Quote:
Originally Posted by dippin
Pan,
I don't think anyone is disagreeing with the description of the situation. It's just that all these other nations that you are comparing the US to, where the middle class and the poor do better, are also nations that have policies in place that are far to the left of any of the two major US parties, including Obama.
So it strikes people as odd that at the same time that those issues are noted that Obama could be denounced as a far left politician.
There is no magic bullet here. Middle and lower classes in other nations do better than their American counterparts in many areas because of things like more progressive taxation, universal healthcare, more extensive welfare state and other things that would be considered ultra radical over here.
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Well, we are at a crossroads and things are going to get far worse if we do not do something. There is a huge crisis with student loan money... an extremely high rate of defaults that will affect us. Why are there defaults? The pay isn't there and college tuitions have skyrocketed.
There is a magic bullet. Instead of continuing to allow companies like AIG, the banks, and so on give extreme bonuses and salaries, you put a cap on them and give that money to shareholders, the taxpayers, etc.
You raise tariffs for a limited time, to start rebuilding the infrastructure and manufacturing sector. You go back to what worked in the 50's - 80's and rework what was good for the working class. You pass laws that companies doing business in the US must meet or surpass the same OSHA, WAGE and LABOR laws that are implemented in this country. If Nike wants to run sweatshops, then they can't sell product here.
People on here call me a righty.... and in some cases I am. The healthcare Obama offered was extremely wrong, I think for this country a sliding scale fee is far better. I am for states rights and believe in less government in PEOPLE's lives but more regulation and control over the distribution of capital.
I do speak out against the Dems because they seem to want more government in people's lives and where they once were for the working man and fought for worker's rights they sold out and are more worried about the power OVER the people.
The GOP is the GOP, they are controlled by the wealthy and don't give 2 shits about the poor or middle class, economically.
WE are all in this together and it helps NO ONE for the low pay and loss of standard of living we see. We need to make corporations more answerable to the stockholders. Used to be there were nice dividends and people could invest and make some money without having to sell, this also allowed those people getting the dividends more capital to invest and save. The money that went to those dividends now goes into executives wallets.
As wages decrease the workers are going to become more reliant on government in their retirement because we don't make enough to save and prepare. This is going to further burden the future work force and employers.
I am a huge believer in national sovereignty and independence. I believe that countries should only import the materials they need and be self reliant or helped to be made so. This would help EVERY country's economy.
For people to argue that raising wages arbitrarily, while CEO pay can continue to skyrocket and the top 10% continues to accrue all the wealth will make the economy worse are people too blind to see that with out American consumerism and the free spending companies end up hurting more financially. Of course, they just layoff workers, outsource and still give executives raises.
I think a company that lays off people should face a board and explain why the layoffs and that the CEO and executives should be forced to take pay cuts and not receive bonuses.
There are ways to correct this, very simple ways. Obama comes out with a plan that basically states the above and that government will start implementing tight regulations on any company that receives ANY government monies whether through contracts, bailouts or loans. Small businesses are to be somewhat exempt.
Stop worrying about where one can smoke, planned parenthood, lightbulbs made in China that are hazardous waste death traps if one breaks in your house.... and worry about fixing the economy.
Make threats and start bills for regulations.... see how fast things change.
We have been raped, bought and sold by our own people for their own profit and it's time we take back what is the workers.