In this space, we’ve often written about how the American economy is a shell of its former self-and will continue to be as long as the status quo remains. We feel a bit obligated to beat this drum because few in the national media want to focus on why this economy sputters along-and how it can truly get back on track.
Sure, there is much talk about an eroding American middle class. You can’t pick up a daily newspaper or turn on some loudmouth on a cable news network without reading or hearing about the turmoil facing those caught in the middle of an ever-widening economic gap.
Fingerpointing and talking points abound from all sides as to the problem’s causes and potential solutions to the sputtering economy. Mixed in with all the talk is the general condemnation of a federal government seemingly incapable of doing anything constructive on behalf of the American people.
Let’s look at the situation point by point:
– Over the last five decades, American industry has moved overseas, the product of very generous free trade agreements. This has elevated the economies of previously third-world and/or communist nations at the expense of our own economy.
– The low-wage service industry in this country is booming, with many stores selling discounted-but not-necessarily higher quality-items made overseas.
– As wages have fallen, Americans have come to accept cheaper goods of cheaper quality because such items are the most affordable. This explains the popularity of the discount chain Walmart and the incredible number of dollar stores that keep popping up on Main Streets across the nation.
– Big corporations-and those running them-have never been more successful. They’re make money hand over fist-and when the profits come up short, they often compensate by cutting the working stiffs at the bottom of the food chain.
– High taxes, high employee expenses and a frozen credit market are forcing small businesses not to hire-or to close up shop entirely. It’s almost impossible for a small business to borrow money from a bank these days; just a few years ago, major banks were giving money away recklessly as if they had nothing better to do.
As a result of all this, the raw numbers of unemployed and underemployed Americans-and those now receiving various forms of public benefits-are too high to keep the nation sustainable for very long. What’s the answer from those in charge? One side wants to keep giving money away; the other side wants to cut off the funds and leave struggling Americans with nothing.
Politicians talk about “creating jobs,” but the talk never goes anywhere. The cliché “Actions speak louder than words” is apparently never heard around Capitol Hill. All we hear are words; we never hear of any action on job-creation.
Why should it be so hard for both sides to come together on a jobs bill-one that creates much-needed public works projects while simultaneously offering tax relief to companies big and small to hire employees? Is that really too much to ask?
Every American who wants a good-paying job should be able to find one. The demand for jobs far outweighs the supply, and like it or not, it’s up to all of us to compel Washington to stop ignoring the problem and look it square in the face.
Until the economic indifference ends, we intend to keep hammering the point home: the path to a strong American economy was, is and always shall be good-paying jobs.
