Low and mid-skilled manufacturing jobs have been shrinking, due to cheap labor abroad, not to mention the long habit, like circuit board printing and assembly, of low-tech jobs going overseas since the ‘70s, spinning off lower wage earners here to service these products. To block this runaway tide, the government should absorb the bulk of medical insurance to keep US companies relatively competitive, and engage the obvious need for massive infrastructure and environmental initiatives for the future. Though surely college grads will be needed to set the blueprints, rather than the cry that a college education, will cure this shrinkage of the middle class — highly unlikely in face of the growing menial services — there is need for a realistic training program for the skills necessary for reconstruction and innumerable spinoff employment.
Before the laissez-faire disciples cry out, permit this defense: the government can only set the stage; it is up to entrepreneurs, contractors and labor establishments to do the hard work as was the case during the depression. Admittedly the national debt will explode when enacted, but in the long run it will pay off big time by ever-increasing revenues from higher wages and modest incremental tax increases. If we can mortgage our country for defense, we can do the same to protect the nation’s standard of living which also is a matter not only beneficial to a powerful democracy but also to preserve its viability and independence. Actually the current flimflam economy supposedly doing well is on borrowed time, not only by the billions owed to foreign countries, but the millions of individuals beholden to the credit card and equity loans, annihilating any gain from the Bush tax cuts, except for the top 10 percent that are well-heeled to rapidly pay down their personal debts.
Moreover, by relieving corporations of runaway health costs, the nation can begin to take back its industry which is so necessary for the defense of this nation, and as a bonus Rosie the Riveter will take back her job from Tokyo Rose.
Copyright © 2004 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: October 5, 2004.
http://stevendedalus.joeuser.com