Friday, August 20, 2010
Forget the Federal Deficit:
By Phillip T. Alden
August 20, 2010
Recently there has been a collective self-flagellation over the size of the federal deficit. Considering the state of our economy, the number of unemployed people about to end up living on the streets, and the continuous cutbacks to the social safety net and education – to worry about state and federal deficits is a waste of time.
We have a national electric grid that badly needs updating, as does our phone grid. (Yes, even with mobile phones we still need the POTS line.) In addition we have hundreds of bridges and roadways that need replacing or repair. In fact, there are probably dozens of national projects that need a major overhaul.
We also need to start massive "green energy" projects and clean up a number of toxic areas in our country. To work against destructive Global Climate Change we need to start with a massive tree-planting project.
What we need is a massive public works program similar to the one we utilized to get ourselves out of the Great Depression. Our state and federal governments should start jobs programs that promise a job to everyone who shows up. If you're a recent college graduate you might not be excited about the idea of planting trees or rebuilding highway bridges – but it beats being unemployed and moving back in with your parents.
There are times to worry about the deficit, but this is not one of those times. With 14-20 million people out of work, (depending upon who you ask,) we need a massive "stimulus" project to get these people working again.
Much needed projects would be accomplished and our country would be truly stronger. Millions of hard-working Americans would not end up homeless. Massive "green" projects, (like tree planting,) would slow destructive Global Climate Change.
I'm not saying we should not be concerned about state and federal deficits, but there are times to worry about such things, and this is not one of them. If we fail to employ the millions of Americans now out of work, (and out of federal unemployment benefits,) our economy and our deficits will get worse, with nothing to balance that out. The massive public works projects I'm proposing would keep people in their homes, keep spending up on things like groceries and clothing, and give a much-needed boost to our economy.
Those in Washington who moan about deficits while ignoring the suffering of the American people are hopelessly out of touch with the country they're supposed to be running. American politicians don't lead. They follow.
China is currently running a "Super-Bubble," (according to a recent article in the Christian Science Monitor.) Their manipulation of their own currency is an attempt to stave off the "downside" when their "Super Bubble" bursts. And when it does it will worsen our economy and the economies of a number of countries.
The American Government has a behavioral pattern. Instead of telling us what is going to happen, they stay silent until the you-know-what hits the fan, then they practice their usual "damage control." We know our government, (with the help of the American mass-media,) has lied to us about nearly everything – from the true state of the economy to the environmental disaster in the Gulf caused by BP.
Things are going to get worse, a lot worse, before they get better.
It's long past time for us to stop worrying about deficits and time to start helping average Americans get back to work. Otherwise, our so-called "Great Recession" could turn into "Great Depression II." We need to stop letting the loose amalgamation of fringe groups known as "The Tea Party" pick the national conversation. That means Democrats and Progressives need to turn off their computers, get up off their lazy butts, and take to the streets.
Or Democrats and Progressives can just continue to sit on their hands while radical (and ignorant) right-wing groups lead the national conversation. They can watch on their computers as our country turns from a bad place to a truly destructive place.
By Phillip T. Alden
August 20, 2010
Recently there has been a collective self-flagellation over the size of the federal deficit. Considering the state of our economy, the number of unemployed people about to end up living on the streets, and the continuous cutbacks to the social safety net and education – to worry about state and federal deficits is a waste of time.
We have a national electric grid that badly needs updating, as does our phone grid. (Yes, even with mobile phones we still need the POTS line.) In addition we have hundreds of bridges and roadways that need replacing or repair. In fact, there are probably dozens of national projects that need a major overhaul.
We also need to start massive "green energy" projects and clean up a number of toxic areas in our country. To work against destructive Global Climate Change we need to start with a massive tree-planting project.
What we need is a massive public works program similar to the one we utilized to get ourselves out of the Great Depression. Our state and federal governments should start jobs programs that promise a job to everyone who shows up. If you're a recent college graduate you might not be excited about the idea of planting trees or rebuilding highway bridges – but it beats being unemployed and moving back in with your parents.
There are times to worry about the deficit, but this is not one of those times. With 14-20 million people out of work, (depending upon who you ask,) we need a massive "stimulus" project to get these people working again.
Much needed projects would be accomplished and our country would be truly stronger. Millions of hard-working Americans would not end up homeless. Massive "green" projects, (like tree planting,) would slow destructive Global Climate Change.
I'm not saying we should not be concerned about state and federal deficits, but there are times to worry about such things, and this is not one of them. If we fail to employ the millions of Americans now out of work, (and out of federal unemployment benefits,) our economy and our deficits will get worse, with nothing to balance that out. The massive public works projects I'm proposing would keep people in their homes, keep spending up on things like groceries and clothing, and give a much-needed boost to our economy.
Those in Washington who moan about deficits while ignoring the suffering of the American people are hopelessly out of touch with the country they're supposed to be running. American politicians don't lead. They follow.
China is currently running a "Super-Bubble," (according to a recent article in the Christian Science Monitor.) Their manipulation of their own currency is an attempt to stave off the "downside" when their "Super Bubble" bursts. And when it does it will worsen our economy and the economies of a number of countries.
The American Government has a behavioral pattern. Instead of telling us what is going to happen, they stay silent until the you-know-what hits the fan, then they practice their usual "damage control." We know our government, (with the help of the American mass-media,) has lied to us about nearly everything – from the true state of the economy to the environmental disaster in the Gulf caused by BP.
Things are going to get worse, a lot worse, before they get better.
It's long past time for us to stop worrying about deficits and time to start helping average Americans get back to work. Otherwise, our so-called "Great Recession" could turn into "Great Depression II." We need to stop letting the loose amalgamation of fringe groups known as "The Tea Party" pick the national conversation. That means Democrats and Progressives need to turn off their computers, get up off their lazy butts, and take to the streets.
Or Democrats and Progressives can just continue to sit on their hands while radical (and ignorant) right-wing groups lead the national conversation. They can watch on their computers as our country turns from a bad place to a truly destructive place.
