This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
Neoliberal harshness imposes crushing burdens. Over time, things worsen. Last July, Haaretz headlined "Why Israelis will never attain Western living standards," saying:
Someone has to pay for defense. Netanyahu advanced inequality. It didn't begin with him. For decades, Israeli social spending lagged other developed countries.
In the past decade, the gap between rich and poor widened dramatically. The disease hits Americans hard. Reasons in both countries are similar.
Guns are prioritized over butter. Wealth, power and privilege most of all. Neoliberal harshness is policy. People needs get short shrift.
Living standards in both countries rank lowest among OECD countries. They top the inequality scale. Unprecedented wealth disparity between rich and poor reflects it.
Israel ranks 29th among 36 countries on investment in education. It's third from last in health spending. It's 25th in overall quality of life, and dead last in responsible government administration.
Netanyahu claims smaller government, lower corporate/rich elite taxes, mass privatizations, eroding wages, and less social spending create economic growth. Inequality is a small price to pay, he claims.
Growing poverty and unmet needs suggest otherwise. Relief from intolerable conditions drives some to leave. Others go because better opportunities exist elsewhere.
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
2
2
2
