Republicans have fought social programs like a national health care initiative that would reduce health care costs for working families (and small and large business owners) by socializing medical costs and insurance premiums. They prefer putting hundreds of billions in the pockets of military contractors rather than in much more broadly beneficial social investments. They favor privatization, deregulation and lower taxes for the wealthy - turning trillions in national resources over to the anarchy of the so-called free market.
Planned investment, akin to a new New Deal in manufacturing (through building infrastructure, eco-friendly public and private transportation, building schools, hospitals and libraries) and agricultural development would likely have a more positive impact in the long term on the economy than tinkering with exchange and interest rates.
Indeed, a structural adjustments that fostered a strong, organized US working class with a high standard of living might be the remedy for the apparent impasse with China on the currency and trade issue. Both sides could come to the table in a cooperative spirit with trade based on comparative advantage, not military muscle, debt-credit leveraging, and back-door political intrigues that threaten peace.
It could be done, but the Republicans, the irresponsible, shortsighted party of corporate short-term profit, have no interest in it.
--Joel Wendland is managing editor of Political Affairs and will be door-knocking and phone-banking this fall to bring down the corrupt Republican Congress.
Planned investment, akin to a new New Deal in manufacturing (through building infrastructure, eco-friendly public and private transportation, building schools, hospitals and libraries) and agricultural development would likely have a more positive impact in the long term on the economy than tinkering with exchange and interest rates.
Indeed, a structural adjustments that fostered a strong, organized US working class with a high standard of living might be the remedy for the apparent impasse with China on the currency and trade issue. Both sides could come to the table in a cooperative spirit with trade based on comparative advantage, not military muscle, debt-credit leveraging, and back-door political intrigues that threaten peace.
It could be done, but the Republicans, the irresponsible, shortsighted party of corporate short-term profit, have no interest in it.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
