Gee, Duncan, I don't feel like arguing about economics, which as I stated, are not my strong suit. However, I do believe all the statistics I have read recently indicate that the upper class is becoming smaller (although controlling more of the wealth), and more of the middle class is becoming poor. I will have to do some more research.
There is not doubt that Jimmy Carter left the economy in shambles, and Reagan inherited a mess. I do seem to remember a general lack of compassion, however, which seemed to develop during the Reagan years. I don't believe macroeconomic trends have much to do with the policies of presidents, and I would agree with you that Clinton got lucky on that one.
I would not want to go back to a brawn-based economy, but we do need to figure out how to improve our education system so that Americans are well trained for the jobs of the future. While I do not envy people with a lot of money, I think there needs to be enough fairness so that people working hard full time are able to house and feed and clothe their families, which is no longer the case in California, for example, where many homeless people do work fulltime. Certainly, there is a point where wealth becomes greed, particularly in the salaries and bonuses of companies where profits are being made but not much is being returned to shareholders.
I would be curious to know more about your feelings on unions. I believe they become more popular when employers become too greedy and unfair, and there is increased unionization of professional groups like nurses now in California, because they cannot take the workload anymore.
Christine (Hanoi Jane here) |
