To Fix The Economy, Let's Print Money & Mail It To Everyone

[abelenkpe]

33. A one time check to people would do nothing to cure the problems facing the working class

What US workers need are steady secure jobs with benefits. Workers need countervailing tariffs and/or tax penalties for corporations that offshore jobs. We need to lower the cost of higher education so that kids who work their butts off through school earning high GPA's and entry into college aren't rewarded for their efforts by being saddled with debt. Workers need strong global unions to counter the power of global corporations that currently pit workers in different regions against one another.

If everyone in the lower 80 percent were sent a large one time check that money would immediately go to service the debts they already struggle to service. It would be a relief to many, but short lived. It wouldn't cause inflation because it would be a one time event. Only long term steady salary and benefit increases that exceeded current inflation in energy, housing and food would spur inflation. Claiming this proposal would cause inflation does not take into account how globalization, financialization and automation have effected our economy.

See:
http://prospect.org/article/40-year-slump (for another view)

Or just read the entire article posted above which also points out that one time cash events would not cause inflation

There have been others who have argued for a national income for everyone. We live in a time where available jobs just don't keep up with population growth and employers see no reason to increase wages or benefits for workers. What is clear is that to do nothing to alleviate the economic pressure on the working class and address inequality will only make matters worse in the future. So it's good that people are discussing different approaches.