Economic Justice

[Sancho]

21. Let's think about it....

You have to raise taxes on the wealthiest, and not just income taxes.

With the GOP in control and most signing pledges to "not raise taxes", this is difficult. Trillions are sheltered offshore, and the sequester is a result of attempting to let the tax cuts expire. Corporate loopholes is likely the easiest target. This is not "raising taxes", but shutting off the spigot to transferring money to tax havens.

One of the easiest ways to raise taxes would be to give a path to citizenship for the "underground economy" that includes millions (15 to 20 estimated) of undocumented people. As they become part of the system, it brings in new dollars. The wealthy take advantage of the undocumented now. This would not "raise taxes" technically, but would bring in new tax dollars.

You have to raise the cap on Social Security.

SS is VERY complex! For a fun reference, read "Get What's Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security". Raising the cap is one idea and maybe that could happen if it was phased in over time. Increasing the number of folks who MUST contribute to SS also would help. Again, look at the undocumented pool! BTW, Hillary has figured out the economic benefits of a path to citizenship for everyone! Reforming the SSDI, the spouse benefits, and the required number of working quarters to qualify would also help. Likely there should also be a means test on receiving SS benefits.

Invest in communities and schools in a significant way

The reason this is dicy is because it's often a state or local function. Faced with crazy GOP governors and legislatures who want to privatize schools, sacrifice communities to make a profit, and corporate lobbies who don't care about the environment; well, you need to win some local and state elections. That means getting rid of gerrymandering, fixing the voting problems, and including the millions of undocumented. Again, a path to citizenship and improved voting rights would make more differences to communities and schools than anything else.

Invest massively in our crumbling infrastructure, creating jobs

This needs a federal WPA. It's disappointing that Obama didn't try harder for a federal work program. Meanwhile, the sequester and "no more taxes" limits the current spending to things like the gas tax and other consumption taxes. Maybe the country will rise up and call for improved infrastructure, but not likely. This differs widely across the country. The NE has older infrastructure than Texas for example, so it becomes a regional fight for resources that will be difficult.

Provide quality affordable childcare

Arne and Obama dropped the ball on this one. Childcare affects immigrants, minorities, and the poor more than anything else. It's confusing if you consider this part of "education" (like preschool), then it becomes a state function and is roadblocked by the repubs. It also requires licensing and oversight (usually a state function). The only hope is add some minimal federal block program and require all states to have childcare for the low income families. The FMLA could be expanded (maybe). It would be a tough sell.

Ensure affordable housing through expanding section 8, rent control, mixed income housing,etc

Again, a path to citizenship would add a lot of voters who are currently crowded into substandard housing, but have no voice. Rent control is more of a big urban issue, but federal subsidized housing has been around for a long time, but it's poorly managed. Carter's Homes for Humanity was a great effort that gave a sense of dignity to people. I think we've learned that people have to have a stake in their living space.

Raise the minimum wage to a living wage

This is confounded because it's a number that's always chasing it's tail. If people get FAIR wages, through equal pay for women, minorities, immigrants, and seniors - then the minimum wage becomes less a problem. Also, the best way to raise wages is encourage UNIONS and collective bargaining! Even if every paycheck is not part of a union, the union wages set the standard that others must match. Unions also fight for other conditions of employment (safety, retirement, insurance, etc.). Everyone wants to raise the minimum wage, but without dealing with the other problems, it won't help much. Remember that the 20 million undocumented can't demand a "minimum wage" - they have to take what they can get. If they are citizens, it floats all the boats.

Repair and strengthen the social safety net

The GOP has been trying to privatize or destroy the safety net. It's true that Scandinavia has a great example of a safety net, but it's not clear if that system would work in the US. This could be VERY expensive. Likely, putting money into education, universal health care, child care, etc. would reduce the need for a large "emergency" safety net. The easiest thing would be to turn public schools into community social centers with lots of services.

Ensure affordable healthcare

I think we all want a single-payer system. Until some individual states make it work, we won't see it spread. Medicare for all would be possible. That's one reason that the GOP is fighting Medicaid expansion. They see health care creep will ultimately include everyone.

Make post high school education affordable

This is a state function. If Bernie's Robin Hood tax was implemented; it would tax the retirement funds of union and public employees plus states would simply raise tuition in order to get more money from the Feds!!! The STATES are the ones who have stopped supporting higher education - they want to privatize education to make a PROFIT. We need to fix voting so we can put a stop to the crazy GOP governors and legislatures - then they would support higher education. Community colleges have expanded. More people are going to college than ever before. To make it less costly, take out the profit incentive and make it public/non-profit. Look up the Land Grant initiative to see an example of the impact of federal legislation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land-grant_university

Invest in programs for at risk youth

The most "at risk" youth for education and jobs are women, minorities, and immigrants. Those groups need to be empowered so their parents can register and vote, form unions, get a fair treatment from the courts and NLRB. That means new transparency laws (on salary for example), but also appointed officials and judges. Don't privatize "white flight" schools with charters and vouchers. Support expanded education programming, and make public schools social service centers!

Cut our obscenely bloated defense budget

Absolutely. The defense budget should be capped at some per cent of the GDP or something. It's been out of control since WWII.

Finally, one of the BIGGEST ways to fix economic justice would be to make POST OFFICES into public BANKS - like big credit unions. Highly regulated, non-profit, and with no speculation or real estate investments. People (including the low income) would be able to save, get loans, and bank with security. It would put the big Goldman Sachs out of the abuse business! You didn't mention that idea.