Why are so many Americans unemployed and underemployed? And what could we do about it? (Oped News)

(I like this article because of the content focused on "what could we do about it?" The author speaks of something I'm a huge proponent of: cooperative enterprises.)


Some folks say it's our moral obligation to spend as much as possible on the goods and services that are produced in the US. Why? Because the more we spend on that stuff, the more jobs that are going to be created, producing the stuff. There are now 7 million fewer jobs in the US than there were before the recession started. Somehow we gotta bring back those 7 million jobs. Is the only solution to this problem to successfully encourage more people to consume more stuff -- specifically more in the way of American made stuff?

Here are some alternatives.

Were it not for Republican and blue dog Democrat opposition to greatly increased amounts of infrastructure spending, we could certainly increase the number of available jobs greatly by implementing a massive infrastructure repair and rebuilding program. For that matter, we could also implement the construction of entirely new, and hopefully green-oriented, infrastructure -- stuff like a new energy grid and huge new arrays of electricity-generating wind-turbines and solar energy collectors.

We could of course also increase the number of jobs by cutting the length of the work week by some significant amount, and/or by some combination of lowering the retirement age, increasing the length of (paid) maternity and paternity leave and paid vacations. But of course the owners of businesses would be up in arms by any movement in any of these directions. Why? Because they want to continue hogging all the benefits from our nation's growing productivity, and don't want to share any of those benefits with workers, no how, no way.

We could also increase the number of available jobs by greatly increasing the size and length of unemployment benefits. Then, providing it wasn't that difficult for any given individual to transition from work to compensated unemployment, far more people would occasionally chose the unemployment option for as much as a year or two at a time, thereby making their former jobs available to someone else.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Why-are-so-many-American-u-by-Richard-Clark-110105-306.html

Isn't that a no no here?

though I only read through once and was more focused on the section regarding cooperative ventures.

"We could also increase the number of available jobs by greatly increasing the size and length of unemployment benefits. Then, providing it wasn't that difficult for any given individual to transition from work to compensated unemployment, far more people would occasionally chose the unemployment option for as much as a year or two at a time, thereby making their former jobs available to someone else. "

but not from a progressive mindset, given the totality of what else the author wrote about.

My interpretation of the article was about a more progressive, wholistic approach to society and how to provide gainful employment and basic needs for as many people as possible, with extended and expanded unemployment benefits being one way of doing so.

I can't say I understand the viability of this particular part of it, but I didn't interpret it in the same way you did.

:hi:

My situation has always felt shaky to me, but I am severely overworked, so I used to dream about being unemployed and sitting around for half a year. Its always been my fall back position. That is why when people say the unemployed would rather work I'm skeptical.

it's a difference of wanting a break, versus being unemployed. The verbiage of "being unemployed" has much more meaning and implicates a long-term thing, something which I don't believe most people want unless they're financially able to entertain the idea (having a safety net beyond unemployment benefits).

I haven't had a vacation since the late 80s and have worked at least 60 hours a week since that time (except for a three-week maternity leave); live paycheck to paycheck, no benefits, blah, blah, blah.

As of this morning I find I may be without an income suddenly, and while a break is beyond needed, I'm petrified (especially since I'm self-employed).

I get needing a break; being unemployed is very different.

Good luck. Lots of things are certainly shaky. :hug:

My coworker just had her job reduced to a part time job. If I'm expected to work another 10 hours a week to make up for it I'm going to crack because I'm already working 9-11 hours a day.

or have already done so. Things must change in a huge way.

Good luck.

:hug:

roads and bridges fixed, wifi throughout the country, on and on.............
instead we get wars and tax cuts for the rich.
There is so much work that needs to be done

Go shopping.