Why this country needs us ...
I just came across an important article titled The Middle Class: How We Got One and Why We Need to Keep It, by Lincoln Mitchell of the Harriman Institute, Columbia University.
First comes the statement that "being middle class is part of our national ethos." And ok, although it is difficult, I will refrain from kibitzing along the way (smile) as the article lays out the point ...
"... The notion of the middle class both defines and is defined by America. The U.S. was the first country where a large middle class emerged and where blue collar workers ... enjoyed middle class lifestyles ... By the middle of the 20th century, while many European countries had working class political movements, our politics were framed by middle class politics and values."
As the article explains, "In the U.S. being middle class does not just imply a particular financial state but a set of values and even a way of life ... broadly shared by ... Americans in general."
How did this happen? Due to ... "enormous investments in physical, social and human infrastructure, beginning in the late 19th century, accelerating in the 1930s, but continuing for decades after, were the collective midwife of the American middle class."
"... If the middle class in the U.S. continues to wither away due to recession, constant unemployment, government polices that are not supportive ... and that outsource jobs overseas, it will not just be formerly middle class Americans who will suffer."
"It will be difficult for American society and democracy to hold together. A large and stable middle class has been central to America's wealth and stability for decades; without this middle class the country's future will be in great peril."
The question is why Republicans/Conservatives/Tea Partiers and many CEOs do not seem to comprehend this bottom line?
Read it here:
Positively,
Carolan
"
First comes the statement that "being middle class is part of our national ethos." And ok, although it is difficult, I will refrain from kibitzing along the way (smile) as the article lays out the point ...
"... The notion of the middle class both defines and is defined by America. The U.S. was the first country where a large middle class emerged and where blue collar workers ... enjoyed middle class lifestyles ... By the middle of the 20th century, while many European countries had working class political movements, our politics were framed by middle class politics and values."
As the article explains, "In the U.S. being middle class does not just imply a particular financial state but a set of values and even a way of life ... broadly shared by ... Americans in general."
How did this happen? Due to ... "enormous investments in physical, social and human infrastructure, beginning in the late 19th century, accelerating in the 1930s, but continuing for decades after, were the collective midwife of the American middle class."
"... If the middle class in the U.S. continues to wither away due to recession, constant unemployment, government polices that are not supportive ... and that outsource jobs overseas, it will not just be formerly middle class Americans who will suffer."
"It will be difficult for American society and democracy to hold together. A large and stable middle class has been central to America's wealth and stability for decades; without this middle class the country's future will be in great peril."
The question is why Republicans/Conservatives/Tea Partiers and many CEOs do not seem to comprehend this bottom line?
Read it here:
Positively,
Carolan
"
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