Every time a society faces crisis management, it is always a convenient time to talk about what's working in society and what's not working, to talk about what's fair, in light of inequities. In a country where the economic model is not principally based on fairness, but on the principal that rewards come to those that work the hardest and smartest, to obtain the life for themselves, that they desire, the debate over hard work vs. circumstance arises. It is our privilege, and inalienable right in America
The above article gives some good analysis of the private vs. public sector debate that's very hot right now in the media. Currently this debate has grown dramatically due to the burdens we all collectively share as a society and as state budget offices and politicians come closer to decision making time on what cuts need to be made. At least most of society is still feeling the crunch, enduring remnants of the 2008 financial meltdown and depressed 401k's, and we may be feeling the effects of other economic, and fiscal woes relating to how good or not so good a job government has done with managing state funds and dealing with addressing it's inefficiencies. We also face increases and disparities in health care with costs skyrocketing past the growth of real wages, and the same goes for property taxes. These are really big problems with many answers on the table as to how to tackle them. But we are addressing them. People still do want their kids to have a better life than they lead, although the trend points towards pessimism at this very moment. There are signs out there that people aren't as hopeful about a better tomorrow as they used to be. We are living in some of the starkest financial times we've faced in our nation's history, and while trends seem to point to our unraveling, and points to many reasons to see the glass as half empty, it always comes down to a choice that we make.
Despite the seemingly overwhelming evidence that society is on the brink, with a middle class that seems to be deteriorating, with those who are at or close to the bottom, sinking to all time lows...all of this occurring as the top 1% in this country seem to be moving up to a 3rd east side (Jefferson's reference). As Americans, most of us work very hard in life to reach our goals but sometimes a lack the imagination and ingenuity to strike while the iron is hot. We let things get cold, and then need to start a fire again. I think it is at monumental times where in the face of very challenging situations where we ask the questions: What do I value? What is important to me? How do we move on or move forward? Am I on the right path? Am I doing all I can to support my family? Am I doing enough to help my community? I think for many, it is in the darker times in our history where we get closer to our true essence as Americans. It's time for a check up and re-evaluation.
In Defense of the Public Sector
In response to what is going on in Wisconsin
My main impetus for writing is in response to the actions being taken by the State government in Wisconsin and my thought process regarding not only the problem over banning collective bargaining rights for unions, but also over societal discrepancies in competitive pay for employees when you look at the major trends including the widening gap between rich and poor, health care costs increasing at several times the rate of real wages, and the fact that average middle income has gone down in the past 10 years, but top earners average pay has gone up. The intent is not to attack the wealthy, but is to show the societal shift in priorities that's happening around us.
Moving forward, I think two things need to happen to achieve a more equitable playing field in the job market throughout the country, the main focus for change being on the private sector, where the majority of citizens are employed. I'm hoping that we not only see an increase in jobs and that the government assist in this effort to strengthen private sector growth, but that the private sector growth indicate and result in an increase in a more fair wage, an increase in wages for all, rather than the game being so fixed. Too much of the profits trend towards the top 1%-10% of wage earners. No one seems to want to slice it a little more evenly. We've seen this trend to be increasingly evident since the bank bailouts, with large insurance, oil, and banks scoring record profits. At the end of the day, capitalism, which considers an economic system where the means of production are privately owned and operated for profit, does not take into account fairness, decency or egalitarianism per se. As a result, you often have government "meddling" in the affairs of business, regulating and making more laws to protect consumers. Businesses don't seem to want to get their act together on their own accord.
Even before the wheels of capitalism really started churning in this country, as far back as the late 1700's the Federalist papers, written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison stated (cite Fed Paper 51), that "if all men were created angels, there would be no need for government." Government, even when it gets too fat, is the foremost, primary and cohesive element in society that upholds justice, freedom, consists of a system of checks and balances, and maintains order. My intent is not to promote wealth redistribution but to first consider the spirit of what we are, as American citizens, and what we could be, and more importantly, why that matters. (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/egalitarianism/)
Even before the wheels of capitalism really started churning in this country, as far back as the late 1700's the Federalist papers, written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison stated (cite Fed Paper 51), that "if all men were created angels, there would be no need for government." Government, even when it gets too fat, is the foremost, primary and cohesive element in society that upholds justice, freedom, consists of a system of checks and balances, and maintains order. My intent is not to promote wealth redistribution but to first consider the spirit of what we are, as American citizens, and what we could be, and more importantly, why that matters. (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/egalitarianism/)
Currently, the public sector has been taking a lot of heat, especially during the past 2 years as states have faced mounting deficits. I believe two things will arise from this:
Unions do need to take consideration of our fiscal situation, because every citizen essentially pays for public workers. Unions will make compromises if they are smart and want to have a lasting impact on the well being of each worker. It's true that many of our current benefit structures are unsustainable.
Although what is going on in Wisconsin is spreading a whole different tune. The Governor has made them the particular focus in the budget battle. Are the existence of unions the reason why the fiscal crisis happened? I think we all know the answer is no to that. Some politicians out there, like Governor Scott Walker are orchestrating conservative power plays to make unions the scapegoats for the existing budget crisis' that states around the country are facing. There's just more to the puzzle than Scott Walker would like you to believe and he somehow things America is stupid enough to believe him. There are two articles I liked in the NYT regarding what's going on inWisconsin
1) Whereas the private sector used to have a higher prevalence of unions, that has not been the trend in recent years. I have not only thought about the implications of no bargaining rights for unions in Wisconsin and the effects of such legislation, but I believe this will spurn a national debate, perhaps the return of private sector unions, and I believe closer attention will be paid to the private sector. Most of the jobs in this country are produced there, and I believe that most of our inequity comes from vast fortune 500 companies who would benefit if they reconsidered their pay structures.
2) Existing public sector unions across the country need to be willing to compromise with states and governments and agree on what is fiscally sustainable for society.
Although what is going on in Wisconsin is spreading a whole different tune. The Governor has made them the particular focus in the budget battle. Are the existence of unions the reason why the fiscal crisis happened? I think we all know the answer is no to that. Some politicians out there, like Governor Scott Walker are orchestrating conservative power plays to make unions the scapegoats for the existing budget crisis' that states around the country are facing. There's just more to the puzzle than Scott Walker would like you to believe and he somehow things America is stupid enough to believe him. There are two articles I liked in the NYT regarding what's going on in
The other important article is about the Koch Brothers and the minds behind Governor Scott Walker and taking away collective bargaining rights. If you don't know much about the battle in Wisconsin
More Fairness in Dividing the Economic Pie and Entitlements? Wait, Hold the Phone On My Share!
A successful and long lasting model should drive innovation and competition similarly to the way we do and should at least place good value in those keys to success, but I'd be an advocate for one in which there is more equality, in which a greater percentage of people have more access to the economic pie. And no I'm not talking about the widely perceived "free handouts," increasing government subsidies, welfare checks or unsustainable entitlement programs on current projections. Let be me clear that I'm not putting negative connotations on these programs either. There are a myriad of misconceptions in existence for those aforementioned "entitlement programs" I named above and certainly trimming the fat is going on all over our state and our nation. Service programs are being cut left and right and have been for the past two years.
Most conservatives will spin these programs negatively if you let them and most of the time it is due to either their costs or the fact that they are inherently unnecessary. But if you consider what is at the heart of these programs you might think differently. If you were to look at New York's welfare system or if you take a good look at welfare programs that exist here in New York, let alone the new programs proposed in our state's budget this year, many are built on self-sufficiency models. You've probably even heard the name "Welfare to Work." The state and our nation continue to work hard to stop and prevent waste. Remember that you're only going to hear negative stories coming from the media. Most people, I believe really only understand about 1/3 of the role of government and the rest are assumptions and slander. Thousands of people in New York
Many people criticize programs such as these a) because they don't know much about them, or b) because they simply believe that they waste taxpayers money; that they are economically unwise because they've heard stories of the poor "milking the system." Yes, and in fact a "bleeding heart liberal" probably did come up with this idea, to help the poor and vulnerable. The bleeding heart mantra really gets to me after a while. I really need to commend that person for their ability to look at the world with compassion. But at the end of the day, where would we be without compassion? Does anyone think of that? Where would we be without the compassion that our mothers showed to us at an early age? Where would we be without our families? Do we ever think of what it really would be like to grow up without a family, or with a mother or a father that could only give us 10% of the love we were shown because they were incapable, didn't know how, or didn't possess the skill or education? Helping families to become self sufficient is one of the most charitable services the state and our nation offers it's citizens, to those people that were not as lucky as perhaps we were. Not only are state programs like "Welfare to Work charitable, but also economically wise because we have enabled another family to start working, contributing, educating and providing good role models for their kids and communities.
The state does not only use taxpayer dollars to enhance our own lives, but the lives of all, including the downtrodden, less fortunate, and the vulnerable. The goal in my mind is to create a rising tide where all boats are lifted up, not just some. I think it is very easy to think at times of how we see ourselves within the limits of our own choices and actions, within our own spheres of influence. But the spheres of influence over a state and nation go beyond that which we are many times capable of seeing ourselves or fully understanding.
In life, I have had the privilege of being exposed to and nurtured by some of the Christian traditions and moreover Ignatian traditions, by being congnizant and aware of the needs of others, especially those that are less fortunate. I recognize the value in state programs like the ones I mentioned above that enable families to feel their worth, and to participate in an economy such as ours that is heavily dependent upon participation and contribution. Through the tax code, the State and Federal Governments assure that we all contribute to the good of society and society's neediest members, that serves a purpose which transcends the natural human tendency to be selfish. This is at the core of all of our state service programs, and is at the very heart of all our charitable, civic and religious organizations and institutions. Giving, whether it be through the tax code written into law by the caretakers of the state, or through one's own selfless giving, it is the intent, heart and foresight behind these acts that matter.
ACTUALLY, LOOK UNDER THAT ROCK - THERE'S MORE INEQUITY
I've always been a pretty grateful person. I attribute this to my upbringing, my Dad's strong values when it comes to hard work, compassion for those that have very little in this world in comparison, and to a general sense of gratitude that comes with each passing day. We are a very lucky and blessed people, me and you. Many times I've heard people say "capitalism is the reason why the US
Would you agree that the overall success of a company heavily depends on the merits and the collective brain power of those working beneath and alongside the upper management of a firm? Take any Bank of America, Con-Edison or United Health Care - their raw success is an extension of the knowledge base accumulated and developed and put forth by the multitude of employees from which contributions are made daily, great and small. Today companies and organizations have become more complex and the sharing of knowledge is more prevalent than ever before. There's no right or wrong way to advocate on behalf of middle America where such disparity exists. Now is also time to create incentives for a fairer pay structure in private industry, a new measuring stick, but where merit and performance remain highly valued.
Apart from the importance that merit and performance plays, it is my opinion that when a CEO makes $28 Million a year, when the average workers are making $35,000 to $40,000, and when there are some lower on the pay scale that don't even receive health care benefits, are we about to say that the large gaps in pay constitute the difference in performance? In this instance, the CEO makes 800 times more than the worker that makes $35,000. To me, this is an example of a company that places the value of their bottom line far and above how they place value with their employees. Is it because companies would loose their competitive edge if they redistributed profits to employees across the board? Wouldn't this mean happier workers? Wouldn't that lead to increasing employee longevity, less turnover, and less time and money allocated to training new employees? In absentia: common sense, fairness, and real time economics.
Apart from the importance that merit and performance plays, it is my opinion that when a CEO makes $28 Million a year, when the average workers are making $35,000 to $40,000, and when there are some lower on the pay scale that don't even receive health care benefits, are we about to say that the large gaps in pay constitute the difference in performance? In this instance, the CEO makes 800 times more than the worker that makes $35,000. To me, this is an example of a company that places the value of their bottom line far and above how they place value with their employees. Is it because companies would loose their competitive edge if they redistributed profits to employees across the board? Wouldn't this mean happier workers? Wouldn't that lead to increasing employee longevity, less turnover, and less time and money allocated to training new employees? In absentia: common sense, fairness, and real time economics.
CONCLUSION
I've had ample opportunity to think long and hard about how blessed I am, but it should be acknowledged that living in this country has a price. The price we pay to live and make difficult choices, and the sacrifices we make every day, count big. In the greatest country on the earth, we earn our opportunities, freedom, ability to access information and carve our path to happiness and I think it is important while we think of these wonderful gifts that hold intrinsic value, that we also recall the importance of accountability.
My hope is that something here might create in you the impetus to step forward and to find the passion where your growing desire might serve to meet the world's need in some way. Maybe you're already doing that and that's a great thing. It doesn't have to be anything big and even can be something small. In the words of Mother Theresa "We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love" Although society and the problems we face collectively can be complex, and can overwhelm us, we can hold simplicity and a sense of optimism in our hearts. Looking within oneself prompts the generation of ideas, creativity, compassion, and community; they help us to cultivate a sense of our own worth. It's not everything outside of you, the nice house or the next car, or the next smart device that are worth their weight in gold, it is what we discover when we look within, when we realize how on fire we are for humanity, that truly adds value to the lives we lead. This is what the world is waiting for.
My hope is that something here might create in you the impetus to step forward and to find the passion where your growing desire might serve to meet the world's need in some way. Maybe you're already doing that and that's a great thing. It doesn't have to be anything big and even can be something small. In the words of Mother Theresa "We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love" Although society and the problems we face collectively can be complex, and can overwhelm us, we can hold simplicity and a sense of optimism in our hearts. Looking within oneself prompts the generation of ideas, creativity, compassion, and community; they help us to cultivate a sense of our own worth. It's not everything outside of you, the nice house or the next car, or the next smart device that are worth their weight in gold, it is what we discover when we look within, when we realize how on fire we are for humanity, that truly adds value to the lives we lead. This is what the world is waiting for.
No comments:
Post a Comment