Robert Reich: How To Fix The Economy — Step No. 1 & 2 (Demo)

By Gary Reber Uncategorized May 12, 2015

On May 10, 2015 Robert Reich writes on Salon:

A basic moral principle that most Americans agree on is no one who works full time should be in poverty, nor should their family.

Yet over time we’ve seen significant growth in the “working poor” – people working full time, sometimes even 60 or more hours each week, but at such low wages that they remain impoverished.

What to do?

One step is to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. This is winnable. A powerful movement is fighting for $15 an hour and they’re winning new laws in cities and states, and forcing companies to raise wages.

If the minimum wage in 1968 had simply kept up with inflation it would be more than $10 today. If it also kept up with the added productivity of American workers since then, it would be more than $21 an hour.

Some opponents say minimum wage workers are teenagers seeking some extra pocket money.

Wrong. Half are 35 or older, and many are key breadwinners for their families.

And don’t believe scaremongers who say a $15 minimum will cause employers to cut employment.

More money in people’s pockets means more demand for goods and services, which means more jobs not fewer jobs.

Studies also show that when the minimum is raised more people are brought into the pool of potential employees, giving employers more choice of whom to hire. This reduces turnover and helps employers save money.

Finally, employers who don’t pay enough to lift their employees out of poverty are indirectly subsidized by the rest of us – who are paying billions each year in food stamps, Medicaid, housing assistance, and welfare, to make up the difference.

The minimum wage should be raised to $15 an hour. It’s the least that a decent society should require.

http://www.salon.com/2015/05/10/robert_reich_how_to_fix_the_economy_partner/

No one should have to choose between providing for your family and being a good parent. Yet “family-friendly” work is still a pipedream.

Today most parents are also wage earners, whether in a two-parent or single-parent household. Politicians talk a lot about the importance of family, but must do a better job delivering.

Specifically:

– Require that women receive equal pay for equal work.

– Require employers provide predictable hours so workers can plan to be home when their family needs them.

– Provide universal childcare – pre-school and after-school – financed by employers and taxpayers.

– Require that employers offer paid family and medical leave.

The richest nation in the world should enable its workers to be good parents. Family-friendly work isn’t a luxury. People who work hard deserve to make more than a decent living. They and their families deserve a decent life.

http://www.salon.com/2015/05/12/robert_reich_how_to_fix_the_economy_step_no_2_partner/

Robert Reich: How To Fix The Economy — Step No. 1 & 2 (Demo)

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