by J.S. Buford
I can hear the chorus of voices all set and ready to debunk the notion that the United States is in serious, serious trouble.
However, what happens to a nation that invests more in its prisons than the education of its people? The signs are there aren’t they. What happens when communities become more efficient at producing fodder for the prison industrial complex rather than Nobel Prize laureates? Too lofty…how about college graduates then.
What does it mean when a grossly undereducated population is faced with the reality that they are not prepared to take on the demand of a 21rst century market place?
What does it mean when a nation spends more than it saves? What happens when a household spends 120% of its income?
The massive stimulus package was proffered as a means to jump-start the U.S. economy. It is not the solution to our nation’s woes. Unless, you are one of a handful of corporate banking and finance institutions that gulped down billions of dollars, while refusing to quote unquote share the wealth with the thousands of small businesses that employ the supermajority of U.S. citizens.
Let’s revisit the production question though, and let’s assume that green technology will ultimately be one of the industries that will ultimately lead to wealth generation in the future. What does it mean when countries like China for instance are light years ahead of us in this respect?
Is it not frightening?
Indeed, while it may be entertaining to watch the circus transpiring on Capital Hill as politicians bicker and posture to win elections, where is the resolve and intellectual prowess required to steer this country in a direction that will spur the transformation of our economy?
Yes, we have the most impressive military on the face of the earth, but bombing people into oblivion does not put food on the table. After all, after awhile it becomes very difficult to stick out your chest and exert might on an empty stomach.
Here’s a thought? So, citizens are required to carry car insurance right? However, we all know a huge swath of the U.S. population can’t afford it, and consequently are criminalized because forced to choose between paying rent, making mortgages payments, and feeding their children, many simply forego acquiring insurance. So state governments are willing to force citizens to acquire coverage they can’t afford, yet do nothing to check absurd rates charged by insurance companies who could give a rat’s ass whether families are on their knuckles or not.
Now imagine a similar relationship between the health insurance industry and the government?
Does this not amount to government subsidizing of corporate greed? Aren’t our elected officials supposed to be working on behalf of U.S. citizens? Is it reasonable to believe that politicians are more vested in insuring the welfare of citizens, than the proclivities of corporations that contribute millions of dollars to their re-election campaigns?
All the government bureaucracy; government stagnation; all the corporate capital… is this the extent democracy can achieve? Is this democracy or plutocracy at work?
Are the aforementioned questions just cacophonies? Is everything ok, or are we basking in the inebriation of arrogance? Are we not in serious trouble?