With the American economy
on a steady recovery since the Obama presidency and the unemployment
rate at record lows, fiscally, it would be the perfect time to
introduce a federal job guarantee for every American. This particular
point in the American economic recovery would be the least costly
time for the Federal government to implement such a program which
would super charge the American economy while eliminating significant
amounts of unnecessary human suffering.
Bold and smart
That is why Bernie
Sanders’ recent call to introduce a federal job guarantee for every
American, with a $15.00 an hour minimum wage and accompanying
supplementary health benefits, is both bold and smart for the
long-term economic health of the United States.
Prepare for future
economic crisis
Trump’s recklessness and
impulsiveness is well-known. While some parts of the economy are in a
relatively reasonable state, how long before any of the economic hand
grenades that he loves to toss around (think tariffs, roll-back of
Dodd-Frank or the tax plan) explodes big time? The economic crisis of
2008 could quite easily come back for an encore any time soon.
Therefore, it is best to build the infrastructure for this important
social and economic program while the American economy is strong.
Minimizes hiring discrimination
A jobs guarantee also
allows for those workers who struggle in the private sector, notably
non-whites, a more level playing field when it comes to being hired
without the spectre of discrimination hanging over them.
Raises wages for all
workers
In addition, the private
sector, notorious for keeping a lid on wages for as long as possible,
would be forced to address how much it paid its employees if the
public sector is paying $15.00 an hour to its employees. Put another
way, why work for $9.00 an hour in the private sector when you could
be working for $15.00 an hour in the public sector? With the current
labor shortage being exacerbated by Trump
immigration policy in key economic sectors, such as construction,
this can be a compelling catalyst for companies to finally begin
raising wages in order to compete for workers.
Revitalizing American
infrastructure
Further, it is no secret
that the infrastructure of the United States is in disrepair. The job
guarantee offers a way to tackle that decay as public works can be
focused upon as the government would be able to target areas for
improvement that the private sector generally avoids. With a stronger
infrastructure, the economy becomes healthier, generates more tax
revenue and more investment can be made.
Political support for
jobs guarantee steadily growing
A federal jobs guarantee
has been an idea that has been in the outer orbit of regular
Democratic thinking for years now. The established mainstream of the
party has traditionally had an aversion to this, opting instead for
public-private partnerships. However, this is starting to change as
many begin to realize a fundamental rethink is needed and that a
federal jobs guarantee is a bone fide way to ensure future economic
growth and stability.
Sanders is not the only
voice calling for a federal jobs guarantee. Support is growing, with
Senators Cory Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand pledging their commitment
to the idea. And recent New York congressional primary winner
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fully
subscribes to the idea as well. Also, former Secretary of Labor,
Robert Reich supports the policy.
A federal jobs guarantee
is no longer fringe-thinking. It is time for liberals, progressives
and Democrats to embrace the concept.
