Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2015 17:25:53 -0400
From: Gretchen Niver
Subject: I get it, too….
I was wondering why certain battling political/personal diatribes have been allowed to continue on this supposed ‘Chathamcentric’ list, but I’ve concluded that these large-scale, national issues trickle down to small-scale, county policies that affect us directly, so I’ll step on into the muck.
I’ll state right up front: I’m a LIBERAL, and proud of it.
The only rights I see trying to be taken away by today’s government are: the right to marry the person of your choice, the right to end an unwanted pregnancy, the right to not have to listen to others’ prayers in public schools or Gov’t. settings, or be disadvantaged by their religious beliefs, the right to have free, (good) PUBLIC education, the right to have safe roads and bridges, the right to have clean water and air, the right to vote, the right to a 40-hour work week that can support a person/family above the poverty level, the right to live your life without fear of being gunned down randomly, accidentally, or with intent…
Without enough taxes our infrastructure and schools fall apart. Without environmental and financial regulations, businesses and big corporations will only pay attention to their bottom line, and these days, they even get to buy elections by being called “people” (Citizens United).
Income inequality was at its highest level ever in 1900, and it was only because of two World Wars and the Great Depression that the playing field was leveled for a time. The mid-20th century allowed us all to believe in an equitable U.S. society built on hard work and education, that created a thriving middle class. A college degree pretty much guaranteed a decent job (my dad’s, thanks to the G.I. Bill, and me, through scholarships, low-interest, national student loans and work-study). That’s no longer the case. Income inequality has bounced back to even higher levels than at the turn of the 20th century. The middle class is shrinking. Those with money will accrue more and more with less effort. That gets passed on to inheritors, who accrue even more. That’s how capital works. (Read “Capital in the 21st Century”, by Piketty.)
I’m not a “socialist,” though as a meaningful, pejorative term, the word is completely outdated, and it’s amazing how often it gets misused. Even the more socialistic Scandinavian countries don’t have completely socialist systems. Pure socialism won’t work, though perhaps various aspects of society may work better when organized that way. Pure capitalism doesn’t seem to be working, either, given our soaring income inequality.
The solutions to our problems aren’t obvious or easy, but they certainly won’t come from doubling down on our current disastrous policies. By only thinking of ourselves, without considering the needs of all in our society, we sow the seeds of our destruction. The attitude “I’ve got mine, get your own,” is shameful, and not what American society was, or should be, built upon.
Gretchen Niver