Despite the paralysis in Washington, D.C., there is a consensus that job creation is a prime policy objective. A new analysis of American employment from the McKinsey Global Institute, the nonprofit research arm of the big consultancy firm, sheds welcome light on a murky subject. The current “jobless recovery” is a new phenomenon in post–World War II history, an ugly hall (...)
Columnists
The New Normal?
WHY SO MANY AMERICANS REMAIN UNEMPLOYED
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All the excuses cited for the lack of a rebound in employment blame the workers, not the firms. Then the old saw that we have an obsolete work force is trotted out. Again, fixing blame among the working class for all not having college or even advanced degrees. We don't need PHD plumbers or electricians. We can use former auto or appliance assembly line workers on solar panel and wind turbine assembly lines. We could dominate the electric car market, the high speed rail market, the efficient goods transport market by employing our intelligent use of already skilled and dedicated labor as well as design and manufacturing innovation. What would really impact the corporacracy would be a vigorous WPA and CCC program that enabled out of work folk to earn a decent and dignified living without asking if you want fries with that. It would then compete with the bottom feeders of the corporate labor market by offering living wages and decent benefits. And with those wages, they could even afford to order something besides from the 'dollar menu.' The other bonus? We get our money's worth in new and improved streets, roads, schools, public buildings, libraries, natural recreation and community art. The cost? chump change. The benefit? Priceless.