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Exports
by Sudhama Ranganathan
Monday, Oct. 06, 2008 at 9:32 AM
uconnharassment@gmail.com (email address validated)
Over the last two decades the gap between the rich and the poor decreased significantly. The trend slowed somewhat during the 90’s, but picked up again around 2001. The American middle class saw its income decrease over this time and the current administration did little to nothing to slow the tide. Whether displaced suburbanites feel satisfied their government has done all in its power to help them during the last eight years is questionable at best.
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We have seen little to no gains in income for four out of five income levels in the country the best of these being 1.3%. The top fifth, however made income level gains of 9%. This is not to bash those in that fifth income bracket, but I do mean to point out the disparity. This despite the fact all income levels vote and pay taxes.
For those wishing a return to good paying jobs and personal financial stability it may be comforting to know it’s an election year. With essentially one of two presidential candidates heading to the White House their records may help determine who would look out for those job positions currently departing from gate 9. If you fall into the bottom four income levels like myself jobs are probably more important than ever before.
After searching online it didn’t take long to come up with some facts. Of the two candidates for president one has an actual record of working for middleclass workers and former middleclass workers. That candidate chose to forego lucrative jobs at one time in his life to help Americans many of whom were laid off steel factory workers. He helped with finding people new jobs and with retraining among other things. This is factual not hype or overblown.
Later he called for a thorough retooling of NAFTA. His stance on the issue states without any significant changes the trade agreement should be scrapped. He also questioned open border trucking.
The other candidate has a record on middleclass jobs which contains less to get eager about. Over his tenure in the senate that candidate continuously voted to deregulate trade. He approved of and even brokered numerous deals protecting large corporations at the expense of middle income workers.
This unfortunately is backed up by fact. In an interview with the Des Moines Register on 11/27/07 he said with regards to NAFTA it,” was a good idea… Have people lost jobs? Yes, they have, and they’re gonna lose jobs.” The statement does not reflect the words of someone working for the best interests of the American worker especially in tough economic times. This “be patient and give it time” line is the same sort of nonsense the current administration used to spin the worsening economy and the state of our overseas military engagements.
He also helped French manufacturer Airbus secure a $35 Billion deal with the Air Force over the American company Boeing. He worked with EADS/Airbus as well as some of his campaign advisers. The government contract was investigated by the Government Accountability Office with the outcome of the investigation stating the contract had been unfairly awarded. It would have meant 44,000 jobs for U.S. workers.
This senator talks about American jobs leaving the country as a sign of progress which we simply must adapt to. In the end who must adapt? Will upper level jobs be shipped over seas in droves for low wage white collar replacements? Is our country outsourcing its CEO positions now? Of couse not. Our corporations should be prosperous, but the middleclass deserves to thrive as well.
With the economy in it’s current position how can we trust a representative who consistently voted for cheaper labor in other countries over jobs right here? A national economy without a reasonable modicum of oversight leads to serious problems which we are now seeing. It is in large part responsible for our current crisis.
So without reasonable restraint can the depletion of good jobs continue without consequence for those whose income brackets are hemorrhaging employment positions? It does not seem reasonable or sensible that a person looking out for all Americans would believe it. To me it does not sound like putting America first.
To read about my inspiration for this article go to www.lawsuitagainstuconn.com.
www.lawsuitagainstuconn.com
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