Dear friends, November 2018
Such excitement! No, not the latest scandal. I’m talking about a record breaking 270 women, who ran for top jobs in the midterms, for governor races and Congress. Some races are still to close to call but right now, 100 women were elected to the House, 12 to the Senate, and 9 will become governors. In those record numbers are so many firsts: Latina women, Native American women, Muslim women, and openly gay women. We’re still not equally represented, but as my mother would say, it’s better than a sharp stick in the eye—which is sort of where we’ve been lately.
Will these women help redraw the economy to include more of us? There’s evidence already. Last year, Sen. Kamala Harris proposed a LIFT Act that expands tax-credits to the middle class. It would expand the safety net for those facing job cutbacks, low pay, and high rents. This would be good for business too. See Screwnomics’ discussions of supply and demand, and “big fix” solutions.
Another solution in Screwnomics is part of Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s Accountable Capitalism Act, which would require 40 percent of corporate boards represent workers, not just wealthy shareholders.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is talking about a government-backed work guarantee that would create needed jobs in sectors the “free market” neglects. It would also help set a wage floor and benefits. Then, too, there’s Sen. Bernie Sanders push for Medicare for All. The health care system represents nearly a fifth of our economy, and ending political bombardment, simplifying its labyrinth, might help counter a projected nursing shortage, as well as save lives.
LA’s vote to create their own publicly-owned bank lost, but with 42 percent who said yes! With more education, especially among women students and women’s small businesses, LA could see more low-cost local investment to offset Wall Street’s global gambling. It could work where you live, too! Learn more at www.publicbankinginstitute.org
In other words, privately funded investments by our richest plutocrats are not our only route forward. Women’s shared public investments will be called “socialism” by some, but in fact citizens agreeing to work together and invest in our own families and communities is only what our Constitution said government was for: “to promote the general welfare,” not to further enrich the 1 percent.
Until next time,
Rickey
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