http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2008/04/09/income-inequality-epi/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:42:01 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2008/04/09/income-inequality-epi/comment-page-1/#comment-612 DHFabian Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:13:43 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/wonkroom/2008/04/09/income-inequality-epi/#comment-612 I continue to be amazed that there could be a discussion about the economy and our unprecedented economic disparities without recognizing the impact our taking an ax to the New Deal. Until former president Clinton gave us welfare "reform", millions were able to keep their families together through economic downturns via welfare aid. These policies are far more complex and far-reaching than simply transferring public funds out of human aid programs, into the bank accounts of the very rich, and it is tragic that the media (mainstream and progressive) failed to scrutinize these policies. Welfare reform didn't only deny aid to the very needy, but created a massive workfare workforce within the US. While too complex to address here, these policies effectively broken unions, eliminated the right to refuse bottom-wage jobs, and served to reduce ALL workers' fundamental rights while suppressing wages (resulting, in part, in record-breaking corporate profits). I continue to be amazed that there could be a discussion about the economy and our unprecedented economic disparities without recognizing the impact our taking an ax to the New Deal. Until former president Clinton gave us welfare “reform”, millions were able to keep their families together through economic downturns via welfare aid. These policies are far more complex and far-reaching than simply transferring public funds out of human aid programs, into the bank accounts of the very rich, and it is tragic that the media (mainstream and progressive) failed to scrutinize these policies. Welfare reform didn’t only deny aid to the very needy, but created a massive workfare workforce within the US. While too complex to address here, these policies effectively broken unions, eliminated the right to refuse bottom-wage jobs, and served to reduce ALL workers’ fundamental rights while suppressing wages (resulting, in part, in record-breaking corporate profits).

]]> http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2008/04/09/income-inequality-epi/comment-page-1/#comment-566 christopher wiwi Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:50:05 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/wonkroom/2008/04/09/income-inequality-epi/#comment-566 Can you say free trade agreements with Mexico, China and other countries that are geared up towards these multi- national corps and the enormous profits they are reaping. Our middle class is drowning in Chinese and other 3rd world imports that have been thrust upon the middle and working classes.We as a country have lead the world in manufacturing and industrialization and now we import from 3rd world countries because it is cheaper not better quality as we have seen in recent recalls of toys from China.My pay has not kept up with inflation the price of food has caught up with the price of gas and it is harder and harder to eat healthy when friut and vegatables and meat are at the top of the price list and cereal and bread are at all time highs in my lifetime. Our Gov`ts lack of action, CEO pay.capital gains, tax cuts for the rich at a time of WAR,shrinking wages,lost manufacturing jobs that are being left in the dust by rising inflation have all but sent my middle class lifestyle and values in such a decline I don`t see any of reaching the top anytime soon while Bush and his cronyies rape and pillage this America. Can you say free trade agreements with Mexico, China and other countries that are geared up towards these multi-
national corps and the enormous profits they are reaping. Our middle class is drowning in Chinese and other 3rd world imports that have been thrust upon the middle and working classes.We as a country have lead the world in manufacturing and industrialization and now we import from 3rd world countries because it is cheaper not better quality as we have seen in recent recalls of toys from China.My pay has not kept up with inflation the price of food has caught up with the price of gas and it is harder and harder to eat healthy when friut and vegatables and meat are at the top of the price list and cereal and bread are at all time highs in my lifetime. Our Gov`ts lack of action, CEO pay.capital gains, tax cuts for the rich at a time of WAR,shrinking wages,lost manufacturing jobs that are being left in the dust by rising inflation have all but sent my middle class lifestyle and values in such a decline I don`t see any of reaching the top anytime soon while Bush and his cronyies rape and pillage this America.

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