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Aug 2, 2012
Posted by Chuck Rocha
When asked to serve as a fellow focusing on the
American workforce, I sought to address the
issues that are truly driving our economic
failure and what we, as United States citizens,
can do to stop it. It is clear that these
economic times rival some of the worst times in
our country's history. Therefore now more than
ever, the public and private sectors must come
together and support our Commander in Chief
through this recovery.
According to a
study by The McKinsey Global Institute, in
every recession from 1945 to 1990, it took
approximately 6 months for jobs and the economy
to recuperate. This trend changed with the 1994
economic downturn, which needed 15 months to
recover. After the slowdown of the early 2000s,
recovery required approximately 39 months. But
the global financial recession of 2008 requires
an estimated 60 months for employment to return
to pre-recession levels. Thus, it is more than
likely nothing President Obama could do to fix
the economy in his current term would ever be
enough. The truth is that he and America need
more time, for one person cannot turn the
economy around on his/her own.
Economic
recovery requires not only the hard work of a
President, but also cooperative public and
private sectors working together towards a
common purpose. By means of a joint effort,
private companies and the United States
government should be reinvesting in America,
bringing infrastructure, affordable heath care
and jobs to our citizens.
The United
States must invest in its citizens. The
American people are a resource that needs to be
encouraged, supported, and rewarded. This
nation's economy can no longer be propped
solely on consumption; it must be rebuilt with
production. The United States must invest in
itself and produce the most sought after goods
in the world, as it once did. A massive
overhaul of our industries is needed to
reinstate jobs on the mainland, instead of
shipping them off to foreign manufacturing
plants and call centers. Companies, like Apple,
should not only be thinking of its great ideas
in America, but simultaneously turning those
ideas into products right here as well.
The tallest building in the world is in
Dubai. China is home to the fastest train in
the world. In fact, United States trains do not
even make the list of the 10 fastest trains in
the world. Given America's exceptional nature,
it should have the most astounding innovations
and human development projects in the world.
People from all around the world should be
flocking here to see our innovation and
creativity put into practice. Instead, we are
falling further behind developed and developing
nations, watching as they zoom away towards
success and prosperity, leaving us to wallow in
our recovery. It is time we stop talking and
start acting.
While
there are several short-term solutions for the
various problems we face, we can no longer
ignore reality and simply hope that things will
work themselves out. If what is required is a
50-year plan, then let's draft it so that our
children and grandchildren will be able to
aspire to achieve the American Dream. It is
clear that if we keep on perpetuating these
quick-fix proposals, our offspring will not
enjoy the benefits we take for granted.
Unfortunately,
coming to some sort of a decision on the
economy is at a standstill in Washington.
Extreme political ideologies and zero-sum
strategies have found their way into economic
policies, thus inhibiting any progress towards
a solution. We must not let our polarizing
differences on the far left and far right have
a voice on this matter. It is worth stepping on
a few toes to get to the root of a problem and
reach a decision. If we do not, we will never
see the end of this debacle. Let us focus on
what really matters: reinvesting in our
infrastructure, jobs, healthcare, education and
ultimately our future.
We used to be a
country where dreams were achievable. Adventure
and aspiration brought us 50 states, the New
Deal led America into a new world order, and
the space program took us beyond our borders
and our world. In order for the American Dream
to continue, it will require both public and
private sector investment, innovation and
cooperation.
This is not about who is
right or wrong. It is about doing what is best
for American workers. We must set aside
ideological differences and greedy pursuits and
come to a sound conclusion that will serve our
citizens.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Center for National Policy.
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