-
Oct 31, 2012
Posted by Chuck Rocha
America was a different country in 1942. When
faced with the crisis of war, the citizens of
this nation did not collapse into partisan
bickering. We came together to face the
challenge at hand. Housewives became factory
workers. Children collected materials that
could be reused for critical needs. Everyday
Americans did all that they could for the war
effort - they saw the crisis in the world
around them, and they responded. The
delineation between soldier and citizen
disappeared - as did the line between
Republican and Democrat.
70 years later,
our country faces another crisis - one not
marked by bombs or bullets, grenades or
gunfire. The challenge we face today is an
economic crisis unlike this nation has seen in
generations. The burgeoning growth that once
defined this country now seems like a distant
memory. And while things are slowly getting
better, far too many Americans are unemployed,
underemployed, or underwater on their
mortgages.
There is plenty of blame to
go around - and plenty has - on both sides.
Unfortunately, instead of coming together as we
did during World War II, our so-called leaders
have responded by politicizing the issues and
dividing citizens. It is time to end our policy
of politicization, and work together to find
solutions - just as we did 70 years
ago.
Most everyday Americans understand
this. Unfortunately, too many of our leaders in
Washington - the ones who wield the power to
actually affect change - continue to favor
labeling possible solutions with partisan
rhetoric. And when those with power politicize
issues and possible solutions, the American
people suffer.
I want to offer two
examples of issues that, if we put politics
aside, could truly help our economy, our
nation, and our future.
The first is
the development and implementation of green
jobs. There is nearly no debate anymore among
American citizens, from both red and blue
states, that green jobs provide real employment
solutions - and that more (green) jobs would be
a good thing. In addition, investment in green
technologies produces more well-paying jobs
that cannot be outsourced while reducing our
dependence on foreign oil.
However,
politicians consistently choose to politicize
the issue. If you support green jobs, you're an
out-of-touch, tree-hugging hippie. If you're
against them, you're an oil-drilling,
Earth-hating polluter. There is no compromise,
no middle ground. And in the midst of all the
labeling and name-calling, any real discussion
on the implementation of green jobs is lost. At
a time when our nation's unemployment rate is
far too high, our representatives would rather
politicize than work together to create a new,
viable job sector.
Another issue that
sorely suffers from politicization is that of
immigration. Politicians have long made
immigration a hot-button issue for voters -
although now, most everyday citizens agree that
comprehensive immigration reform is necessary
to boost our nation's productivity. Immigrants
are a general net positive on the nation's
economy. They bring a diverse set of skills and
backgrounds when they come to the U.S.
Immigrants start new businesses and file
patents at a higher rate than U.S. born
citizens.
Nevertheless, politicians have
made the issue of immigration as divisive as
possible, injecting themes of race and
nationalism on both sides of the debate. In
addition, anti-immigrant policies undermine
what has proven to be a positive force in the
American economy: an influx of young,
eager-to-work immigrants. Unfortunately,
despite the fact that these immigrants are
willing and able to re-start the American
economy, politicians are perpetually working to
shut down this vital part of our nation's
potential recovery.
In 1942, the threat
was real and did not discriminate along party
lines. In much the same way, the threat of
America's economic insolvency does not
discriminate between red and blue - it affects
us all. While much has changed since WWII, we
are still a great nation whose citizens have,
time and again, put aside petty differences to
face a common challenge.
It is time for
our leaders to be as brave. True economic
recovery will only begin when our
representatives begin to work together for
common-sense solutions -- and end the policy of
politicization.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Center for National Policy.
Printable Version
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS AUTHOR