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1. DougZ
   Post Count: 111 Member

   I think it's good that there's been alot of focus on payday lending predators in Ohio. But, that problem is only a symptom of what's going on. The larger problem is that wages have been stagnant since the Reagan years.

   Wages drive demand in the economy. Productivity drives supply. Productivity has been outpacing wage gains since conservative policies took force with Reagan. The result has been debt at all levels---consumer, national debt, trade deficets, etc.

   The cure we truly need is to change economic policies to boost wages.

   Posted 2 days ago #

2. dublinphotog
   Post Count: 39 Member

   I don’t really have a good understanding of who uses these services or how the stores operate. Do they offer payroll advances, or simply cash checks for people who do not have bank accounts?

   I agree people should be paid a living wage. One argument against raising the minimum wage is that small businesses will be forced to hire fewer people, which would keep unemployment higher. Folks will never be paid big bucks for pouring coffee, flipping burgers or cleaning offices, which is one of the more distressing facets of capitalism. A person working forty hours per week should be able to afford to buy a house, own a car and have children, regardless of what that person’s occupation is. On the other hand, we have some corporate officers, business owners, entertainers and professional athletes who make more money in one year than most of us will see in a lifetime. Granted, the US is a place with unlimited potential for anyone with the determination to succeed; however, the compensation rates here are disturbingly inequitable. Without government interference or regulation, the playing field can never be leveled. The hope for this is one reason I vote for Democrats.

   Posted 2 days ago #

3. thatsjustme
   Post Count: 60 Member

   dublin, Are you suggesting the government should regulate pay levels and enforce ratios between owner and employees? And that's why you vote democrat? I always thought that sentiment was a red herring created by repubs in dark corners and behind closed doors. I have honestly never heard anyone advocate that and it would reinforce the stereotype of libs being "socialists".

   If we get the economy rolling and create good jobs, employers will be fighting over good employees. And there certainly are plenty of those. Fixing health care costs and working on plugging tax loopholes for large businesses will help the country and business alike.

   Posted 20 hours ago #

4. DougZ
   Post Count: 111 Member

   No need to re-invent the wheel. The New Deal demonstrated ways to expand and strengthen the middle class:

   1. Reinforce the safety net---Universal Health Insurance. Beef up Social Security by levying FICA taxes on Investment Income (Dividend and Capital Gains Income). Make Social Security a flat tax so everyone pays the same percent. Income earnings after $94,000 are now exempt.

   2. Scrap insane trade agreements---Many Chineese goods imported into the U.S. are levied a 2% tariff. The same goods made in the USA are levied 20 or 30% tariffs when exported into countries such as China. Say bye-bye to WTO, Nafta, etc. America needs to start making things again.

   3. Enforce the Sherman Anti-Trust Act again. Carter was the last President to enforce it. Broadcast media companies should be the first industry to be broken up. Reinstate all or most of the Fairness Doctrine.

   4. Increase skilled trade and vocational programs at high school level. America's infrastructure needs alot of work. The best anti-poverty program is a job.

   5. Invest in Higher Education---Almost all the other industrialized countries offer free college education to those who are capable.

   6. Convert from carbon-based energy to renewables such as solar and wind. This will put millions of people to work at good-paying jobs in the process.

   7. Throughout history, widespread prosperity has increased when the population is declining. This can be accomplished by empowering women to have equality of opportunity.

   8. Empower unionization. The union-busting industry is now a multi-billion dollar industry. Put predators like that out of business.

   9. Reward work. People who sit around the pool waiting for their dividend checks to arrive are now paying a maximum tax rate of 15% whereas people who work are commonly paying three times that rate when all taxes are taken into account.

   10. Taxpayer-owned campaign financing. That would take away alot of the power of corporatists to use the government as their puppet.

   11. Decrease Pentagon spending and no more U.S. wars of agression. We are spending more on our military than the rest of the world COMBINED spends on their militaries.

   11. Pass Senator Jim Webb's New GI Bill. The best recruiting tool is GI's coming home happy and looking forward to a bright future. John McCain opposes Webb's New GI Bill.

   Posted 13 minutes ago #

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