General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Stripping away the distracting BS, this is what it all boils down to. (In my opinion.) [View all]gulliver
(13,180 posts)I actually think economic polarization is a distraction. "Robber barons" and inequality too.
Our core problem is that society does not create an economic demand for the best possible world. We just wait until the moods strike us instead of single-mindedly devoting ourselves to the idea that everything is better when everyone's prosperity and contributions are maximized.
Until the robots start doing everything (evolving us from this bionic system we currently find ourselves in), people are desperately needed to do the real work. Our problem is that we don't demand the work from them as much as we should. If we demand that everything we are currently doing be done better and in a completely clean and sustainable way, we will create jobs. Those jobs will require us to get the most out of everyone.
And of course, you can't get the most out of everyone while people are in poverty. Those folks should not be thought of as expense but as demand. There should be a floor on poverty in this country.
Short term, I support obvious policy fixes like upping the minimum wage, increasing taxes on the wealthy, maintaining/extending Social Security, health care, a floor on poverty, and eliminating the drug war. But for the long term (maybe the next 5-100 years) we should be focusing on where the economic demand that drives capitalism (yes, definitely capitalism) comes from. I think that demand is "promoting the general welfare" through green jobs and eliminating poverty.