BRATTLEBORO-Our economic systems - and our entire society - are built on some assumptions; key of these is the notion that if ordinary people were provided comfortable housing, income, medical care, education, and transportation, they would not work.
The wealthy, of course, never have to deal with these issues, and they claim to work hard. Greed, we are told, when used by rich folks, builds economies and creates wealth for all, just a lot more for the wealthy.
The evidence does not support this.
What if we started with an alternative point of view, that every person should have adequate housing, health care, income, education, and transportation? It is not some totally idiotic idea. In fact, it has been used successfully in Scandinavia, where there are successful economies.
What if we adopted a constitutional amendment that says, in effect, that the nation has suffered because of racism, classism, nationalism, and an addiction to unfettered capitalism, which we now renounce and reject? Instead, we will seek to provide resources to meet the material and social needs of every person while taxing the wealth of the super-rich.
I rather doubt the situation for most people would be worse than what we see now. Looking back to the 1950s, there were very high taxes on the rich and efforts to promote general well-being for white folks that worked. If we did similar things now - for everyone - I expect general economic prosperity as well as social stability and inclusiveness.
Just a thought: Maybe doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a better result is not that smart for most people.
This could be why so many people supported MAGA candidates in recent elections - they promised change. Now that the fraud of their leaders is exposed, let's join hands with them to work for a better society that benefits everyone.
Ralph Howe
Brattleboro
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