If you are working class or a poor American, this is a message to you. The recent Presidential election was decided by the same people who decide every election. Whether it's the Conservative working class supporting the Republican Party, or the Progressive/Liberal working class supporting the Democratic Party, it boils down to everyday people who struggle to make a living being divided politically by ideology. I think workers of every ethnic group and both genders really just want to know what it's like to actually enjoy life without crucial and consistent financial strife. I believe that every citizen from this group of Americans -- a group which overwhelmingly makes up the electorate -- just wants to know that their bills will be paid, that they'll make enough money to apply some to the enjoyment of living, knowing that their children will be safe and satisfied in the present and future, that their government -- which they elected -- actually addresses their needs and interests, and that they'll be fine when it comes to enduring sickness, disability and the inevitable process of getting old. The way I see things, the majority of Americans in the current economy, and political system, spend most of their lives working to make someone else wealth; while they themselves struggle to survive. Workers spend decades providing both the workforce and the consumer base for companies, making the companies successful and making the wealthy even more wealthy. In many cases these companies -- that were built on the backs of American workers -- then go on to automate Americans out of work, or to move the business itself across international borders to take advantage of a different set of workers who work for less money. How can this situation improve for the average American? This is a nation of laws, and laws are determined by our political system, so let's take a look at that system.
Every four years Americans go to the polls to elect someone to lead the country. By engaging in the exercise of voting people hope that election after election will finally yield a government that improves their lives. However, over the recent decades, power has shifted back and forth between the Democrats and Republicans with little positive change for the struggling American worker. Why is this? What has this "battle" between the two major parties resulted in? Answer: While workers have remained divided (benefiting both political parties and the media), the rich have gotten richer with the income gap between rich elites and the average American growing ever larger. With all of this change in our political leadership there is one constant that is often overlooked: The people that we vote into the Oval Office all have wealth! American workers want a government that feels and responds to their pain, but how can that happen when we continue to elect politicians who don't share that pain. How can the masses of voters continue to elect wealthy politicians, and then expect those wealthy politicians to place the working poor as a main priority...I don't think this is realistic. Both parties have failed to deliver on their promises to workers over the years. Rather than continuing to elect people with a completely different set of economic values, wouldn't it make more sense to elect someone who shared the same financial reality? To this end I think that real thought needs to go into the formation of a true WORKING CLASS INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY. I worked in independent third party politics for years. It is difficult due to the media backed monopoly on our political system by both major parties -- but it is possible. In the not too distant past Ross Perot proved that a viable independent campaign for the nation's highest office was viable. If this party came into being, it possibly could include some of the following suggestions as planks on the party's platform:
*A 40-50% cut in salaries for all elected and appointed politicians making over $50,000 annually; with at least a 10 year freeze on their salaries. Additionally, future salary increases for politicians will be decided by the voters rather than the politicians.
*The goal of eliminating the control of the government by special interest groups and wealthy donors through significantly reducing amounts allowed for campaign contributions.
*All full-time workers would receive a month's vacation yearly. The vacation would be mandatory and companies would be punished for obstruction. Also, workers would be paid for vacation time.
*Companies that relocate to other countries after gathering wealth off of American workers would be harshly punished: Import taxes on any products from said company and corporate fines; seizure of all possible assets; and a revocation of American citizenship for said company's executive board/ownership.
*Guaranteed debt-free higher education for all Americans.
*Eradication of all corporate tax loopholes.
*Support for labor unions with an additional goal of increasing worker confidence that they will be free from corruption by organized crime groups. To this end all organized crime organizations would be declared domestic terrorists, would be immediately tracked down and removed from society.
*Paid retraining programs for displaced workers
*A ban on any candidate with financial assets of over $150,000 wishing to run under the party's banner.
*Equal pay for equal work
*The true goal of guaranteed life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, social justice and equality for working class Americans and all Americans
Just some thoughts, but if workers really want a better economic future there needs a fundamental change in who workers elect to run our political system. That might be done by eliminating big money in politics, and by workers supporting actual working class people for elected office.
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