Monday, August 15, 2022

Better Than Nothing, But Falls Way Short of What's Needed NOW

Commentary on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by two fellows at inequality.org - 
https://www.newsweek.com/trillionaires-burning-planet-package-deal-opinion-1731955

The IRA is a paltry start on a few (certainly not all) major problems.  For example, while boosting development of renewable energy, it also greatly favors fossil fuels.  Now there's an oxymoron, eh?  As to taxing the Rich Polluters, forget it.  Health care - paltry, paltry, paltry.

On a related note---
Just as bad, there are no significant, proposed legislative bills which address toxic pollution, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and more.  They all are just as much an existential threat as is climate disruption.

On a separate note---
Yes, despite what the elites are saying, we are in a recession.  The last Jobs Report is being touted as proof to the contrary, but is anyone asking the following?  How many of those jobs are part-time?  How many are temporary?  How many are low-paying?  How many are some combination of the preceding?  How many workers have two jobs, and still can't get ahead of inflation?  Why not? Because the jobs are relatively low-paying and have close to zero benefits.

Then, too, consider this:  according to the U.S. Debt Clock, the median income here is a tad under $36K/year.  That means half our workers make LESS than $36K.  Half.  So, how is the economy surviving?  On DEBT, massive debt - national, corporate, and personal debt.  Total U.S. debt is now over $92 trillion.  Our GDP is under $25 trillion, and decreasing every second.  [See usdebtclock.org ]  All Bubbles (including Debt Bubbles) burst sooner or later.  The whole situation is unsustainable.
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Not only my opinion.  Be Well

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