6 economy stimulators

Enough playing politics; the stimulus didn't work to the extent it was designed to work, I think we can all agree on that, can't we? I'm thinking of a few things that might actually help put the economy back on track that involves changing a few things around in a number of places in our society. Let me know what you think.


1. Financial incentives and subsidies to bring outsourced jobs back home



Business is business and while most American corporations would love to stay in the U.S and hire American workers, it has become increasingly difficult to do so and enjoy their large profits, in result of international trade treaties and globalization. In the eyes of many, business in the U.S. has become increasingly unfriendly with more and more tax increases being foreseen for both major corporations and small businesses. Let's reverse that trend and give things like tax breaks, worker tax credits and government subsidies for certain industries that wouldn't otherwise expand their workforce in the United States.


2. Reform Criminal Justice policy



A major chunk of the billions of dollars we spend incarcerating non-violent prisoners is due to drug crimes. With drug addiction playing a major part of this staggering statistic, we need to realize many of these drug offenders are absolutely able to become rehabilitated and with sufficient resources, rampant drug use and drug crimes can become dramatically decreased. That is of course, with sufficient resources.

3. Legalize Marijuana



With reasonable regulation and laws, marijuana has the potential to become a multibillion dollar industry. You put a lot of revenue out of the hands of the major gangs and cartels and what you get in return is substantial business revenue.

4. Reward Education



Higher Education is no longer something that's just desirable; it's becoming more and more necessary in a competitive world market that demands more knowledge. If unemployment is rampant, part of that problem, although not all of it, may have to do with the levels of education employers are seeking or desire. Many of the jobs leaving the states are ones requiring college educated-workers who are willing to work cheaper than American college educated workers. Why not have deductions, credits and financial aid for parents who can't afford to put their child in daycare, homeowners who can't afford to go to school and pay mortgage, business owners who find it difficult to leave their business temporarily for school and other extenuating circumstances.


5. Health care reform



I'm no expert on health care but if you do the math, lower costs = lower premiums and lower costs would lower government payouts to physicians. That would result in a lower deficit. Get SOMETHING done, Congress.

6. Expand services of the Small Business Association



Government should be very business friendly and provide an increased amount of useful resources for future and current small business owners. This could mean anything from counseling, consulting, expertise and other services that every business owner in the country can enjoy; free of charge.

When does revolution become necessary?

What are we to make of revolutionary statements from prominent leaders in world history? Are we to disregard what was said decades or even hundreds of years ago? I, among millions of others of people, believe history is meant to teach each generation what arises when certain events go unnoticed and the people become more and more indifferent to the issues of their time. It seems as though the world never quite learns the lessons of generations past and in a cycle of decay, we fall victim to systemic methods of quelling and silencing dissent. Every society is unique and when government officials feel invincible in the political arena, this alone is cause for concern. What many people may not take into is the fact that silence alone can sometimes be the root of struggle and conflict.

Organizations all around the country exist purely on the premise of being a safeguard for the constitution. The overlying problem with this though is that each of these organizations develop individual interpretations of the constitution and like congress, good ideas die in the midst of political disputes. When our government politicians are less concerned with their constituents' needs and more concerned with political fundraising for re-election, the role of being a legislator in a democratic republic becomes construed and forgotten. Just to clarify, I feel that all too often, legislators (incumbents especially) forget what they were elected to do and instead, only worry about what it takes to win an election. Winning elections and maintaining the interests of the constituency aren't always synonymous in American politics. Elections alone are no remedy for preventing a usurpation of our rights from the government. We need grassroots activism where people don't sit idly hoping for actual change and instead stand for what they believe in. We always say we believe in the first amendment; but how often exactly do we use it? We always say we want a balanced budget and responsible government spending but how often do we show up at the building doorsteps demanding it? We always call for more education funds but how often we do storm the districts office demanding it? Imagine a world where the government held bake sales to fundraise for war and schools were given money without question.

Our priorities have fallen out of wack and we've forgotten the very liberties we say our nation embodies. Visualize a society where the ruling class were genuinely fearful of repercussions for corruption and foul play. Visualize a nation where All who complained about the system had done something as simple as voting. Visualize a system where parties debated accordingly by issues and what needed to be done for the American people; even more, the people of the world. I refuse to believe we have become sheep; Sheep cannot take action. Yet it is apparent that as government becomes bigger in scale, so does the submissiveness among the very people it is designed to serve. We must always keep our governments at bay and on edge in fear of removal of power; it keeps them busy at work for us and us only.

On Education

In the midst of war, government reforms and other vast programs being undertaken by the federal government; we've yet to focus on the one most important asset of our nation: the Youth. Repeatedly it's been asked; why does our government always have money for war but when it comes time for more funds for education, it becomes a matter of debate and bureaucracy? It doesn't take long for money to reach the weapons industry but for some reason, schools have to go through an unnecessary hassle of begging and pleading with the state for more funds. We can't just point a finger at our legislators and ask them what they're doing about education in Washington D.C. without asking ourselves the question of how they got there in the first place. Us. We refuse to take responsibility as united citizens to work together in order to further educate our youth. These very young children and young adults of today are tomorrow's leaders and while schools hold bake sales to acquire funds to maintain their schools, other industries are eating out of taxpayers hands. We need to re-evaluate our priorities as a nation, a society and as a people. While I do not suggest that the government overhaul the education system and nationalize all universities, why not make college education more accessible to those who strive for it but can't quite afford it? Federal and state loans aren't enough; we know not all of our country's citizens are willing to attend 4 year universities but we must make other vocations and job training programs possible for our country's youth. By no means am I an expert on education so if I give anyone the impression that I think I know even enough about the education system, I apologize for making such a distorted impression. This much I know though; our education system has failed us. Our ancestors, forefathers and parents all demonstrated throughout history the importance of an education; Let us come together and acknowledge the importance of education reform so that one day, the Youth can say without fear, reluctance or hesitation, "I can make it".

- David Solis