I believe strongly in the idea of Workfare Incorporated. I will continue to devote time and energy to making the idea a reality. It is the most satisfying volunteer work I have ever done. I recognize, however, that only a broad base of generous support will make Workfare as successful as possible.
Our application for 501(c)3 status was approved in September. That means that donations to Workfare Incorporated are tax deductible. That will also make it a lot easier to get businesses to sponsor concerts and other benefits. I am in the process of recruiting my “dream team” for the Board of Directors and an Advisory Board.
The need for a new approach is clear. The stimulus bill passed earlier this year has saved or created some jobs, yet the unemployment rate continues to rise. Beyond the statistics, individual members of our society who are willing and able to work, but are unable to find a job, are suffering the pain and frustration of joblessness – relying on charities or the government to support themselves and their family. Many are facing and/or dealing with the loss of their homes, bankruptcy, and the loss of hope.
We can go on hoping for “change we can believe in” from the government. It may come — eventually. In the meantime, we need to act to change some things now. If enough people get involved with Workfare Incorporated, by making a donation, however small, by attending our benefits, or by simply helping to spread the word about Workfare Incorporated, we can begin putting Americans back to work.
For additional information about Workfare Incorporated, or to get involved, go to workfareinc.org.
Article comments
1 - Ruvy
Winston,
This is fantastic to read! One recommendation. Try and put some of the money you have raised in a fund of gold coins. At some point, your economy will flat-line, and efforts like yours will be the one of the few things to save you all. But if your money is in the bank, it will cease to exist. Gold, on the other hand, will retain its value and you will be able to fund programs on gold coins and parts of gold coins. You will have real money when everyone else is using stock certificates and hundred dollar notes for toilet paper.
2 - STM
The other option would be for Americans to get back to doing what they do best: making good stuff and selling it - creating jobs and wealth in the process.
To do that, the profit-takers on the money markets would have to accept a fall in the value of the US dollar to realistic levels, or else no one will buy the stuff overseas because they can get it cheaper elsewhere.
Don't hold your breath, though.
Wealth isn't created for all by greedy men shuffling bits of paper or clicking a mouse on Wall Street.
That's a lesson we've all learned the hard way recently, but don't expect anything to change too drastically anytime soon.
3 - Ralph Musgrave
It is totally incorrect to suggest, as your 2nd para does, that Keynsian stimulatory policies are thwarted by a high national debt. Keynes made it perfectly clear that extra government spending can be financed by borrowing or by simply creating or printing extra money. As Keyes said in a letter to Roosevelt, “public authority must be called in aid to create additional current incomes through the expenditure of borrowed or printed money.” See 4th para.
Milton Friedman said much the same: he set out a monetary policy in an American Economic Review article that involved NOT GOVERNMENT DEBT AT ALL.
If you’re really interested in reducing the national debt (and it’s easily done).
4 - Jim
THE SOLUTION
Everyone living in United States knows that our country is in trouble. We are headed towards civil unrest and rioting in the streets similar to what is happening in Greece and other areas of the world.
It is almost as if there is a dooms day scenario about to unfold and our leaders are saying run up the deficit. Who cares what our National Debt is because the world is about to end and we will never have to pay it back.
Let us put on our Nostradamus thinking caps! Imagine ourselves 100 years in the future looking back at the fall of the United States of America. What solutions will the Historians say that if we had implemented them could of saved us from destruction.
I believe that in this mindset we can easily agree that the following need to be implemented immediately. Not one or some of these solutions but all.
1) One flat rate tax of 20% for all purchases and services in the United States. Dismantle the IRS.
2) Debit cards must be used for all purchases in the United States. This would insure that taxes are being paid and help regulate any year end tax rebates.
3) For every dollar spent for any new product made in the United States the purchaser would receive a 10 cent rebate at the end of the year. This would create American jobs.
4) Any terminally diagnosed person would have an option to receive a one lump sum payment of $45,000 to go home and die with dignity as opposed to low quality life extension in a hospital at a huge cost to society. This money could be used for a spouse or to help put someone in the family thru college.
5) Legalize all drugs. Regulate this industry. This would get rid of the drug cartels and eliminate all the senseless drug related murders. For forty years the United States has been at War with Drugs and we are still loosing. Do not condone drug usage just regulate it.
Jim Burns
You Tube mynation123