Why a 'federal jobs guarantee' is gaining steam with Democrats

CNN ^ | April 26, 2018 | Analysis by Gregory Krieg

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Emboldened by a base thirsty for bold new initiatives, ambitious Democrats have spent large chunks of the Trump era building and working out how to sell a slate of unapologetically progressive policy programs.

Now, as the 2020 presidential primaries come into sight, yet another new front is emerging. Over the last two weeks, a growing roster of potential candidates for the Democratic nomination have stated or affirmed their support for some form of legislation that would guarantee a job to every American.

The party's left flank has, for decades, sought to advance universal solutions to perennial problems. Since President Donald Trump's election, which sealed Republicans' grip on power in Washington, Democratic politicians and policymakers, along with one notable independent senator, are moving toward that vision -- creating a new framework for how the party might operate if it can regain the White House and congressional majorities over the next two years.

Though still a work in progress, it would guarantee wages of at least $15 an hour, indexed to inflation by the program's fourth year, offer retirement and health benefits on par with other federal employees, child care assistance and 12 weeks of paid family leave. The jobs listed include everything from park maintenance to construction work and home care.

But there are also loftier ideals in play. The draft describes what would be a massive new entitlement as "more than simply an economic fix."

"People working under the federal job guarantee will be serving their communities and their country, uniting use together in a common purpose, rebuilding the social fabric of our nation," it reads.

[antidemoncrat]

In other words, mouth making sounds with brain disconnected.

[HotHunt]

Sanders never had a job at all until he was in his 40s and then got elected mayor of some small Vermont town. He's been on the government payroll ever since. It's all he knows.

Besides being a self-avowed communist, he knows nothing about how the free enterprise system works.

To him, everything emanates from the mother government.

[jmaroneps37]

Way too good to be true, but it is. The evil donkey has no ideas and since they themselves are criminals they believe they can bribe their way back into power. But hey there is a blue ave coming among the youts like there always is right? Ha ha ha.

[itsahoot]

Government work does not produce anything that pays for itself

There is a damn in Oklahoma that has produced electricity since the WPA built it in 1940.

Guaranteed employment used to mean Military service and they turned down few from a court that gave kids a choice. Jail or enlist.

[adorno]

There is a damn in Oklahoma that has produced electricity since the WPA built it in 1940.

Is the government running it, with government employees, and government salaries? And, did government employees build it?

[itsahoot]

Who can live on $15 an hour?

Most of the country. That is $31,000.00 a year.

Current Average Income
The 2016 nominal median income per capita was $31,099. The mean income per capita was $46,550. The Census Bureau reports those in the Current Population Survey, Table PINC-01.

Real median household income was $59,039 in 2016. That's the first time income exceeded the 2007 level of $58,149. It's also slightly higher than the 2015 income of $57,230. The first increase since the Great Recession was in 2015. All are reported in 2016 dollars. The Census report household income in Table A-1.

The federal government uses the median household income to establish poverty levels. That determines eligibility for Obamacare subsidies and welfare programs.

Real median family income was $72,707 in 2016. That's higher than the 2007 peak of $71,024 (as measured in 2016 dollars). It's also more than the 2015 level of $71,590. The government uses the family income for statistical purposes, such as reporting the poverty threshold.

The Census reports family income in Table F-6.

[itsahoot]

And, did government employees build it?

WPA=Works Progress Administration built it. As far as I know GRDA runs it, they are a utility regulated by the state as is the Tennessee Valley Authority and several others that were carried out for the Rural Electrification Authority. Utilities were brought to rural Americans that would never of had i, hem otherwise. I knew several of those places.

Not arguing the merit, just the fact it was done.

[adorno]

The government built it, or outside labor contracted by the government built it? It's like saying that the government built the f-22 and f-35? Government might have paid for them, but, outside labor and contractors built them

So, does the WPA still own and operate the dam? Is the government in charge of providing the labor and general maintenance of the dam? BTW, that was a different time; so, does the government still undertake such massive projects to then run them and keep the "profits", if any?

[itsahoot]

So, does the WPA still own and operate the dam?

If you don't know anything about the WPA, what are we talking about?

[SunkenCiv]

Because they don’t want to have to go to work, they’d rather “organize”. thanks Oldeconomybuyer.

U.S. weekly jobless claims fall to lowest level since 1969
Reuters via Yahoo | April 26, 2018
Posted on 04/26/2018 6:29:32 AM PDT by John W
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3650507/posts

[adorno]

If you don't know anything about the WPA, what are we talking about?

The question still is, and which you refused to answer, is whether the WPA still operates and controls the dam.

IOW, does the government still operate the dam and other projects which provide a living standard to people. As such, it would be government in control of industry, and providing jobs, and in control of who, what, and where people work.

So, why did you bring up the WPA if you refuse to answer the questions? FACT is that, the WPA is not relevant, and when it was relevant, why didn't it continue to exist, if it was such a wonderful thing?

[itsahoot]

Adorno I think I told you the Damn operates as a public utility known as The Grand River Damn Authority GRDA.

The WPA was a government employment scheme initiated under FDR for depression relief. If you look around you will find plenty of WPA Construction projects all decorated with a Brass plaque stating the particulars of the project.

I never said I approved of the whole program just pointed out the it happened, I made no claim good or bad about the whole program.

Do you know what a Public Utility is? You seem to want to pick a fight over something you seem to know nothing about.

[adorno]

Do you know what a Public Utility is?

Silly question...

But, my point is that you brought up the point about the WPA, as if it mattered to the greater discussion, which it doesn't.

Government projects, managed by them and funded by them and "owned" by them, are almost never advised or fruitful. That's my point, and your WPA reference was unwarranted in the discussion about government guaranteed jobs and government guaranteed wages.

[itsahoot]

That's my point, and your WPA reference was unwarranted in the discussion about government guaranteed jobs and government guaranteed wages.

Which was exactly my point, it has been used before and it was not always a total failure like you suggested. If the government did not turn them over to be run by corporations I doubt they would function very well. Roads, Bridges, Damns, are all made by government employees hired as contractors.

The Military was in the past an employee of last resort, not like today. Many a young man headed for a career in crime was turned around by the military experience.

Private vs Government doesn't always work out better for the consumer. Red light cameras and automated speed traps ran by corporations, yield very little back to the state compared to the cost to the consumer.

Not to mention the business that are actually controlled by the government through regulation.