Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Austerity
The economy worldwide has been terrible the last three years. People have lost jobs in large numbers. Conservatives, the wealthy and corporations have pushed governments into lowering or eliminating taxes around the world. This has resulted in decreased revenues for governments and exploded deficits, which increases the call for cuts in spending. Austerity has become the buzzword for these governments. Governments are enacting austerity programs to control the huge deficits. Austerity programs are unjust.
Why are austerity programs unjust? Austerity means drastic cutbacks in everything. It means sacrifices must be made. European governments have begun these types of programs, cutting back on social programs, salaries, benefits and raising taxes and fees on some things like education. The injustice comes in on who makes the sacrifices. People shouldering the burden for these austerity policies are students, elderly, the disabled, the poor and members of the middle class. While these people take the brunt of the burden, the rich and corporations are enjoying tax cuts. This is totally unjust.
If these programs must be enacted, then the sacrifices and suffering should be shared by every citizen. Governments should make the rich and corporations share the sacrifice by paying higher taxes. In any democracy that claims all citizens are equal then the suffering people go through should also be a part of that equality, shared by all.
Why are austerity programs unjust? Austerity means drastic cutbacks in everything. It means sacrifices must be made. European governments have begun these types of programs, cutting back on social programs, salaries, benefits and raising taxes and fees on some things like education. The injustice comes in on who makes the sacrifices. People shouldering the burden for these austerity policies are students, elderly, the disabled, the poor and members of the middle class. While these people take the brunt of the burden, the rich and corporations are enjoying tax cuts. This is totally unjust.
If these programs must be enacted, then the sacrifices and suffering should be shared by every citizen. Governments should make the rich and corporations share the sacrifice by paying higher taxes. In any democracy that claims all citizens are equal then the suffering people go through should also be a part of that equality, shared by all.
Labels: austerity, conservatives, Democrats, liberals, middle class, poor, progressives, Rebublicans, rich, working class
