We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Jobless Produce U.S. Profit on Productivity With Less Inflation

from Bloomberg News. The ruling class loves recessions/depressions like this.
The 6.8 million Americans out of work for 27 weeks or longer -- a record 46 percent of all the unemployed -- are providing U.S. companies with an eager, skilled and cheap labor pool.
The Washington Post finds many lawmakers (representatives sponsored by corporations) in agreement to keep workers from getting extended unemployment benefits:
 Congress's inaction has been accompanied by a growing sentiment among lawmakers that long-term unemployment benefits create a disincentive for the jobless to find work.

"Workers are less likely to look for work, or accept less-than-ideal jobs, as long as they are protected from the full consequences of being unemployed,"
Also, there is the added benefit of a slew of recruits for its military adventures around the world. Before this economic collapse, US Armed Services were having difficulty meeting recruitment goals. Hence, recessions/depressions are good for the Empire.