Quote:
Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
It's true that our system is more resilient than Wiemar Germany's, and has been - and, looking back historically, that's actually one of the more interesting distinctions between Germany 1933 and today. If we had a more historically literate population 1920s Italy might make for an interesting comparison, but people know 1930s German much better.
As to solutions addressing the relative income stagnation that has occurred for people below the top 40% of households, there are plenty of them, but they generally include things like addressing the aging of the US population through immigration, re-unionizing the middle class, and focusing on massive rebuilding of infrastructure, including educational infrastructure, all things that the Red States viscerally oppose.
|
I think the US in 1929 works just fine because asset prices are out of whack, particularly in relation to wage trends. I know asset prices can stay irrational longer than I can stay solvent, but even in a rising rate and energy price environment? This casino has to roll over at some point.
Regarding your solutions, Trump will have been the deep red states' trial balloon. We'll now have tried it their way, and it will fail. They can no longer say their lousy lot is the fault of the govt. They'll have had their chance, implemented their policies, and learned that tariffs and xenophobia do not bring back any jobs.
If Trump's looming political crisis coincides with a recession, which it looks like it will, the result may be scary enough to compel us to the following realization:
We can no longer just accept with a shrug that the middle class will be hollowed out as a result of automation and globalization. And no -- education and retraining are not fixes for it. We need to think creatively and radically, entertaining "third rail" salves like UBI (and the more conventional ones you cited). Because otherwise, our society will be ripped apart. We will see more demagogues. We will become a gilded Brazil.
We need to stop warring - finding and blaming "others" - and start having smart conversations about the most serious, immediately threatening issues.
