From Bob Herbert in the New York Times:
So here we are pouring shiploads of cash into yet another war, this time in Libya, while simultaneously demolishing school budgets, closing libraries, laying off teachers and police officers, and generally letting the bottom fall out of the quality of life here at home.
Welcome to America in the second decade of the 21st century. An army of long-term unemployed workers is spread across the land, the human fallout from the Great Recession and long years of misguided economic policies. Optimism is in short supply. The few jobs now being created too often pay a pittance, not nearly enough to pry open the doors to a middle-class standard of living.
....
The U.S. has not just misplaced its priorities. When the most powerful country ever to inhabit the earth finds it so easy to plunge into the horror of warfare but almost impossible to find adequate work for its people or to properly educate its young, it has lost its way entirely.
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The current maldistribution of wealth is also scandalous. In 2009, the richest 5 percent claimed 63.5 percent of the nation’s wealth. The overwhelming majority, the bottom 80 percent, collectively held just 12.8 percent.
General Electric, the largest corporation in the country, paid zero taxes last year. The company's CEO, Jeffery Immelt, is on Obama's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.
The numbers of citizens in the middle class continue to fall. Government services for the people in the land continue to be cut. More and more, the US looks like the land of opportunity for only the rich. And yet, somehow the US can always find the money to start another war.
Read Herbert's entire excellent column, which is his valedictory.
This is my last column for The New York Times after an exhilarating, nearly 18-year run. I’m off to write a book and expand my efforts on behalf of working people, the poor and others who are struggling in our society. My thanks to all the readers who have been so kind to me over the years.
So long, Bob. I, for one, will miss you, but I'm encouraged that your voice will not be silent, that you will continue to speak out after your departure from the NYT.
I fear we are not just losing our way -- we have lost our way.
ReplyDeleteAnn, a very good case could be made for your statement.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like all the NYTimes best columnists are bailing out before the pay-wall goes up. Frank Rich said Buh Bye last week. I'm not going to pay for the pleasure of reading Tom ("Suck on this!") Friedman or Ross Douthat.
ReplyDeleteCertainly agree with Herbert and Ann, especially when remembering the Triangle Fire this week here in NYC.
Counterlight, as you say, two of the best of the opinion writers will be gone. I'm not going to pay either.
ReplyDeleteCan someone explain to me why General Electric paid zero taxes?
ReplyDeleteThis situation is so extraordinary that I'm speechless.
Jane Smith (Pretoria, South Africa)
smithj, if you click on the "paid zero taxes" link, you will see. They take every advantage of loopholes in the tax laws, move some of the business overseas, and use tax shelters.
ReplyDelete