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WORD COUNT
299
NOVEMBER 19, 2008
PUBLIC
WORKS IS WHAT WORKS – by Jim Hightower
Here's an
idea: Instead of wasting our tax money on Wall Street slicks who don't
use it to help anyone but themselves, why don't we use our public funds
to build something in America?
Like what?
Like bridges that are in disrepair, schools and libraries that need
upgrades and expansion, high-speed rail networks to connect our
population centers, energy-saving technologies for every home and
building, public transportation for all of our cities, state-of-the-art
Internet systems everywhere, and public park repairs and expansions.
America
has important work that needs to be done. America also has millions of
workers who need good jobs. Let's combine the two so we can lift our
country up and move forward together.
"There is
no better time than today" to launch a major public works program.
That's not a quote from some lefty do-gooder, but from the head of the
National Association of Business. Corporate executives are now joining
labor leaders, mayors, and other progressives who see the urgent need to
invest in and rebuild America, creating new infrastructure and new
middle-class opportunities all across our land.
President
Bush and his laissez-faire ideologues oppose this. They assert that such
a bold national undertaking would take too long to help with the current
financial collapse. Hello, George -- state and city transportation
officials say they could have 3,000 highway projects and $8 billion
worth of mass transit projects under way in less than 90 days. Let's get
the money to them! This is not a time for more ideological claptrap from
right-wing theorists. It's a time to restore America's can-do spirit,
turning our grassroots people loose to build.
This
should not wait until January. Congress should come together now, this
month, and begin to move money where it'll do some real good for
everyone in America.
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For more information
on Jim Hightower’s work – and to subscribe to his award-winning monthly
newsletter, The Hightower Lowdown, visit
www.jimhightower.com. -- A photo of Jim
Hightower is available CLICK HERE
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