National Economic Reforms: Department of Economic Development

Not since FDR has the United States been faced with the enormity of rebuilding America's economy. An economy which has been decimated by factors very reminiscent of the events that led to the Great Depression of the 1930's. What we are faced with today is that the United States is on the edge of a financial and economic cliff where at any moment we could fall into an abyss from which there is no return. This, while our "Wizards" on capital hill continue to be obvious to the calamity of economic woes that are keeping millions of American's languishing in financial devastation.

All ready in practically every city across the country there is a Department Of Economic Development. The primary focus of this department is to generate more business growth in their respective city. In doing so more tax revenue flows into these cities to support the mandated public services that are now required by law. Without business growth as in so many instances today all across the country city budget shortfalls only exasperate an ongoing economic domino effect of financial hardship for all. There are many factors that have to be implemented to secure business growth to increase an expanded tax base within each city all across the country. Without more educational venues offered, assessable reliable public transportation available, affordable decent housing and all the other logistics that make it not only conducive but productive for business development in cities and towns business growth will continue to decline.

When The Department Of Commerce and Labor was created back 1903 and subsequently consolidated in 1913 into the Department of Commerce the only time that that agency has managed to spur real economic growth was through the intervention of FDR. The numerous public works projects that FDR implemented felicitated Americas victory in World War II and propelled the United States to it's greatest economic expansion following the War through to the end of the 1960's. What has happened since are a number of policy changes that have undermined the economic and financial opportunities of so many millions of Americans. Consequently, we have inadvertently created the greatest wealth disparity gap in history. This along with the fact that our educational levels have plummeted so that the United States isn't even on the radar sort of speaking in global educational standards.

Now, when the economic calamity from 2008 financial crisis hit the fallout from which is still keeping the United States economy stagnant at best. Recently when an American Institution, the Hostess Corporation, announced the closing of so many bakeries and laying off over 18,000 employees just in time for the holidays and in Florida another 2,000 state workers are faced with a very grim Christmas because of layoff's is a stark reminder that much more needs to be done so that our unemployment rate doesn't rise any further. Some Christmas for thousands of workers who only sought living wages while CEO's continue their feeding frenzy for more corporate profits. And, for state workers the plight of budget cuts has only reinforced the reality especially our Republican led Governors can't quite grasp the concept that state workers are really like any other employee that pays taxes and supports the economy.

From all indications since the election it is quite apparent that those in Washington still, like so many Republicans, can't grasp the reality facing millions of Americans today. The Department of Commerce has done some semblance of trying to reassemble economic growth but the Administration still does not a definitive plan of direction both short and long term that would effectively curtail the events like the ones that unfolded when the Hostess Corporation closed it's doors. It is time to restructure the Department of Commerce and re institute an expanded Economic Development Administration so that the Department of Commerce would now become The Department Of Economic Development and incorporate all essential posts that would felicitate economic and financial growth across the country.

Currently there are too many duplications in practically every cabinet post where much needed resources are now being diverted from reaching the areas that need it most. It is quite apparent that steps have to be taken to reform and consolidate especially the current Department of Commerce so that the resources actually will go where they will do the most good. This includes placing the emphasis on Economic Development with a major emphasis on equalizing our trade deficit.

When most think of our trade deficit many question why China is cornering the market. In practically every shelf in practically every store across the country there are so many items that really are made in China. But, that doesn't show the bigger picture. When in reality it is not all those imports. Sure, they contribute much to our lack of manufacturing jobs but what else is curtailing our economic growth is right here in the United States. Even when our imports have for the past 40 years have been exceeding our exports and the NAFTA treaty signed in 1993 has done more damage to our economy than previously thought to have done it is attitudes of many corporate leaders of industry like the Hostess Corporation and other CEO's have the mentality that profit and more profit is the sum goal of our corporate world today. Remember that quote from the movie Wall Street " Greed is Good." Well guess what! Even after the financial crisis of 2008 many CEO's still have that mind frame. A recent report that wages have stagnated and in reality due to the adjustment in inflation the majority of wages for all those who are still working are actually much less. A retardation of wages all across the country is the sad reality of today. We have to remember that the health and stability of any country lies with the majority of people earning living wages. The more people with enough deposable income to spend, pay down debt, and to save at least 10% annually is the greatest economic boost for any country. In essence the fulfillment of The Williams Theory of Economic Evolution. That is not the case today in America.

What the Department of Economic Development has to do is address our trade agreements and reinforce not on free trade but equal trade along with putting higher tariffs on goods coming in from China, Mexico, Canada and even Germany to name a few. This along with coordinating with other cabinet departments on a unified plan of Direction using National Economic Reform as the guide book sort of speaking to implement changes, concepts, and policies that will in fact create the environment that is conducive for more business growth. This along with creating the economic opportunities that should be available all across the country so that Americans don't have to migrate to other countries just to earn a living. This is in light of what is happening today. Thousands and thousands of destitute Americans are immigrating to other countries just because the economic opportunities are more plentiful outside the United States. When people find financial and economic roadblocks right here in America where the land of opportunity has shut there doors in so many faces is a travesty that has to be immediately rectified. That is the purpose and the goal of the Unite States Department of Economic Development.