Several of the tenets of the Pro American Party are aimed at leveling the playing field for all Americans, especially the poor. In this respect, those with great wealth have been asked to contribute more so that we can change the basic structure of our society. This change is necessary to allow us, as a country, to create a ‘floor’ below which no Americans can fall. It is our belief that this change of structure will do more than just help the poor. It will also help the rich, especially those with long-term views of the needs of society.
The current economic structure is, and has been, increasing the wealth of the 1% at the expense of the rest of us. As this gap continues to grow it will undoubtedly cause an increase in tensions between the haves and have nots. Sooner or later, if history can serve as a guide, this will cause a call to arms.
However, this need not be so.
It is our belief that the huge majority of Americans are, and would be content, living a life without wealth. Once basic needs are met most of us turn to other concerns. The constant pursuit of wealth is not a goal for the great majority of us. Likewise, having to worry about the motives of everyone we meet is a strain and drain on our quality of life that most of us are happy we can avoid. Many of us are content to allow the rich to continue their endless pursuit of more wealth, while we pursue a higher quality of life that is not dependent on wealth.
Still, there is a way for the rich to help the country. Although there are many avenues that could be pursued in this regard, in this article we will focus on non-profits.
One of the biggest disgraces of many non-profits is that the CEOs enrich themselves at the expense of those they are supposed to be serving. Perhaps many of these CEOs are simply at that point in their lives in which making money for themselves is more important than the cause they are supposedly leading. In any case, this is an area in which those who have already made their millions or billions can make a positive impact on the lives of ordinary Americans. And at the same time find a way to give back to their country in a meaningful way, one that establishes for them a reputation for caring…a way to leave a lasting legacy.
Our suggestion is that those who want to leave a positive impact and lasting legacy lead the non-profit of their choice without compensation. This would be a selfless act that would allow more of the monies raised by the non-profit to go towards the use for which it was originally intended. Please do not read into this suggestion as meaning that only the rich can show leadership…no such claim is being made. Instead the status of being ‘rich’ simply allows a person to work without compensation if they so choose. Those who choose to take such a path might find new meaning and purpose in their own lives, one that is not measured by the size of its paycheck.
Perhaps it is pie in the sky, but over the long term our hope is that such a change would cause all Americans of means to choose to find a way to make a difference that improves life for all.
I’m watching Rep Lou Barletta (R) PA lie to the American public. He is on CNN trying to drum up support for building a wall. Barletta is a Trump supporter and he is explaining to Wolf Blitzer that illegal immigration is the cause for low wages in America. The annoying thing is that many will believe him, and with that belief they will feel justified to hate immigrants in general and Mexicans in particular. It is sad, but important to acknowledge that this is a continuing theme of the Republican party…and it only leads to false information and increased prejudice.
So now there are two issues to address. The first is to really examine the effect of Mexican labor in the U.S., whether legal or not, and the second is to critically examine why wages are depressed.
In the big picture it is important to know that illegal immigrants take an estimated 2 to 3 percent of all U.S. jobs and if we limit our search to only the construction and manufacturing trades that estimate is less than 1 percent. Certainly not worth all the hoopla if we take prejudice out of the equation.
It is interesting to note that while candidate Trump rails against the practice of outsourcing jobs, businessman Trump does it all the time. It was recently revealed that his signature clothing line uses workers in the poorest countries on earth…paying worker 30 cents an hour in Bangladesh. This is the nature of the problem; even the filthy rich are willing to screw the average Joe…why settle for 10 billion when you can go for 11 billion?
Recently I listened to Lindsey Graham, the senator from South Carolina, express concern that Democrats will split their party between moderates and progressives. His concern is that this would result in total gridlock in the Congress. Not that we don’t have gridlock now, but the problem Graham discusses will not happen.
Graham was referencing the splintering of the Republican Party with the advent of the Tea Party. The primary difference is that Tea Party members are likely to believe in a very limited role for government. That is why they are willing to shut the government down…it suits their agenda.
Donald Trump is a hero to all of us middle-aged white men. We have had tough lives and didn’t get the fair shake we deserved. The Donald is expressing my rage and disgust with the way things are going in our country. He isn’t afraid to speak out. Here are some examples:
On Obama and Baltimore: “Our great African American President hasn’t exactly had a positive impact on the thugs who are so happily and openly destroying Baltimore!” I really like the fact that he included the race of our president…otherwise people wouldn’t know.
“I’ve said if Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.” Have you seen her, don’t let the father/daughter thing get in the way!
On his party affiliation
“That wasn’t me. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” So now we have those pesky forensic recording experts lying to us. Figures.
The sword of Damocles is hanging over every American household, suspended by a hair, and is ready to fall.
Few Americans like extremes of the left or the right. They prefer a government which represents the happy middle. At least that’s what they say. Because they don’t practice what they preach, not many presidents have been able to unite the country, except in cases of national emergency. As a result most Americans are divided by political partisanship, class egoism, and other evils that keep them constantly frustrated.
Since democracy is based on majority rule, and capitalism is not, the U.S. has two antagonistic governments and cannot please them both. The elected members of congress constitute the legal de jure government, by right and title, and wealthy capitalists the de facto government, by the use of bribe money. As already pointed out, this competition has already been won by rich capitalists, the poor be damned.
For this reason, most corporate leaders with a scintilla of intelligence think it is easier to deal with greedy, pliable politicians who lust for money, power, or influence. Although few modern politicians will admit to you that they are, as some Robber Barons used to call them. “Mere field agents entrusted with the handling of Congress for the benefit of business interests,” their nineteenth century counterparts were more honest. In 1896, Republican Senator Boies Penrose of Pennsylvania publicly admitted it. “I believe in the division of labor,” said he. “You send us to Congress: we pass laws which make you money… and out of your profits, you further contribute to our campaign funds to send us back to pass more laws to enable you to make more money.”
If I Had The Power 