Capitalism is an economic, social and political system where private individuals control a country’s trade and business. Capitalism flourishes because it celebrates the worst of the human condition: greed, self-interest and ego. It also recognizes the advantages of competition and market forces. This leads to a great tension between what is good for the capitalist and what is good for everyone else and the country.
In the United States this tension has resolved in favor of the capitalist time and again. Money talks. As a result of the capitalist wanting to maximize profits for themselves, we get poor wages and often are forced to work in unsafe conditions; all while they plunder the land and resources of our country and pollute our air, land and water.
Of late, when workers try to organize or ask for a wage increase, the capitalist threatens to move their operations to another country. In fact, hundreds of U.S. companies have moved, simply to maximize profit for themselves, all the while putting Americans out of work. Clearly, what is good for the capitalist is not good for the country or its workforce.
So how is this resolved?
Socialism is not the answer, because giving the government control of business is a losing proposition. Instead, we need to examine what socialism is trying to accomplish for workers, and find a way to protect our country and its workers within our democratic values.
This is where the tenets of the Pro American Party shine. They create stability and security in a system that currently has neither. They also create an economic floor for workers that allow them the dignity of working and paying their own way in our society. In so doing it creates the forces required to make business work in a way that is in the best interests of our country. Importantly in this regard, it also protects businesses from unfair competition from abroad. In short, the PAP protects workers, increases economic security, protects U.S. business and serves to unite the country.
I encourage you to read all 12 tenets that have been discussed to date, but in the meantime, here are some highlights of how the Pro American Party resolves the tension between the capitalist and the country.
Tenet #1 – Requires businesses who sell their products or services to Americans to employ Americans. It also provides for a very low tax rate for those companies that comply, while punishing companies that do not.
Tenet #2 – Abolishes welfare, but creates guaranteed jobs at a fair wage. Abolishes corporate welfare, but reduces corporate taxes. By guaranteeing a minimum wage of $12 an hour, it forces business to match that rate or be unable to attract workers.
Tenet #3 – Endorses the scientific method as a fair way to determine facts. As per our constitution, does not endorse religion, but allows our citizens to believe in whatever God they choose.
Tenet #4 – Creates in-country production requirements for all products deemed to have a connection to national security. This will bring manufacturing back to our country.
Tenet #5 – Establishes a requirement for a balanced budget and revises the tax system. Changes the way budgets are established.
Tenet #6 – Ensures our military will remain the best in the world.
Tenet #7 – Creates a requirement for all Americans to give 2 years of service to their country after graduating high school or reaching the age of 18. There are many ways to complete this service requirement. Once this service requirement is complete the recipient will be eligible for up to 2 years of free college or trade school education. Those who complete their 2 years of education with at least a C average are then eligible for an additional two years of college without cost.
Tenet #8 – Requires the title of all laws passed by Congress to truly reflect their impact. Creates a non-partisan group to evaluate all laws and to publish their findings prior to a law being enacted.
Tenet #9 – Creates a yearly survey of all businesses and determines the educational, vocational and other skill requirements of businesses and broadcasts that information to all school districts in the country.
Tenet #10 – Punishes businesses that pollute our environment. Creates a fund, paid by business, to correct pollution problems.
Tenet #11 – Protects our military veterans and their physical and emotional health. Provides a higher hourly wage for all veterans…for the rest of their lives. Provides additional death payments for the spouses/families of veterans who die in the line of duty.
Tenet #12 – Eliminates high crime/high unemployment areas by bringing together business and government resources.
Those citizens who have chosen to enter the military will have exposed themselves to the dangers and horrors of war; perhaps the most meaningful way possible to honor our country.
Second, honorably discharged military members who served during a time of war who transition to non-military government jobs will receive three dollars an hour more than their cohorts, for the rest of their lives.
The VA will continue to exist and will focus on finding ways to help veterans with PTSD and other service-related physical and mental injuries.
If I Had The Power 