Economy Crazy
I've been a bit obsessed with economics lately. For the first time in my life I have begun to understand just how fascinating it can be. I may have missed a calling. Of course, I would have had to have made an effort to understand mathematical and statistical concepts in school, but no one told me that they had an interesting sociological componant so I didn't care. I just thought it was for the eggheads.
Of course, I've always loved eggheads, but didn't want to be one.
Here is what is getting me all fired up about economics- the greater public is really not paying attention. Since the actual FACTS about the economic structure of our society aren't quite sexy enough and hurricanes shaped like a fetus apparently are, people are not paying attention to the economic forces that shape their lives. This does not bode well for us as a nation. Ignoring the economic factors that determine our very survival in a capitalist system means that we are all too focused on unwinable social battles that will only serve to re-elect loud, self-righteous politicians who pull the old bait and switch. Elect me because I say homosexuality is an abomination! But while I am in office I will vote for legisation that favors big business, wipes out the family farm, destroys social security, and punishes women for ANY choice they make! But I am one of YOU because I don't think gays should get married! Really? In all honesty, homosexuals living together and getting married does not directly affect too many people, but the corporatization of America hits you every day!
Take child care in this country. Business (which, as a nation we have decided is "good", so for the purposes of this discussion I will work under that assumption) has constructed a 24/7 society. As a nation, especially in our urban centers, we are supposed to be on the go 24 hours a day. However, child care centers (which are more affordable than a nanny, aupair or other, more flexible options) are usually only available from 8- 6. I can't blame owners and operators in the child care industry, necessarily, because it is expensive to run a business like that and there are few, if any, government supports for the child care industry. Why? Because, socially speaking, the nation is afraid of communists. Funny. There is an overwhelming need for affordable child care to help run this nation and yet we are all on our own.
During World War II when men had gone off to war and Rosie the Riviter went to work, what do you think happend to the nation's children? There were government run child care centers all over the country. Some better than others, but they were available 24 hours a day to support the war effort. I've read tales of a few centers that offered incredible services to the working mother. You could drop off your laundry, buy a hot meal to bring home, leave a grocery list and pick up your groceries on your way home! Can you imagine? So, if government could mobilize to help working women then, why can't they now?
Because the only women the government really wants working are poor black women. If you are white you should stay home and raise your children during those all important first years of life. Stay home, care for your flock, be a good mommy. If you are black you need to get your lazy ass off the couch and work. Don't complain about never getting to see your kids, we'll raise them for you. We'll raise them for you in conditions that we tell white parents are substandard, but for you, it's okay.
Economic assumptions rule our lives as Americans. Most of those assumptions are not true. There are more white women on welfare in this country than black. Yet what is the representative face of welfare? It's a black face. Who put that face there, and why? The socio-economic factors that allow black culture and white culture to be two separate entities in this nation also allow us to demonize the "other". This way we can accept getting rid of welfare because the face is not the same as ours. This has meaning in our lives. This has meaning for government. Government cannot get rid of gays or shove them back into the closet. Government cannot outlaw Jews or Muslims or anyone else that makes you uncomfortable. (I hope not!) But government CAN destroy your farm, make it more difficult for you to work, determine the minimum wage, and provide the basic economic framework for this nation. So, why are we busy arguing over these social issues that truly affect so few of us?
Because it elects Republicans and favors big business. Big business wants your money, your time, your loyalty and your blood. And they want it cheap.
Don't let them have it.
Of course, I've always loved eggheads, but didn't want to be one.
Here is what is getting me all fired up about economics- the greater public is really not paying attention. Since the actual FACTS about the economic structure of our society aren't quite sexy enough and hurricanes shaped like a fetus apparently are, people are not paying attention to the economic forces that shape their lives. This does not bode well for us as a nation. Ignoring the economic factors that determine our very survival in a capitalist system means that we are all too focused on unwinable social battles that will only serve to re-elect loud, self-righteous politicians who pull the old bait and switch. Elect me because I say homosexuality is an abomination! But while I am in office I will vote for legisation that favors big business, wipes out the family farm, destroys social security, and punishes women for ANY choice they make! But I am one of YOU because I don't think gays should get married! Really? In all honesty, homosexuals living together and getting married does not directly affect too many people, but the corporatization of America hits you every day!
Take child care in this country. Business (which, as a nation we have decided is "good", so for the purposes of this discussion I will work under that assumption) has constructed a 24/7 society. As a nation, especially in our urban centers, we are supposed to be on the go 24 hours a day. However, child care centers (which are more affordable than a nanny, aupair or other, more flexible options) are usually only available from 8- 6. I can't blame owners and operators in the child care industry, necessarily, because it is expensive to run a business like that and there are few, if any, government supports for the child care industry. Why? Because, socially speaking, the nation is afraid of communists. Funny. There is an overwhelming need for affordable child care to help run this nation and yet we are all on our own.
During World War II when men had gone off to war and Rosie the Riviter went to work, what do you think happend to the nation's children? There were government run child care centers all over the country. Some better than others, but they were available 24 hours a day to support the war effort. I've read tales of a few centers that offered incredible services to the working mother. You could drop off your laundry, buy a hot meal to bring home, leave a grocery list and pick up your groceries on your way home! Can you imagine? So, if government could mobilize to help working women then, why can't they now?
Because the only women the government really wants working are poor black women. If you are white you should stay home and raise your children during those all important first years of life. Stay home, care for your flock, be a good mommy. If you are black you need to get your lazy ass off the couch and work. Don't complain about never getting to see your kids, we'll raise them for you. We'll raise them for you in conditions that we tell white parents are substandard, but for you, it's okay.
Economic assumptions rule our lives as Americans. Most of those assumptions are not true. There are more white women on welfare in this country than black. Yet what is the representative face of welfare? It's a black face. Who put that face there, and why? The socio-economic factors that allow black culture and white culture to be two separate entities in this nation also allow us to demonize the "other". This way we can accept getting rid of welfare because the face is not the same as ours. This has meaning in our lives. This has meaning for government. Government cannot get rid of gays or shove them back into the closet. Government cannot outlaw Jews or Muslims or anyone else that makes you uncomfortable. (I hope not!) But government CAN destroy your farm, make it more difficult for you to work, determine the minimum wage, and provide the basic economic framework for this nation. So, why are we busy arguing over these social issues that truly affect so few of us?
Because it elects Republicans and favors big business. Big business wants your money, your time, your loyalty and your blood. And they want it cheap.
Don't let them have it.
posted by Bree O'Connor at 11:23 AM
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