Economics Begin In The Local Communities
The news yesterday from the National Employment Law Project has a dire message out those who make policy, and that is do something about the unemployment benefits expiring. The National Employment Law Project (NELP) has data to suggest that “450,000 people, who receive $300.00 a week,” will fall into the forgotten data of the real unemployment numbers. The news becomes even worse with the report from today stating “the budget shortfalls of state and local governments.” This news is worse because the common remedy is to raise taxes.
The policy-makers have a tough job of monitoring issues, seeing as how policy makers are not on the front lines of Main Street. The idea remains that $300 a week is plenty to keep a family in a home, paying bills and cabinets full of food. While $300 is nothing to scoff at, the cost of living has exploded over the years. This is a known fact. Policy-makers failed to address unemployment laws/benefits, during the good times, since it did not affect the local budgets.
The unemployed citizens of this nation have an ally who makes the point that small businesses are the life blood of this nation. “If banks were to lend again to small business in her town of Bowling Green, Kentucky, then businesses would hire more people, increasing the city’s income tax and job fee collections for years, said Democratic Mayor Elaine Walker.” Regardless of what party an individual identifies with, the problem is clear, the banks are holding the keys to prosperity of growth.
Small businesses owners have been “under attack” over the years. The small business are typical ma and pa stores of the local communities. The idea of buying local enables a community to thrive, with great budgets. Why? “According to the 3/50 Project, for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that with a national chain, only $43 stays at home. Spend it online and nothing stays in the community.” (The Nation, Shop Locally, by Peter Rothberg, July 23, 2009)
While the policy-makers continue to decide the fate of local communities, the clearest message goes to the bankers of Wall Street. The message is to quit being stingy.
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