How Smarter Government Can Rescue The American Dream

What's Luck Got to Do with It?: How Smarter Government Can Rescue the American Dream

by Edward D. Kleinbard

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5972 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	320 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The American Dream is in jeopardy. The gap between the rich and the poor is growing wider, and the middle class is shrinking. The cost of education and healthcare is rising faster than wages, and many people are struggling to make ends meet.

But there is hope. In his new book, How Smarter Government Can Rescue The American Dream, author and former government official Robert Reich argues that the American Dream is not dead, but it needs to be rescued. Reich identifies several key areas where government can and should play a more active role, including investing in education, infrastructure, and clean energy. He also calls for a more progressive tax system and a stronger social safety net.

Reich's book is a timely and important contribution to the debate about the future of the American Dream. He offers a clear and concise plan for how government can help to create a more just and equitable society.

Investing in Education

One of the most important things that government can do to rescue the American Dream is to invest in education. A good education is the key to economic opportunity, and it is essential for preparing our children for the 21st century workforce.

Unfortunately, the United States is falling behind other developed countries in terms of educational attainment. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),the United States ranks 25th out of 35 developed countries in terms of the percentage of adults with a college degree.

This is a serious problem, because a good education is more important than ever in today's economy. Jobs that require a college degree pay, on average, twice as much as jobs that do not require a college degree.

Government can help to address this problem by investing in early childhood education, K-12 education, and higher education. Early childhood education is essential for preparing children for success in school and life. K-12 education needs to be improved so that all students have the opportunity to succeed in college and the workforce. And higher education needs to be made more affordable so that all students have the opportunity to pursue a college degree.

Investing in Infrastructure

Another key area where government can help to rescue the American Dream is by investing in infrastructure. Infrastructure includes things like roads, bridges, airports, and public transportation.

Investing in infrastructure creates jobs and boosts economic growth. It also makes our communities more livable and sustainable.

Unfortunately, the United States is falling behind other developed countries in terms of infrastructure investment. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the United States has a $2.5 trillion infrastructure gap.

This is a serious problem, because inadequate infrastructure can lead to traffic congestion, delays, and accidents. It can also make it difficult for businesses to operate and for people to get to work and school.

Government can help to address this problem by investing in infrastructure projects. These projects can create jobs, boost economic growth, and make our communities more livable and sustainable.

Investing in Clean Energy

Investing in clean energy is another important way to rescue the American Dream. Clean energy is good for the environment, it is good for our economy, and it is good for our national security.

Investing in clean energy creates jobs and boosts economic growth. It also helps to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and it makes our communities more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Unfortunately, the United States is lagging behind other developed countries in terms of clean energy investment. According to the International Energy Agency, the United States ranks 12th out of 20 developed countries in terms of clean energy investment.

This is a serious problem, because our dependence on foreign oil makes us vulnerable to price shocks and supply disruptions. It also contributes to climate change, which is one of the most serious threats facing our planet.

Government can help to address this problem by investing in clean energy projects. These projects can create jobs, boost economic growth, and make our communities more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Creating a More Progressive Tax System

Another important step that government can take to rescue the American Dream is to create a more progressive tax system. A progressive tax system is one in which the wealthy pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than the poor.

This is important because it helps to redistribute wealth and create a more just and equitable society. It also helps to fund important public programs that benefit everyone, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Unfortunately, the United States has one of the most regressive tax systems in the developed world. This means that the poor and middle class pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than the wealthy.

This is a serious problem, because it makes it difficult for the poor and middle class to make ends meet. It also contributes to wealth inequality and makes it difficult to fund important public programs.

Government can help to address this problem by creating a more progressive tax system. This could be done by increasing taxes on the wealthy and by closing loopholes that allow them to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.

Creating a Stronger Social Safety Net

Finally, government can help to rescue the American Dream by creating a stronger social safety net. A social safety net is a system of programs that provides financial assistance to people who are unable to work or who are facing economic hardship.

This is important because it helps to ensure that everyone has a basic level of economic security. It also helps to reduce poverty and inequality.

Unfortunately, the United States has one of the weakest social safety nets in the developed world. This means that many people who are unable to work or who are facing economic hardship fall through the cracks and do not receive the assistance they need.

This is a serious problem, because it makes it difficult for people to recover from economic setbacks. It also contributes to poverty and inequality.

Government can help to address this problem by creating a stronger social safety net. This could be done by expanding existing programs and by creating new programs that provide financial assistance to people who need it.

The American Dream is in jeopardy, but it is not dead. Government can and should play a more active role in creating a more just and equitable society. By investing in education, infrastructure, and clean energy, and by creating a more progressive tax system and a stronger social safety net, government can help to rescue the American Dream for all.

What's Luck Got to Do with It?: How Smarter Government Can Rescue the American Dream

by Edward D. Kleinbard

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5972 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	320 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE