Washington Informer

By Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.

March 22, 2011

Tsunami, earthquake and nuclear horror in Japan. Revolution throughout the Middle East. Grim austerity in much of Europe. America scarred by 25 million people in need of full-time work, and by pressure on wages and benefits. In Egypt, the unemployment of one in four young people led directly to the uprising. In the United States, unemployment among young people nears that level.

 We live in troubled times.

 In America, we learn how corporate corruption and government timidity delayed action on the nuclear plants in Japan, worsening the crisis and putting lives at risk. But aren’t we in this country facing our own tsunami choice? We’re in crisis. Fundamental changes are needed. Yet both parties in Washington seem divorced from the reality that faces us. Both seem to assume there is a recovery, and are turning to how much to cut from the federal budget. Both seem to assume that America can go back to the economy that we had before the Great Recession.

 But for working families, there is little sign of a recovery. Jobs are still scarce; homes are still under water and being foreclosed upon; wages and benefits are still being cut, and vital public services are being dismantled.

 Our old economy cannot — and should not — be recovered. It was built on unsustainable disparities such record trade deficits, Gilded Age inequality and a declining middle class. Wall Street’s bubbles overwhelmed the real economy.

 If we are to rebuild a strong economy with a broad middle class and the opportunity for all to participate in its widely shared blessings, then wrenching and fundamental changes are needed. Consider even a partial list:

 We must transform our energy system, for global warming is accelerating faster than even the alarmists predicted. This requires a bold strategy for building solar and wind energy, deciding about nuclear power, retrofitting homes and buildings, transforming our transportation system and much more. Yet, in Washington, denial dominates the Republicans in the House. The result is that little progress is being made.

 We must rebuild our ability to make things in America, and dramatically change our global strategy. That will require unilateral steps at home and an intense global dialogue to reduce imbalances that all agree can’t be sustained. Yet, Washington is repackaging old trade accords, ignoring ever more aggressive Chinese mercantilism and watching as the trade deficit begins to rise again.

 We must empower workers to capture a fair share of the profits and productivity they produce. Without a broad middle class, there is neither sufficient demand to make the economy work nor sufficient revenue to support vital government services. Yet in Washington, the debate focuses on lowering top tax rates even more, and on protecting tax breaks to the richest Americans.

 Instead of debating ways to empower workers, Republican governors across the country are leading an attack designed to strip workers of their basic rights to bargain collectively.

 We must fix our health care system or it will bankrupt everything. Yet, House Republicans argue only for repealing the reforms that began to curb the excesses of the insurance companies that drive up prices.

 We need a clear strategy for moving to full employment. The largest and most diverse generation in American history is graduating into the worst jobs market since the Great Depression. We cannot afford to squander their talent, their energy and their hopes. And yet, in Washington, their plight is simply ignored.

 There is more — spending less policing the world in order to rebuild America, curbing the big banks, revitalizing our schools, sensibly getting our books in order. But it is as if we are in an old movie house with a broken projector endlessly repeating the same scenes. House Republicans argue for returning to policies like deregulation, top end tax cuts and attacks on workers that drove us into the mess. Democrats remain compromised and divided.

 So for those American commentators who decry the Japanese corporate corruption that impeded response to the nuclear disaster, one word of advice: Do not throw that stone without looking at the glass around you.

The outbreak of violence at the African American Family Day at the National Zoo last Monday (April 25) spoiled a beautiful Easter Monday celebration once again.
Crowds of rowdy teens ran and jostled visitors, many pushing strollers and holding hands with small children, reportedly overtook the event that attracted thousands of Washington area families and tourists. They were there to participate in a multicultural tradition that dates back to the 1890s when African Americans were not allowed to attend the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

By day’s end, Zoo officials were forced to evacuate and close the park and a 16-year-old was arrested and charged with “assault with intent to kill.” Another teen was hospitalized and in serious condition for stab wounds to his upper body. The violence comes 11 years after a shooting held on the same day outside of the Zoo resulted in several young children being hurt. Short of shutting down this annual event, which many visitors who were disgusted with what they experienced are recommending, there are also calls for increased police training and presence, metal detectors, a dress code and a limit on the number of visitors.

The day of celebration brings into a focus a serious problem within the African- American community. Too many African-American children are undisciplined and are not being raised in environments that stress good citizenship.

Peaceoholics founder Ronald Moten realized it with the hundreds of young people he worked with and he often warned city officials about the impact of defunding programs that strive to teach values and discipline to our children. We agree with Moten’s response, the African American Family Day must go on and that we, as adults, cannot shirk our responsibility to make sure young people can enjoy a healthy, safe and fun environment. If it was done for us, we, in turn, must do it for them