Middle-Class Societies Invest More In Public Education

"Education increases productivity, sparks innovation, and boosts our economic competitiveness."

72 percent of Americans agree that education is extremely important for the economy, however, statistics show that fifteen countries have higher college graduation rates than America. Many middle-class families focus their attention greatly on public education; simply because they can't afford a private school education. They are more willing to pay taxes and support public education than people that are able to send their children to private school- the "rich". The top 1 percent's share of income has risen by almost 14.5% since 1974. This has caused less of an investment in public education. When the middle-class has more political power, investment in education is higher.

Education is an important factor in productivity, mostly for the future generation. I think it is important that we invest more in education in order to stay at the top of the economy. I think this can be accomplished no matter who has political power because education effects every single person in the country, rich or poor. Hopefully one day America will have the highest rates of college graduation, rather than the fifteenth.







http://www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/2011/11/middleclass_education_spending.html

Putting a Face on What’s at Stake in a Clash Over the Minimum Wage

 Many people are having a difficult time managing their lives with the little amount of money they make.  In New York City, City Council Members proposed a living  wage of $10 with benefits, and $11.50 without benefits, which is higher than the federal required minimum wage. The mayor did not agree with the proposal. He compared requiring employers to pay living wage to the Soviet Union.

I think that Christine Quinn should stand up for the people who need her help, rather than worrying about her own political ambitions. The hard-working, lower-class people living in the Bronx are in need of her help. The Mayor of New York should be empathetic to his constituency because it is his responsibility to make sure that everyone, especially those who work hard are able to survive off their income.




http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/nyregion/caught-in-the-middle-of-a-fight-over-a-living-wage.html?ref=minimumwage

Growing Businesses Cut Payrolls, Too

The recession of 2008-2009 has caused people and businesses to invest less and spend less. Although the recession is over, the United States has not fully recovered. The lack of consumer spending has caused business owners to have to cut salaries, lay people off, and stop hiring more employees.

Despite the downfall of the economy, consumer spending on mobile connections has increased by 15 percent. From 2005 to 2007, employment grew from six percent in the wireless telecommunication industry. By 2010, employment fell 14 percent. Similar statistics to the telecommunication industry are seen in other industries and businesses as well. Most businesses drastically cut employees after the recession, even if they were financially stable. Mulligan believes that the reason for the employment decline is because people face financial incentives. These incentives encourage employees not to work and it encourages employers to not hire employees. This is the reason for the lack of jobs available in the US.


http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/12/growing-businesses-cut-payrolls-too/?ref=economy