Wages, inequality, housing, generations and work.
112 articles · page 3 of 6
No democracy can exist with a wealth gap between the majority of citizens and its most privileged and powerful political layer of citizens. The wealth gap that developed since the administration of Ronald Reagan (1981–1989) now approaches that preceding the Great Depression (1929-1932). At both times, the social and political implications…
Whenever there is a national scandal, assassination, security breach, news of corporate corruption, or financial debacle, the go-to remedy for these societal and economic shocks is to conduct an investigation. This is the government’s typical reaction to events it let happen or did not want to, or could not control. So, it…
How bad is the wealth disparity in the U.S.? This chart should help explain it.
In a dramatic departure from its past, the nation’s most reactionary, conservative and largest business lobbying group is responding to changes in Washington and calling on Congress to work together and “govern from the center.” In an NPR radio interview today, the chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it…
UPDATED, MARCH 14, 2019–In his announcement today saying he was entering the 2020 presidential race, Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) dispelled his maverick image by saying he was a capitalist. In his announcement, O’Rourke, who has few legislative accomplishment to tout, said “”I’m a capitalist. I don’t see how we’re able to…
Concerns about the ability to lead a financially secure retirement remains a top priority for many Americans, according to a new survey by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). In their new Personal Financial Planning Trends Survey, 30% of the CPA planners who participated in the survey said that “running out of…
In his State of the Union speech, Donald Trump predictably made several controversial, inaccurate statements. However, one that caught many people off-guard was his comment that America would never be a socialist nation. In his speech, Trump said: “America was founded on liberty and independence and not government coercion, domination and control. We…
On a regular basis, some of the largest investment firms in the industry conduct surveys about the state of retirement, individual investor attitudes and their preference about what they would like from their financial advisor or investment firm. These surveys are often statistically rigorous and authoritative, so they can help contribute to…
The Mueller investigation is not only an indictment of Trump and his family, but of any entire economic system. No wonder people are looking for new economic alternatives. Americans have developed an odd fascination with wealth. Most are not sure how vast amounts of money are accumulated and when it happens to someone, it generates…
Recent reports that younger people (aged 38 to 34) prefer to rent rather than buy homes are bad for the $10 trillion housing industry and retirement accounts. A new report by the Stanford Center on Longevity found that “the homeownership rate fell to 63% in 2016 – the lowest rate in half a century, and down…
Financial advisors who want to be honest with the clients, should tell them the reason they feel poor is because they are. Real wages and wage stagnation have been developing since the ’70s as a by-product of Ronald Reagan’s neoliberal policies, compounded by the Fed’s view that any wage growth contributes to inflation. That was…
While economics is a cornerstone of the progressive agenda, many people, including some in the DNC, don’t know the specifics of how changes in the economic and financial systems can benefit Americans. Money drives politics, so it is in the interests of informed investors to know how these policies can advance liberty,…
A new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) finds “unprecedented wage stagnation.” Despite a more robust economy with record low unemployment rates and a far-reaching and controversial tax cut, the average wages of American workers have not budged since the late 1970s when “the average American has been…
Many political commentators belittle the progressive social and economic agenda as unrealistic, too radical and pie-in-the-sky. Not true. Progressive financial policies are being used in various degrees by developed nations worldwide and especially in nations that have accessible health care for their citizens, lower infant mortality rates, a retirement safety net for their citizens and…
During the summer, teacher strikes in West Virginia, Arizona, Oklahoma and Kentucky all focused on issues relating to pay and benefits, but one important factor was also addressed: Teachers working full time cannot afford to buy or rent homes near where they work. This is especially true in school districts close to major cities…
With over $19 trillion under management and the largest political lobby in Washington, you would think the investment industry, comprised of global banks, investment firms, U.S. registered investment companies and the insurance industry, would have a vested interest in seeing that more Americans enjoy a financially comfortable retirement. But if you believe…
Prompted by a slight uptick in wage growth last month and the resulting volatility it caused in the equity markets, the continuing tug-of-war between containing inflation and wage growth Fed and political policies is getting more attention, but little action. The good news is that there are more articles on this topic that…
It’s no secret to more astute investors and political progressives that the decades-long battle to eliminate pensions and replace them with 401(k) is all about who takes the most amount of financial risk and has the most power to influence decisions made by investment firms and corporations. When a state or county converts…
A recent survey conducted by the US Census Bureau found that the number of people without private or government health or life insurance decreased in number every year in the last four years. Economic trends, demographic make-up, and health care policies influence the rate of health insurance coverage in the United States. Due…
