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NEWS-LOCAL1245

Member Letter: President Puts Citizens Above Profits of a Few

March 26, 2009

For all the opposition about taxing the wealthy back to pre-Bush levels, it’s interesting to take note that during the 1950’s and ’60s, it took one income in a family to provide home ownership, raise kids, send them to college, have affordable health care and even buy a new car once in awhile. Both corporations and individuals were paying more in taxes and with many less loopholes.

During those times, America was really on the top of the standard of living on almost all fronts. Schools and highways were built and maintained, education was basically free (tuition at Sacramento State for me in 1970 was roughly $150 a semester), and jobs paid well with almost total benefits. There were periodic recessions, but it didn’t bankrupt very many individuals or industries.

I remember the wealthy still seemed to be very wealthy, corporations were doing very well, and the American Dream was a true experience for the majority — a real majority were middle class. Wages weren’t low-balled, part-time jobs were for those who only wanted to work part time and everything we wore, drove, used and ate was made right here in the U.S.A.

What happened to change all that? Reaganomics and the de-regulation, trickle-down Neo-con theory of economics; sending jobs and entire industries overseas, union-busting legislation, and the quick-profit mentality without regard for future stability, whether on main street or Wall Street.

I am glad we finally have a President who is putting the country and it’s citizens above the profit of a few. It’s too bad that many workers don’t view their own interests over those of the well-to-do.

Greg Kestel

Santa Rosa, CA

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