Politicians often lament that they can “agitate in poetry” but are forced to “rule in prose.” After all, it is always easier to make promises than laws. But with our current politics poisoned by partisan rancor and our economy threatened by another recession, 2023 is the perfect time for lawmakers to unite our divided country around an agenda to keep our economy thriving.
According to polls, this is what Hispanic voters want. People care more about jobs, wages and the cost of living than political rhetoric.
And not in vain.
The latest federal employment report for December showed signs of concern again. Finally, inflation is also falling, but wages are also rising. Leading economists continue to forecast job losses and a full-blown recession later this year.
The natural temptation for Republicans and Democrats will be to sit back and blame the other side when things go so wrong. But Americans, especially Hispanics, have a primary interest in preventing bad news from spreading. They want Congress to step up, not point fingers.
The good news is that there is a sound policy that allows you to solve these problems, uniting the country in a common cause, helping each other.
First, inflation. As long as prices continue to rise faster than wages, any economic recovery will only be on paper, not in people’s wallets. And as long as Washington continues to spend $1 trillion more than it generates annually, inflation will continue to steal workers’ incomes.
To bring federal spending back under control, Congress must enact a new unified budget that integrates policy goals, spending, and tax revenue into a single process.
Then Congress should fight for small businesses that drive more growth, hiring, and innovation in our economy. I eat? First, by making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 permanent to remove the specter of sudden tax hikes now hanging over the economy. Secondly, providing small businesses with access to capital.
The two bills, the Small Business Empowerment and Development Act and the Small Business Capital Release Act, will work together to reduce regulatory restrictions on small businesses seeking microcredit.
Another long overdue reform is the Workers’ Rights Act, which guarantees workers’ rights to secret union elections and to reject any union political contribution to the causes and candidates they oppose.
None of these bills touches on sensitive cultural issues. Neither would have created much of a stir on social media or in the news. All they will do is create and protect jobs, stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation.
Latinos and all Americans are not interested in left and right, but up and down. Instead of trying (and failing) to be the engine of the economy, Washington should get out of the way and let investors, businessmen and workers take over.
It can be harder for politicians who tweet memes and start talking points. But it would be much better for them, the rising nation and communities that will determine America’s future.
* Cesar Grajales is Director of Communications for the LIBRE Initiative.
Source: La Opinion
David Ortiz is an opinionated and well-versed author, known for his thought-provoking and persuasive writing on various matters. He currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker, where he shares his insight and perspective on today’s most pressing issues. David’s unique voice and writing style make his articles a must-read for those seeking a different point of view.