On Jan 11 1944 FDR proposed a 2nd bill of rights to the nation. He believed that the bill of rights that granted life liberty and happiness could be only secured in today’s world by establishing economic and social rights to human beings. FDR’s bill of economic rights declared that everyone should have a job with a living wage. Businesses should have freedom from unfair competition and monopolies. People have rights to housing, social security, education and medical care. Farmers should receive a fair price for their produce.
His call was largely ignored in his time. In this era of pain let us relook at FDR’s 2nd bill of rights. If the people had the right to housing, public services, employment and businesses and farmers had the right to earn income from a fair and free market then our political rights of life liberty and happiness can be secured.
During the period of Reagan and Thatcher markets were deregulated free trade treaties were made and the state had no role in the economy. The results of this policy was merger of big businesses. The banks took greater control of the economy. There was little market regulation. We live the with results of this mad policy. We have broken banks increasing poverty and less wealth created. I believe that we haven’t learned the lessons of the crash of 2008. We still continue making the same mistakes as before. Horsemeat has been sold as beef in Europe. Because of deregulated markets no one was in charge. The talk of a US EU free trade treaty will make things worse.
Unlike multinationals local businesses have a loyalty to the community. They get nothing from governments and yet they create wealth jobs and support local communities. Support your local business! It is also good for the environment. John O Brien.
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Reblogged this on irishfabian and commented:
An old post including FDR economic bill of rights if this bill had succeeded would the present routs in the USA happen?