MAFTA - A Modest Proposal for Preventing Middle Class Cannibalism.

[Snarkoleptic]

Last edited Sat Feb 23, 2013, 12:24 PM - Edit history (1)

OK, we've been selling it wrong. If what we desire is a true living wage and a REAL expansion of the middle class, I propose we get our elected officials behind MAFTA.

Mafta is the Middle-class American Fair Trade Agreement.

Politicians love optics and routinely refer to legislation is a way that's completely contrary to what it was designed to do. (think - "Repeal the job-killing Obamacare bill&quot . MAFTA is a proposal that has the right optics since, at least on the surface, most politicians are for expaning the middle class. Republiclowns representing deep red districts will never support such a thing as they are often (unknowing or not), puppets of the plutocrats. These plutocrats have us fighting over god, gays and guns, while they strip us clean.

I think with a website, gramatically correct protest signs, and maybe even a couple of tri-corner hats, we could get the masses behind such a thing and finally thow off the plutocratic yoke of oppression.

Here are my intial thought on how this thing could be based.
Develop a national manufacturing strategy with tarrifs and a VAT.
Cap CEO compensation at 8-10 times the median wage of their employees.
Progressive taxation with no carried interest deduction.
A 1 cent per transaction fee to tamp down high frequency trading and have Wall St revert to an "efficient direction of capital to the best ideas" model.
Reform the H1B visa program to wring out abuses.
Link wages to gains in productivity.



Your thoughts on what could be included?

[hedda_foil]

1. Great name. Great idea!

This needs to go viral!

[senseandsensibility]

2. I like it!

Very good concept.

[pediatricmedic]

3. Seems mostly good.

Develop a national manufacturing strategy with tariffs and a VAT.
This could easily backfire. Tariffs are not just one sided, other countries can respond in kind. I would rather see a policy of an automatic tariff match. A VAT also doesn't really bother the rich, it really only effects the poor and middle class.

Cap CEO compensation at 8-10 times the median wage of their employees.
I like this part a lot.

Progressive taxation with no carried interest deduction.
This sounds good as well.

A 1 cent per transaction fee to tamp down high frequency trading and have Wall St revert to an "efficient direction of capital to the best ideas" model.
This is something that is really needed.

Reform the H1B visa program to wring out abuses.
Another good idea. We need to be more selective with this program. I have no problem poaching talented people from other countries, but the H1B program should not be a low wage alternative to local employees.

Link wages to gains in productivity.
Could be difficult to implement, the moving goal post idea. Actual productivity is fairly static until a new process or equipment is added as well.

[xtraxritical]

4. Link wages to productivity...

Bad idea, more productivity can mean less workers. Never allow productivity to increase if it can be helped.

[WinkyDink]

5. That was my "Say what?" moment, but not for your "reason."

Whether Nation X buys U.S. cars or steel or washing machines has nothing to do, and never did have anything to do, with the "productivity" of workers.

[xtraxritical]

6. The definition of productivity is output per worker.

If productivity is high it means they're making more product with less workers.

[Snarkoleptic]

7. Right on!

I ran out to spend the day with my wingnut side of the family and appreciate your comments.

[xtraxritical]

10. Well hey, thanks. Even my wife never says that!

[cbrer]

8. Eat the Rich nt

[Snarkoleptic]

9. You are on to something.

The excessive accumulation (hoarding) of wealth reduces the velocity of money in our economy.