With all the delays in Congress related to the latest Covid-19 stimulus bill that includes raising the minimum wage, there are many factors that business owners and the government need to address. We have to remember that to have a balanced and stable economy, which distributes wealth proportionally in societies, is to adhere to the “Williams Theory of Economic Evolution”. The theory states: the more people have enough disposable income to spend, save, pay off debt, and invest, the greater the outcome of a shaky economy. And, today our economy is anything but stable. That being said, when our government focuses on mandating that the federal minimum wage reach $15 an hour within the next four years, it points America in the right direction to stabilize our economy. However, more must be done to close the largest wealth disparity gap in our history. Simply forcing the minimum wage up won’t even come close.

That old saying “When you pay for peanuts you can expect a lot of monkeys” is becoming more apparent in our society today. It just so happens that we now have a host of “monkeys” who have taken their place in the workplace today, such as our elected Republicans. The logic of most employers when it comes to payroll has left the workplace nearly empty of qualified, experienced, and loyal employees. It’s no wonder that the quality, durability, reliability, and affordability of most goods and services provided or manufactured in the United States have declined. The inability to apply sound business principles has only accelerated the economic crisis that continues to affect every community in the United States. The past financial crisis and the subprime crisis were evidence of this fact. The continuing downward ripple effect that is still occurring in our economy is being facilitated by the continued failure of the United States government to implement energy policies that actually reduce our dependence on foreign imports while lowering the cost of fuel and power.

The budget crisis that is currently leaving communities so devastated that our public servants like teachers are caught in the whirlwind of budget cuts. The side effects of all these proposed cuts will be slashed payrolls, resulting in higher unemployment and reduced services, all of which manifests in a distorted sense of accomplishment that the government is finally doing the public will. As in the public sector and the business world, both are missing the boat when it comes to creating prosperity. The real problem is that tax bases across America are so depleted due to the current pandemic, past economic policies, the lack of an energy program, and continued government interference in all the regulations and red tape being imposed. . the few remaining vestiges of the businesses that are still around. All of this plus the current trend of stagnating wages or worse, lagging wages on remaining employment opportunities have depleted our workforce, which constitutes taxes, which creates stability and positive economic activity.

In all facets of economic activity, when payrolls are cut, it sets off a ripple effect in which any product, whether in manufacturing or related to service, often becomes inferior almost to the point of being worthless. For example, when states underfund current mandatory spending, for example, for public education, the education of our youth becomes less effective. When a decline in education occurs, society, the public, and this entire country will suffer enormous consequences that will reduce the ability of the United States to compete in the Global Market now and in the future. We had better address this fact considering that our schools have been closed for most of the year.

To get the monkey off America’s back we have to take an entirely different path. One that will restore our tax base. One that will restore living wages. One that will replace the lost employment opportunities that have been vanquished by more than 30 years of failed economic policies. One that will produce generations of student achievement to regain our prominence in academia. One that puts more depositable income in everyone’s pockets. One of those who guarantees our national security. One that ensures that the stability of this country will thrive for generations to come.

When our illustrious legislatures continue to engage in rhetoric specifying more of the same policies only with different variations in their attempt to resolve what is an international economic crisis, it only further harms every community. One of the first steps in saving our economy is to first realize that current policies have not worked. Once everyone recognizes this fact, we are now faced with how to achieve the results that are so urgently needed. The fastest and best way out of this dilemma is through education. Knowing that only comprehensive reform of all our current policies is vital to achieving the results that will effectively lift America out of the abyss of economic degradation and into a much more prosperous future.

Do our elected officials and business leaders have the determination to address what is needed? The price of doing what we have been doing in the face of any economic upheaval is too high. A bunch of monkeys {like our legislatures} have not dispelled the wave after wave of turmoil that is barring this country from getting out of that economic abyss. Only the implementation of new reforms will provide the answers and the cure to end an economic and social catastrophe that was started by so many legislatures and business leaders when they played with current policies. The past subprime mess was just one prime example of the enormous misery caused to so many millions. Now is the time to reform our policies and invest for the future. The implementation of the Ten Articles of Confederation of the National Economic Reform are the reforms that will propel the United States towards a healthier and more stable future.