Tommy Tainant
Diamond Member
In the US, Joe Biden is backing the unions. Britain can only look on in envy | Martin Kettle
The UK needs a political leader who will put dignified work at the heart of our post-Covid recovery, says Guardian columnist Martin Kettle
www.theguardian.com
Most newspaper articles are written to tight deadlines and do not bear much scrutiny. But I will make an exception here. I think that it is a hugely important piece and is something that all left leaning parties in the UK, and the world, need to take on board.
Last week, Joe Biden unveiled a $2tn infrastructure renewal plan whose boldness and scale caught the attention of the world. He began his launch speech in Pittsburgh with a particularly striking affirmation. “I’m a union guy,” the president said. “I support unions. Unions built the middle class. It’s about time they start to get a piece of the action.”
Biden’s American Jobs Plan consists of many more substantial things than this warm rhetorical embrace of America’s trade unions. The package involves massive federal investment in transport, housing, green jobs, electric cars, social care and much else besides. And Biden has vowed to reverse much of Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts on companies and the wealthy in order to pay for it.
Strong societies are not built on tax cuts for the rich. The gig economy enriches the few and leaves the many struggling to pay the rent and feed their kids.The tidal wave of the me me me society unleashed by reagan and his bitch thatcher has been holding sway for 40 years and this is the best hope we have of turning that tide.
There is a better way and people must be at the heart of it. America is leading the way and I hope the rest of the world has the sense to follow.