The Path to an Equitable Economic Recovery

We see it almost daily in the headlines- the U.S. is trying to recover from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Are things getting better or not? Today a set of economic indicators may say yes, tomorrow a new set may muddle the picture. The Obama Administration has been forced to re-evaluate its strategies and once again come up with a new plan to shore up the flagging economy.

Too often, those most affected by the downturn are left out of the discussion. These are the average families, struggling to get by, often working two to three jobs to pay the bills, including mortgages with suddenly higher interest rates that eat up their income. There are many pioneering organizations around the country that are working to protect and promote the rights of all Americans and make sure they get access to the support available to them as part of the recovery package.

Several trends are clear:

• Americans believe that everyone deserves a fair chance to live up to his or her full potential, which includes access to employment that matches their abilities.
• We are all in this together: individuals and communities will thrive only if we help each other achieve economic security.
• There is a role for government to provide positive leadership, paving the way for innovation and strengthening the middle class.
• Any government action must protect the needs of all Americans, especially those most impacted by the poor economy.
• Quality of jobs is as critical as number of jobs; people deserve good jobs that offer a living wage and provide reasonable benefits.

Among the grassroots efforts across the country:

• A New York based jobs organization has brought public participation to development projects including the post-9/11 rebuilding of lower Manhattan and the new Yankee stadium in the South Bronx.
• An Ohio based group runs an initiative in over 20 states, serving as a model of fair housing and community development based on the premise that everyone should have fair access to the critical opportunity structures needed to succeed in life.
• A California coalition supports the rights of individuals around the state, advocating on their behalf in order to achieve a just and healthy society.

These are just a few of the organizations with spokespeople available to discuss transformative proposals to achieve a fair and equitable economic recovery.