Why do I say a chance of avoiding catastrophe? I say that because only with a big democratic win, meaning more house seats and a greater than sixty-two seat majority in the Senate, will the possibility exist to fix the economy. And then the Obama administration must plan on large government spending plans, and by large I mean five to six trillion dollars over the next four years to accomplish the change needed to move the country and the world in the right direction.
A word on money. Five to six trillion dollars sounds like a whole lot of money and I admit it ain't chicken feed. But during WW2 the country spent six trillion dollars of today's money a year for a total of thirty trillion dollars. Thirty trillion dollars is serious money. Five to six trillion dollars is moderate. I propose less because we are not fighting a war, but more than five to six trillion dollars may be needed.
Anything less than big democratic wins and the trivial requests of the Obama administration for infrastructure and tax cuts (which are a waste without demand) will only slow the increasing poverty rate. As workers fall off the unemployment rolls, unemployment may flatten. But only by creating more jobs than there are people entering the work force will unemployment fall and that ain't happening under the current proposals. If you don't believe me just wait and see.
The solution is through the government creating demand. Demand can be created through government spending. Lord knows (and I am an atheist) we need pot holes, bridges, water mains, sewer mains, schools, mass transit, rail road tracks, and more built or refurbished. In addition to infrastructure the country needs more housing and much better health care. And then there is education. All levels from day care / preschool through graduate school need to be improved. College should be free for all who are qualified and education to qualify people for college should be free. Vocational training free of charge should also be provided.
And then there is energy. We need both green energy and energy saving solutions. Everything from electric cars to LED light bulbs needs to be manufactured here and used. Everything from using dams, water currents, wind mills, and even nuclear energy needs to be considered and built. And that is just in this country.
We need to work with our trading partners so that all countries we trade with allow workers to form labor unions. We should insist on better currency regulation with our trading partners. We should insist on our trading partners educating all their citizens and in particular include women. In impoverished nations we should provide micro-loans to women to start businesses. We should provide green energy solutions to impoverished nations of the world. We should insist on "living" wages for those who produce goods.
All of this and more is needed. Five to six trillion dollars is a modest sum to start accomplishing these goals.
So what will happen if democrats maintain control of bother houses but lose seats? The answer is simple, very little. Poverty will continue to increase. The difference between the rich and the rest of us will continue to grow. Global warming will continue unabated. Unemployment will continue to grow slowly. The world's population and the US population will continue to be angry. Terrorism will continue to expand.
And if republicans take control of one or both houses of congress, well they will fight the Obama administration every way possible. Just think more impeachment proceedings, another government shutdown, lack of funding for anything but war and defense spending in republican districts. Unemployment will sky rocket and the economy will go to hell.
Sadly voting alone accomplishes little. We must fight to explain to democrats and the Obama administration the importance of government spending to create jobs. We must fight hard to ensure larger democratic majorities in both houses. Modest change is not enough, we need significant change and NOW. Only by fighting to bring that change will it happen. Otherwise, we are faced with catastrophe. We cannot afford McConnell blocking change. We cannot allow O'Donnell, Paul, Angle in the Senate. We cannot afford Carl Paladino, the biggest nut job of all, becoming governor of New York. Yeah O'Donnell is in the running.
Whether or not you think it is possible, we must work for larger democratic majorities. To those of you who call me a concern troll, you bet your ass I am concerned, but I sure as hell ain't a troll.