Latest Moyers and Company interview with Brooks, president of AEI made me want to throw something at the TV. A supreme "moral capitalist", he thinks just because he met with the Dalai Lama and he thinks the spiritual leader of the whole world agrees with him that forcing citizens to share the wealth is wrong and it should be voluntary.
Bill Moyers tried mightily to get Brooks to concede that workers need a raise in the minimum wage but could not get Brooks to agree.
Brooks argues that it would be better to raise the Earned Income Tax Credit and offer it to single men who have children. Brooks think punishing the rich just because they are rich, in this case Walmart whose workers receive over $4000 in government subsidies is still not enough of a reason for Walmart to raise their workers wages to cover the shortfall. Brooks argues that it will force Walmart to layoff workers and it will increase unemployment among those who need these jobs.
Brooks's arguments rang hollow and he certainly is unimpressive in his skills in promoting the free market that allows for such low wage jobs that it,meaning the free market has produced.
It seems to me jobs produced by the free market should produce "living wage" jobs according to the cities where they are located. In New York City, this would mean much more than the minimum wage, etc. Government should not subsidize any for-profit company especially if it performs for Wall Street.
And I did not glean from Brooks any suggestions to how to change the current situation. Really bad performance by this conservative freakazoid.
But i do have another suggestion besides the "living wage" per cost of living by city and state and this would really curl Brooks's hair if he had any, and it's called a JUBILEE.
A JUBILEE for those college graduates who now are drowning in debt due to education loans and it would also begin for those entering college now.
Make it for TEN YEARS while the graduate gets settled into a job, buys a house, buys a car, etc and then he or she can then pay off the loans (with no added interest either) and this would really stimulate the economy and it would happen NOW.
Just my two cents, Mr. Brooks, of the AEI. I have a great idea and you got NOTHING!