Some fiscal ideas from the ‘99 percent’

In the past, various groups have been identified as victims of discrimination. Typically, a minority of the U.S. population have been members of a given victimized group, such as victims of racial discrimination. Public awareness of the plight of victims has usually resulted in changes directed at improving the victims' condition. These changes have not come about without significant expenditure of time, effort and money.

Recently, the rise of the Occupy Wall Street movement has spawned a new and unprecedented category of victims including nearly everyone, i.e. the “99 percent.” Discrimination is said to have occurred when fiscal and political manipulation resulted in 1 percent of the population holding the preponderance of wealth. How can we possibly improve the conditions of the “99 percent” in a fiscally responsible way?

Some ideas include:

l Reduce extremely high health care expenses. How is it that some countries can provide better health care outcomes at a much lower cost?

l Reduce the excessive compensation of chief executive officers and put this money to more productive use. Current CEO compensation at top companies averages a whopping $16.7 million per year or $45,752 per day.

l Create and/or enforce regulations to prevent the recurring financial bubbles that enrich the few and decimate the many.

l Limit the influence of corporations in the political process.

The “99 percent” will not be victims who can be easily ignored.

Robert J. Boes

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