Recently major corporations and CEO's have been bemoaning the Supreme Courts ruling on the Affordable Care Act, derisively labeled "Obamacare" by the Republican/Conservative brand. Their gripe is they will not hire or attempt to innovate due to 'uncertainty' created by the supposed taxes and requirements of the new healthcare law. Really? Businesses continue to take no risks, downsize and cut workers not because of a glaring lack of demand by consumers who have no money, but because of the mercurial and almighty specter of 'economic uncertainty'? How often have all of us heard this pathetic excuse and how much more will we all hear it before the truth sets in?
The economy is struggling because there is a clear and present lack of demand. There is a lack of demand for products, goods and services because the vast majority of the middle class and the poor simply do not have discretionary cash to buy things to help fuel the economy. The minimum wage hampers consumers who would like to spend money but barely have enough to get by. Economic wealth is concentrated at the top where all of those rich people supposedly create jobs. An under-educated workforce cannot take advantage of infrastructure innovation and construction jobs and industries they support because conservatives think only tax cuts generate revenue necessary to build and maintain the country. To the corporations out there: Life is uncertain. Get with the program and support policies that stimulate demand if you want to really do business in America.
Troy Stafford
Williamsport
