6 Premises of a Fair, Just Economy

If there's one thing progressives can learn from conservatives, it's this: know your foundation. No matter who controls the House, Senate or White House, conservatives don't veer from their fundamental ideals, from limited government to family values. Even as the U.S. works to (painstakingly slowly) recover from a deregulation-induced recession, the Becks, Limbaughs and Hannitys of the country never miss an opportunity to spout free market propaganda.

If early election polls hold true, this tenacity is paying off handsomely. But have no fear, progressives. At this critical juncture in American politics, we, too, have the ability to carve out our economic ideals in clear, simple terms. In fact, someone's already done it for us: Deepak Bhargava, Executive Director at the Center for Community Change (not to mention a recent addition to Glenn Beck's list of stealthy, America-destroying communists). In an eloquent presentation at the Netroots Nation 2010 conference this past weekend in Las Vegas, Bhargava clearly articulated six premises on which progressives can base the creation of a fair, just economy in America.

With Bhargava's permission, and with great enthusiasm, I share them with you here:

1) Wealth is not the product of an individual heroic entrepreneur. Instead, wealth is created by everyone in society, from teachers to automobile assemblers to CEOs to truck drivers. We all contribute to the production of wealth, so we all have a moral stake in its distribution.

2) Our quality of life is substantially more important than the private accumulation of wealth. Our policies, therefore, should lead to the general well-being of all Americans, not just an elite few.

3) Although Ayn Rand, a favorite among modern conservatives, may disagree, human beings are complex and not exclusively driven by selfishness. We're capable of acting morally, with deep care and compassion for one another. Our economic policies should reflect that truth.

4) Inequality in wealth and income, beyond a certain (already-crossed) point, is destructive of democracy and undermines the prospect of a well-functioning economy. In other words, more equality is good for economic stability and growth.

5) Racial inequality is not a separate issue from economic inequality. Therefore, racial justice must be at the center of any attempt to minimize economic inequality in America.

6) Collective organization and bargaining have driven the greatest economic achievements of the past century and are a necessary component of a healthy economy.

Do you agree with these six premises? Is there anything you'd change or add? Please share your reactions in the comments below!

Photo credit: Infrogmation