Another Side of Our National Emergency - The Economic Crisis

September 25—The US economy was already suffering record job loss before the terrible events of September 11. In August the AFL-CIO estimated that 800,000 manufacturing jobs had been lost in the current economic downturn for the working class that was already a deep recession.

When the terrorists slammed planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, murdering thousands, they also drove thousands of families into deep economic crisis. While some had substantial life insurance or union negotiated death benefit packages, many had nothing or next to nothing.

The explosions also had a devastating impact on an already shaky economy. Within days, major airlines and Boeing announced over a hundred thousand job cuts. The ripple effect into the hotel, car rental, tourist and travel industries will be substantial. Between September 11 and September 20, companies announced in excess of 120,750 jobs gone. Just before the tragedy from August 1 up to September 11, approximately 158,552 job cuts had already been announced.

As the months go on, and the economic impact ripples throughout the economy, more and more working Americans will fall into a deeper economic crisis, including those who's incomes were destroyed by the terrorist acts.

Those who were laid-off in the beginning of this current economic downturn are already running out of benefits. This is in addition to the hundreds of thousands who never took part in the boom times, especially in racially and nationally oppressed communities. It includes those thrown into even deeper poverty by so-called welfare reform, especially women and children.

The American people have poured out their hearts and pocketbooks in immediate support for the victims families. Working people from around the world have donated every imaginable kind of aid, money, blood, material and labor, to help the rescue effort and comfort the families. This is humanity at its best, even while mourning, fighting for the living.

Yet, this immediate response from ordinary people can only go so far.

Now Congress and the Bush administration have to follow suit. In the aftermath of the terrible events of September 11, they showed just how fast the government can act when they must. They approved a billion emergency aid package for New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, including new funds for the military.

The terrorists who took such a dreadful toll on the American people must be brought to justice. But our country's security also rests on the economic and social well-being of our people. We cannot forget the economic crisis side of this national emergency. Already there are those voices of home-grown extremism who want to use the national emergency to cover their own narrow economic interests.

Some in Congress want to take advantage of the situation to ram through Fast Track trade negotiation powers that will kill any democratic discussion or control over the Bush administration's trade policies. This would allow quick passage of the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. Some have described it as "NAFTA on steroids." NAFTA has been very much a factor in the destruction of so many good paying manufacturing jobs FTAA would be worse.

Under cover of this crisis other extremists are calling for even more disastrous tax cuts for the rich and the corporations. The Republican tax cut has been a disaster and done nothing for economic recovery. Indeed, a new capital gains tax cut would only deepen the economic crisis by taking funds needed for people-helping programs, like a prescription drug benefit plan.

Congress, at the urging of the Bush administration has passed a bail-out for the airline industry. The question is how will the billion be used? Will the people have a say in making sure that the money will be used to restore jobs and support those laid-off, or will it be used to prop up the profits of the airline industry? The bail-out must include re-regulation to protect the service levels and security of airline passengers, and the jobs and livelihood of airline workers. Further, in light of the critical, central role the aircraft and airline industries play in our economy, it should be nationalized for the public good. This is the only real way to stabilize and protect this valuable national asset.

We cannot forget in this crisis that the same old bunch of anti-labor, anti-people Republicans in the White House and the Congress are running the government. The economic security of this country cannot be left in the hands of those who represent the corporations' interests. Defending freedom and democracy means involving the people including the vital mass organizations of our country, the unions, the churches, the civil rights organizations, the environmental, the youth, the women and the seniors' movements.

The working people, who are the overwhelming majority of the American people, must be heard in this discussion of our national emergency. Here are some ideas for an emergency response we need for working families:

1. Guarantee adequate income and benefit levels including health care for ALL families of those killed or injured.
2. Emergency legislation to extend unemployment compensation for the duration of the crisis. This must include greatly expanding eligibility and covering first time job seekers as well.
3. A massive federal rebuilding project, not only to rebuild New York and Washington, but to rebuild the crumbling infrastructure of this country. This would be the best economic stimulus for vital industries like steel and related production. This could put millions back to work. It must include affirmative action and union apprenticeship programs so that communities hardest hit can also see some recovery.
4. A massive rural and farm relief package. This must include special aid to family farmers, aid to small businesses and rural communities to preserve and protect small town life.
5. Suspend the Federal tax cuts to top income brackets for the duration of the crisis to fund human needs during the crisis. The military budget can do without StarWars and other expensive giveaways to the defense contractors that would have done nothing to protect us from this terrorist attack. Any new legitimate military expenditures like air patrols or air marshals can be easily paid for out of existing budgets.
6. No Fast Track and no FTAA.
7. Any bail outs must come with regulation to ensure the public interests.
8. All new jobs created, both in public safety and in infrastructure rebuilding must guarantee full union protection and benefits.

The widespread support for helping the victims of the attack puts the spotlight on the need to provide for ALL Americans. The support for national funding to rebuild New York, enhance security services, and aid the airlines highlights the need for widespread rebuilding of the infrastructure. We need schools, housing, transportation, and environmental protection. We need to provide education, child care, health and other services in our changing economy.

As we provide for the victims of terrorism, let us provide for all the victims of the economic crisis, let us provide for all American workers. Let this be our answer to terrorism.

We urge the fullest possible debate on this bare bones emergency relief package. We are facing powerful capitalist interests that want this crisis to be resolved by increasing corporate profits and power. This national emergency can only truly be resolved with the full participation of all the people. Our security depends on the security and well being of working families in the first place. We do the work, we pay the bills.