Economy

I have some very radical ideas about the economy. After reading the Green party platform, I realized that many of my ideas are shared by the Greens. Currently, the U.S. economy is based upon market forces and the law of supply and demand. It makes more sense to me that the economy be based on effort and need. The economy should be organized through careful and frequent statistical analysis. This would require considerable resources and should be undertaken by the government because it has these resources.
I'm not an economist and have no formal educational background on economic policy beyond my own casual observations. Certain key principles appear to make sense to me. Low unemployment means more people are earning a living, which is good on its own. More people earning a living means more people capable of purchasing goods and services. More goods and services being bought and sold means there are more jobs available to decrease unemployment. Obviously, there is a cyclical and symbiotic relationship between the consumer, the worker, and the goods. It seems evident to me that a successful economy works best that encourages employers to hire as many employees as possible and workers to reinvest in the economy through consumption.
The law of supply and demand is flawed. It fails to provide the basic necessities to all citizens. By its very nature, it is vulnerable to the financial woes of depression, inflation, stagflation, and unemployment. It often exacerbates the differences between rich and poor. It encourages poverty and fosters instability. Supply and demand fails because of the lack of a tangible relationship between the actual cost of a good or service and the needs of the citizenry. The two are dependent upon each other and must be considered. Life under a capitalist system of supply and demand, whose market valuation is not always appropriate or functional, is uncertain for millions of us, where many of us are on the brink of financial ruin.
The goal of economic reform should be socialism. Unlike the bolshevik style Communists, I do not advocate immediate revolutionary implementation. Rather, I suggest gradual incremental steps toward socialism. Catastrophic upheaval to the current economic system could be destabilizing and counterproductive, regardless of its aims. After allowing these steps to take root and bear fruit, it may be realized that abolute socialism is unnecessary.
I agree wholeheartedly with the spirit, intent, and approach of the Greens. I do have a few divergent and unique ideas about the details. My plan for economic reform starts with a policy of consumer empowerment. I call for the establishment of an agency, either an extension of the government or publicly funded in the private sector, to which all employers must report vital statistics. This agency will also compile facts and statistics from other governmental bodies, such as the Dept. of Labor, OSHA, Dept. of Energy, EPA, and the Dept. of the Interior. The primary mission of this new agency is to provide tools to better inform the American consumer.
Well informed consumers will be better positioned to offer their patronage to businesses that have earned it. Corporations doing business in America which reinvest profits in their work force deserve recognition for upholding their civic responsibility. On the other hand, corporations who renege on this important obligation should be held accountable to the American consumer. Also included in the government's reporting should be reports of workers' rights violations, environmental law violations, consumer complaints, and animal rights abuses. These are issues that are important to many Americans. They should be able to decide which companies best reflect their values and deserve their patronage. Armed with this information, I feel that the American consumer can take a more active and tangible role in maintaining a sound economy.