Newspapers / The Carolina Times (Durham, … / May 8, 1982, edition 1 / Page 15
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For decades the civil rights and labor movements have argued for greater social justice and for safeguards which could better protect workers from the recessions which recur in any free enterprise economy. Such arguments have been based upon a humanitarian impulse, upon the view that all human beings are entitled to an adequate standard of living and to the right to lead a dignified life. ; Today, a mountain of evidence appears to sug gest that greater social justice, increased social spending by government, job security, and greater protections for workers, not only are morally laudabje, but are good for economic growth. Such is the evidence contained in a critically important new book, Minding America's Business (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982), co-authored by Robert .Jcelch, of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, and Ira Magaziner, a consultant to business and labor. In essence, the book makes a persuasive argu ment for adopting much of the agenda favored by organized labor and the civil rights movement. Through imaginative and concise use of charts and statistics the authors document the decline of the U.S. economy. In 1960, the U.S., was first in the world in terms of standard of living. Today, we are no better that tenth, behind such countries as France, Holland, Denmark, West Germany, Nor way, and Belgium, with Japan quickly approaching1 us and significantljroutpacing us in productivity in creases and economic growth. g .W.V.W..V.V-. Social Justice and Economic Progress- By Norman Hill I , What, ask Reich and Magaziner, do these coun; tries have in common? What policies have their governments and industries adopted to achieve . economic growth? , . : :. .:;?i:.iV.''t?-:',isi . The evidence ; shows that : those .'- Western democracies' which outperform our economy have a nigner, noiipwer, degree oi government spending expenditures than does the U.S. In each of these countries there is a higher degree of per capita social spending tor such programs as social security and unemployment insurance. Workers in these coun tries receive on, the average four to five weeks fan nual paid vacation (while U.S. workers average 2.5 A. Philip Randolph Institute . weeks time of 0. In each of these countries there are substantial government- and industry-financed health insurance programs. ; " v-F - Job security also is one of the cornerstones of in dustrial productivity. As Reich and Magaziner sug-: gest MIt is difficult to gain worker's commitment to a company if they know that the company is not ultimately committed to developing their careers." They assert, on the basis of evidence from such countries'as Sweden and Japan, that "it is in a com pany' best interest to be concerned about the ' career development of all employees, not just the few at the top." Iruhis regard, the authors argue, -'. Letters to the Editor: .'K:' On The Hayti Issue I, read with interest your recent coverage of the Hayti-Downtown Development issue. The ques tions you raised were very serious and important for the consideration of the larger Black community. In this regard you have rendered a valuable service. Let me assure you that the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People has not retreated on the issue. The Task Force on Downtown Develop ment which I chair has been meeting regularly and intensively to make certain the needs of the Black community are addressed. The committee's official position as reflected in the previous statements still stands. The issue of economic development requires serious attention and consideration. It is not to be addressed Jightly. We are very seriously and specifically "looking at the various factors that are key to maximizing Black community input and par ticipation in economic development in the city of Durham, "Downtown" and Hayti. The committee has not taken a position on the pending "Bond Issue". The position will be taken at the appropriate time by a vote of the full commit tee. The Task Force will be prepared to make recommendations at that time. I" urge you to continue careful and extensive coverage of this and other matters of crucial impor tance to the Black community. Your role in educa tion and awareness can not be overstated. The Black community has always depended on The Canlina Times, for information, and truth. Jorfn L. Hudgins sru::A7, v.zt s, r.:2-r.:i cr.ciru uzu-k ' "it woftld net only be more humane but also less costly to develop the employees they have rather than bear the substantial cost of employee disaffec- tion and high worker turnover." Significantly, Reich and Magaziner suggest that government couia promote jod secunty oy reimbur sing companies for keeping workers on the payroll or in training during recessions. Finally, the authors indicate that unionization is not an obstacle to economic development. Rather, by creating more decent work conditions unions help to spur productivity. In countries which out perform the U.S. economically, levels of unioniza tion are from fifty per cent greater than ours (Japan) to 400 per4 cent, greater (Belgium and Sweden): f':t'f :JJ-:-: Minding America's Business is a book which deserves serious attention from labor and civil rights communities. Its evidence flies in the face of. President Reagan's supply-side and free market pieties. Government is not the problem. .Rather, when it reflects the popular will, it is a responsible and indeed essential part of the solution. Warning: The Surgeon General Has Determined -That Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous to Your Health. 1? "" WW Over, the past several months, your paper has kept me informed of the continuing debate on the redevelopment of Hayti. I was impressed with the article appearing in the May 1 issue of your paper (,Bfack Political Leaders Seem To Have Retreated From Hayti Confrontation"). It gets, I feel, to the -heart of the matter. Namely, Durham's relationship to the Black community and the role of Black leaders. As the article so ably pointed out, Durham did ndt deal honestly with Blacks during the conception and implementation of its Urban Renewal Pro gram. While many of our leaders endorsed the con cept, it seems they lacked sufficient information and insight . to be able to make an accurate predic tion of the outcome or that they negotiated with the system on their own behalf. Either way, the Black Community was left holding the bag. Now, over a decade later, the support of the Black Community is sought for the construction of a new Civic Center. Hayti, however, remains undeveloped. There are no guarantees that it will ever be redeveloped. There are only vague implica tions that Hayti will receive funds if the Civic Center, is approved, an unwritten "gentleman's agreement". Most current black leaders, either un sure of the correct road lo lake'Or co-opted bythe N.vstcm. have failed to take a strong uncompromis ing position of behalf of Durham's Black citizens. The lime has come for us'to collect old debts before we allow the City to make new ones, 1 favor the position advanced by J.. I. "Babe' Henderson, that we should have "assurances on Hayti" before we support the Civic Center. Further, we should' have written guarantees that Blacks will participate in the construction, maintenance and operation of the Civic Center, and not just as housekeepers. Durham's treatment of its Black population during the "liberal era" is proof that, in this era of ultras conservatism, we cannot expect to be deajtwith fairly and in good faith. We should, therefore, withhold our support of the-CivicCenter unless we receive those guarantees in a manner which makes them legal and binding. For those "leaders" who' are offended by your coverage of the Hayti story, I say if our leaders had taken strong, well-informed positions initially, we wouldn't be having this difficulty now. Again, I commend you and your coverage because I feel it will help make Black "leaders" more accountable to the people they claim to represent, Y v A Concerned Citizen Isaiah Singlctary, Jr. JS.K.J I 4 iT mm 1. 15 I' AS'BiBB?BKffill3? 1j Wj L i KrK J MjlA ? v iV ' c 4 ''I ilV 0 1 W SfctV v 0 rrF 20 MENTHOL CIGARETTES . , , f II 1 1 Ulllltllllll : ' : fl ' . j !, - , il . - . ' - ' : I . I .V - " A - - ; ! SMOOTH LOW TAR 100s 1 jj It A?ltf ."in.. t-fiR 'ilfX ' ir - In 1918, these black National Guardsmen toon found themselves with new name v , . "Hell Fight ers from Harlem." For their heroism the en tire regiment earned the Croix de Guerre. L t 9 mg."ar" 0 7 mo. nicotine av. per cigarette py FTC method. MM tuk MVMOLO TDMCCO CO,
The Carolina Times (Durham, N.C.)
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May 8, 1982, edition 1
15
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