OUTLINE FOR PERSUASIVE SPEECH Opening statement: I get really angry whenever I hear about welfare and entitlements. I’m not talking about the single mother holding two jobs, taking food stamps to feed her kids or the shell-shocked veteran who can’t afford adequate health care, it’s our moral duty to help those in need. My anger is directed towards corporate handouts and unfair tax codes that favor the ruling class. History and Background: Donald Barlett and James Steele in their book “The Betrayal of the American Dream” identify the policies which have contributed to the erosion of a once vibrant economy. Corporate globalization is destroying the average American’s right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Free trade, the off-shoring of jobs, and unchecked corruption has left most of us holding a bag of poop. Government bail-outs of businesses “to big to fail” has only increased the wealth and power of the ruling class. That wealth and power decidedly widens the gap between the rich and the working class. This gap replaces democracy with plutocracy, setting the stage for an economic collapse that’ll make “The Great Depression” look like a hiccup. In the past 30 years we’ve seen the tax burden reduced for the ruling class and saddled upon the backs of the workers. The workers who’ve watched their wages shrink and their benefits disappear. There was a time when America was an economic powerhouse, 30% of our workforce was in manufacturing, now it’s nearing the single digits. Our biggest export today is in scrap paper and cardboard! But the captains of industry keep getting richer. Checks and Balances: According to Amy Wood and Cydney Posner, writing for “Insights” the Corporate and Securities Law Advisor, CEO pay in 2012 was more 273 times an average worker’s pay, compared to just 20 times in 1965. In reaction to the disparity, the SEC proposed a new rule to the Dodd-Frank Act. Only a requirement of disclosure, not a cap on pay ratios. Not surprisingly there is a huge push back from the ruling class on this, as well as all of the Dodd-Frank Act. Dodd-Frank, also called “say to pay” was signed into law in 2010 as a reaction to the public outcry over excessive compensation packages after the bail-out of Wall Street tycoons during 2007-2009. “say to pay” gives common shareholders a voice in CEO compensation packages and studies by Ricardo Correa of the Federal Reserve Board have found a positive impact upon forcing a compensation based on performance as opposed the once pervasive arbitrary greed of the past. However, this is not enough. Existing Problems: “In These Times” Sr. Editor David Moberg points out how U.S. tax laws encourage exorbitant executive pay and then grant tax breaks through offshore accounts , deferred compensation, private equity and investment funds. These tax havens keep trillions of dollars out of the public coffers. You’re damn right I get angry about welfare and entitlements. The ruling class use huge wads of stolen cash to infiltrate the media, the government, and the Christian community to perpetuate the falsehood of trickle down economics. I’m mad as hell and you should be too. It’s time to put democracy back into America. The Solution: Don’t be hoodwinked by the common politician, every campaign is financed by special interests. Be particularly leery of those who insist upon convincing you of their virtue, a truly pious individual would never consider having to do so. Vote, but vote wisely. We must put our economic survival above partisan loyalties. Any candidate who seeks to represent the American people must commit to four basic principles. 1.) Support tax reform that restores fairness. 2.) Demand increasing American manufacturing to past levels. 3.) Invest in the country’s infrastructure. 4.) Prevent out-sourcing of American innovations and jobs. References: Barlett, D. L., Steele, J. B. (2012). The Betrayal of the American Dream. New York: PublicAffairs Correa, R. (2013). Say on Pay Laws, Executive Compensation, CEO Pay Slice, and Firm Value around the World. Washington, DC: Federal Reserve Board. Moberg, D. (2012, August 20). U.S. Tax Code Encourages Excess CEO Pay. In These Times. Retrieved September 2, 2014 from inthesetimes Wood, A., Posner, C. (2013, October). Securities Disclosure. InSights. Vol.27, No.10, 2-9
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 00:15:34 +0000
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