These are tough times. Millions are out of work, and have been out of work for a long time. Business profits continue to soar, and yet, the median income continues to drop. Especially in this country, the gap between the rich and poor continues to grow. Mirroring the situation in the "old" world, including countries like India (atleast before the economic boom of the last 10 years).
There is much hand-wringing by left-leaning economists of how the only way out of this mess is to mirror policies by Hoover and FDR during the Great Depression. A core principle cited is that of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and other programs that created work for the unemployed, and helped buoy the populace past the economic crisis. The WPA was handled by a social worker by the name of Harry Hopkins, and was effective. The idea being that such a program or set of programs need to occur now too, handled by people who know a thing or two of what it takes to alleviate suffering.
Fast forward to today. Corporations, combined, have more economic clout than nations. Along these lines, was President Obama's decision to have Jeffery Immelt (CEO of GE) to lead the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness a wise one, or not? Only time will tell. But my sense is that we have to roll with the times. By shining the spotlight on a corporate icon to look beyond just increasing shareholder value, but also to the betterment of "the people", might actually work.
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