By Donald Sykes, president and CEO of Milwaukee’s Workforce Development
Donald Sykes
As our country slowly climbs out of the recession, I believe it’s important to remember that millions of people still live in economic crisis every day. Job creation in October improved slightly, but at this rate, it will take us 20 years to return to the pre-recession employment levels. The frustration in our country is palpable, and it is often fueled by fear and misinformation. While concern about deficits is well-founded, it’s also vital to continue to stimulate our economy during this time of fragile recovery. As a society, we are more connected than ever before. By ignoring the poor, not investing in a sustainable infrastructure, cutting support for schools, not ensuring affordable access to health care, and – dare I say it – not asking the wealthy to shoulder just a bit more of the load, we lessen the chances of a robust recovery. I propose that we take the energy and frustration in our country, and channel it to build together for the common good, not to divide. Our newly elected legislature in Wisconsin seems preoccupied with voter ID and immigration identification. There are a number of more real issues that deserve their attention! From both the humanitarian and economic standpoints, we must choose to invest in our collective future now.