From 76150.1170@CompuServe.COM Sun Mar 8 22:05:54 1992 Date: 07 Mar 92 14:50:09 EST From: Stephen Smith <76150.1170@CompuServe.COM> To: Subject: Position Paper on Econ. Harel, this is the Agran 92 position paper on the economy. -- Steve LARRY AGRAN'S PROGRAM FOR THE U.S. ECONOMY: Economic Conversion and a Defense Workers' Bill of Rights Economic Conversion -- A Fundamental Change Democratic Presidential candidate Larry Agran proposes a fundamental change in the American economy to bring us out of the recession. If elected President, Larry Agran would implement a comprehensive program of economic conversion -- remaking our military economy into a peacetime economy, producing quality consumable products to be sold in a globally competitive market. Reaping the Peace Dividend The Cold War is over -- there's no doubt about it. The Soviet Union has ceased to exist. Russia wants to join NATO. The threat to Europe and Japan has evaporated. Even though there's no longer a threat, the United States continues to spend nearly $200 billion a year -- almost two-thirds of our military budget -- to defend Europe and Japan. That's 20% of our federal budget, or about $2,000 per American household. Meanwhile, the countries we defend -- Japan and the nations of Western Europe -- continue to enjoy robust economies, reaping the benefits of trade surpluses with the U.S. It's time that Europe and Japan pay for their own defense, and for America to invest in protecting its own economy, not those of our economic competitors. In an era of sustained recession and record budget deficits, there's simply no justification for these wasteful and unnecessary expenditures. Military spending is the most inefficient and least productive expenditure possible in a capitalist economy. It's time to reap the "peace dividend." Larry Agran's New American Security Larry Agran's New American Security means that America's security would be measured not just by the strength of our military abroad, but also by the strength of our cities and towns at home. Larry Agran would by 1995 reduce the military budget by half -- $150 billion per year. He would achieve these savings by recalling and demobilizing all permanently based U.S. troops in Europe and Japan; elimination of military foreign aid; and cancellation of military boondoggles such as Star Wars and the B-2 Bomber. Larry Agran would reallocate the $150 billion in savings to address all the needs of the domestic agenda: First, $25 billion a year -- $100 per resident -- for America's cities, towns, and counties in a revival of direct revenue sharing, no strings attached. Localities know best what their problems are and how to address them; all they need are the resources. Second, $15 billion a year -- $375 per student -- for America's elementary and secondary public schools. We could hire new teachers, build new schools, upgrade curricula, and provide a learning environment safe from crime. Third, $40 billion a year for a comprehensive national health care program -- including guaranteed protection for every American, preventive treatment, adequate nutrition, and affordable medication. Fourth, $20 billion a year for a proactive environmental protection program, including alternate fuels research, toxic and nuclear waste cleanup, reversal of ozone depletion, and creation of an "EcoCorps" to advise Third World nations on clean industrial development. Fifth, $50 billion a year for honest budget deficit reduction, and the funding of a Defense Workers' Bill of Rights as the nation converts to a peacetime economy. Protecting America's Defense Workers Larry Agran would propose a Defense Workers' Bill of Rights to provide a safety net for America's defense workers as the nation undergoes economic conversion: First, defense workers have the right to expect their employers to engage in long-range planning for the conversion of their workplace to production of peacetime consumable goods. Larry Agran would therefore require military contractors to begin planning for economic conversion. Second, defense workers have the right to participate in determining what types of products their employer will produce. Larry Agran would therefore require that military contractors undergoing conversion work equally with their employees in planning the conversion. Third, defense workers have the right to assistance while undergoing retraining. They are a valuable resource, which should be protected and nourished. Larry Agran would therefore direct $15 billion per year from the military budget into guaranteed income support for defense workers undergoing retraining and resettlement. Fourth, defense workers have the right to expect their government to assist in transitioning their workplace to the production of quality consumable goods. Larry Agran would therefore propose the creation of a Federal Economic Conversion Council, which would coordinate the efforts of our nation's brightest economists, planners and management experts to advise military contractors on how to convert to a competitive, productive business. Fifth, defense workers have the right to live in vibrant communities with safe streets, good schools and clean parks. Larry Agran would therefore propose that a $5 billion per year fund be created as a "Conversion CARE Package" for cities and towns affected by economic conversion. About Larry Agran Larry Agran served on the Irvine, California City Council from 1978 to 1990, including six years as mayor. He was recognized as one of America's most progressive and innovative local elected officials. His administration was called "a crucible of municipal innovation" by The New York Times. In 1987, he led a study by the U.S. Conference of Mayors proposing economic conversion for America's cities and towns. In 1990, he hosted at Irvine City Hall the first national economic conversion conference. The United Nations recognized his environmental work in 1990 by awarding Irvine its Environmental Achievement award. For more information about the Larry Agran campaign, contact Agran 92 at (800) 727-9425.