By Rachel Goldfarb, originally posted on Next New Deal
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Fiscal Fixes for the Jobless Recovery (WSJ)
Following his keynote address at A Bold Approach to the Jobs Emergency last week, Alan Blinder presents changes we could make to encourage more hiring. His solutions could appeal to Republican obstructionists: They may be government-based, but the jobs aren’t. Note: this article is behind a paywall.
What We Need Now: A National Economic Strategy For Better Jobs (Robert Reich)
Robert Reich disagrees with those who think technological advancements condemn part of our workforce to underemployment and low wages. Instead, they should push us to make many other changes that will get us to full employment and reduce income inequality.
Employers: Pay Your Interns. Labor Department: Bust Them if They Don’t! (EPI)
Ross Eisenbrey wants to see government enforcement of the six-part test of what constitutes an internship. When most internships fail the first requirement, that they be closely supervised educational experiences, it's clear that we have a violation of labor laws.
Reminder: There Are Still 3 Times More Unemployed Workers Than Job Openings (The Atlantic)
Jordan Weissman doesn't want anyone to forget that the job crisis continues: There aren't enough jobs to go around in every major industry. This across-the-board problem continues to support the theory that the underlying issue is lack of consumer demand.
The Sword Drops on Food Stamps (The Nation)
George Zornick reports that Congress is officially going to cut SNAP funding, and the only debate left is how much to cut. Congress seems to be placing its priorities in all the wrong places: this will pass, but we can't get a jobs bill?
State Budgets are on the Mend (WaPo)
Michael Fletcher notes that state economies and budgets are on the mend, with 42 governors proposing increased spending next year. But he thinks this could be a momentary peak due to the spike in capital gains revenue at the end of 2012.
Boy, Is There Ever No Wage Inflation in This Economy (On The Economy)
Jared Bernstein explains how we're seeing decent consumer spending numbers despite the absolutely flat growth in wages. He's worried that the spending is tied to housing wealth and savings, a familiar approach from 2008.