Financialization of the economy and rentier capture of value/profits. There are six billion people who are waiting to be brought up to the average American's standard of living but have no path to it. Vast investments in housing, education, transportation and healthcare are needed, many times more than what even China has attempted, but this cannot happen as long as ROI is higher in the financial sector and increasing levels of debt prevent forward movement. Debt forgiveness and plain old money/land giveaways need to come back in style.
Ask HN: What are the biggest problems we should tackle, right now?
11–13 of 13 posts
Re: Ask HN: What are the biggest problems we should tackle, right now?
#12Environment Environment Environment.. restoring our only home to a sustainable place, like it was before few centuries back, before the industrial revolution and the population explosion.
Re: Ask HN: What are the biggest problems we should tackle, right now?
#13The slowing pace of innovation as measured by time saved. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/magazine/are-we-doomed-to-...
The trend since the 1970s in which the wealthiest reap the majority of any economic growth and hold more and more assets while the middle class and poor have seen wages stagnate as compared to inflation or shrink, and an increasing gap in wealth. http://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/a-guide-...
The trend of finance as an increasing part of GDP and shareholder return being seen as a better proxy for economic success then long term growth, investment in durable assets, and infrastructure, especiall when much of the value finance and immediate shareholder returns add are questionable. http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/novemberdecember_2...