THE RISE OF THE CREATIVE CLASS (BY: DANI CRONCE -BINGHAMTON COUNCILWOMAN)

THE RISE OF THE CREATIVE CLASS

Written by: Dani Cronce (Binghamton Councilwoman) – 06/19/2016 – 07:30AMET

Edited by: Colin Wood

Capitalism is a wonderful tool. Every man and woman has a chance to rise above their social class.

But how hard is it to really break free from the invisible chains of corporations and legal propaganda?

“It takes money to make money.” Seems to be a common saying.  To make a profit we must first have a product. Owning a product costs money.  State laws, copyright's, permits and zoning can have a powerful effect on new business owners.  These rules often times seem to hinder small business growth.

Larger corporations can easily pay these fees and still make profit.  The corporate world has invaded our nation.  They are outsourcing jobs and products to other countries.  Labor laws that Americans hold dear are not followed in these foreign factories.  It is cheaper for corporations to pay fees for breaking the law, and many practice this model.  Our government makes it easier and cheaper for them to pay the fees than to hire American workers and follow American labor rules and guidelines.  The government does not hold corporations to the same standards as small businesses!

“Our nation is crippling American job growth within our nation and allowing corporations to mistreat and underpay low income workers in foreign lands.” ( http://billmoyers.com/2014/06/05/the-way-to-stop-corporate-lawbreaking-is-to-prosecute-the-people-who-break-the-law/)

The big question is… What does it take for a person to succeed in the American capitalist world?

It seems that despite the nations unfair treatment of small businesses, some people are overcoming the obstacles that are placed against us.  The rise of the creative class is slowly growing.  Handmade goods and home grown products are rising in popularity.  Once more the love for music and the arts is making its way back into the general population.

Small cities must find ways to encourage this growth.  I am looking for ways to encourage artists to live in my district.  I encourage the need for placing small cafes and creative shops within walking distance of residences.  Making housing available for young professionals, musicians and artists through home restoration programs.  Programs that promote do it yourself or fixer upper housing, developing homeowner programs. I believe it is time to start designing our community the way we wish to see it.

Community coops need to be explored.  Local workshops and community gardens can help alleviate high costs of starting a business.  Community kitchens, shared workshops and office spaces along public meeting spaces can stimulate growth in the local economy.  This places tools for success within the community’s reach.

I am working to provide business mentor programs for local high school students. Students can have a chance to learn job skills in the real world.  This gives our children a boost up while helping them earn some extra money.  We need to break the modern mentality, that everything should be given to our children on a silver platter.  Hard work is needed to succeed.  Entrepreneurship needs to be restored to our youth.  After all they are our future leaders and I have high expectations.

I guess, what I am trying to , is that we need to work together.  It is time to reinvent the community the way we want to see it.  Take some time to get off our phones and see what your neighborhood needs.  We can all be leaders.  We can all find our own way to succeed. It is not easy but we can grow our communities and cast off corporate choke hold.  The dreamers can correct a multitude of wrongs.  All we have to do is wake up and start.  After all actions speak louder than words.

Wood News Agency, LLC                                                       Binghamton, NY

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