Socio-Economics... Yet again, let the re-invention of America begin...

An ever monumental milestone achieved, now is not the time to sit on a laurel however significant it is. Our current economic reality doesn't give us a moment to spare . We must instead use our renewed spirit to rekindle our resolve. During the campaign, a phrase that we should prominently adopt as our unifying guide as nation, was aptly expressed by former President Clinton, i.e, "lead not by the example of power, but by the power of example". And now, the country has chosen the incoming Obama administration to become the ideal leadership for the nation to exactly carry out that charge to economic respectability, best achieved by all being party to the efforts.

Thus said, of utmost importance in the path to rebirth would be the approach of "inclusion". Therefore, here are two social and economic concerns that need to be addressed pragmatically rather than be left to stew in limbo, unenforceable under current legal options and unrealistic sanctions, namely:

One, illegal residency. Rather than allow the issue to continue being a drain to the economy and a nagging and dividing cause among communities across the country, the government could implement programs whereby legal residency may be earned by those who already have model records of a determined set years of stay. If allowed to pay their way into legal status, the undocumented workforce group could then become economic contributors instead.

Two, tax delinquency. If the government is willing to let institutions off the hook from unethical financial practices, shouldn't it be only fair to let main street individuals, who for some reason or another, have found themselves astray from their tax obligations be offered ways to rejoin the fold of fiscal responsibility? On record, states which have devised tax amnesty programs have, in fact, successfully resulted in modest recovery of past due funds... and recapture of future revenues.

Steps to our economic recovery need a cross-section approach. The sort of disfranchise of the above mentioned social and economic groups is one we can ill afford to continue to just deny about. Robust participation from all social sectors, a must if the country is to regain and sustain a healthy economic outlook. My two-cents for the day...