ustxtxb_obs_1980_04_25_50_00017-00000_000.pdf

\(tter, 16 Niko i6t\( -\(0;0 -0\( artt 4ttu .01a2-t/ttte. oim-zoLcoi oft,i,t1 mtkCo \(46to.de II-4 Designing Counseling Printers High Speed Web Offset Publica Copy Writing Editing Computer Sates and Services Complete Computer Data Processing Services !PISTILS 512/442-7836 1714 South Congress P.O. Box 3485 Austin, Texas 78764 Steaks. Spirits, imv\\cmonlicifs ust: Sunday Brunch Dinner 5:30-10:00 Tues:Sun 502 Dawson Road Austin, Texas Work More . . . from page 4 relative attractiveness of activities that create jobs and wealth. With more money devoted to improving the nation’s productivity, prices will decline and inflation will subside. restrictions on corporate relocation. Currently, business can devastate a local economy by threatening to relocate if they do not receive concessions from labor and local governments. The current tide of business movement continues toward those areas of the world that offer low taxes, cheap labor, and, euphemistically, a “good business climate.” , As a result, much of the capital that could be used to upgrade Ameiican industry and create jobs at home has fled to countries whose leaders promise high profits for corporations at the cost of austerity for their citizens. By imposing strict controls on capital mobility, government could eliminate the corporations’ power to dictate economic policy and demand concessions. price controls on big business. In the present situation, most large corporations can retaliate against higher wages, taxes, and increased government regulation by raising prices to maintain their profit margins. Inflation, in other words, results when large corporations and a working populace struggle over the distribution of wealth. Carter’s .policies are designed to tip the scales against workers and in favor of the largest corporations. But price controls, especially if they are accompanied by the other restraints on business power outlined above, would reverse the balance of power while at the same time limiting price increases to tolerable levels. Unfortunately, most politicians have not proposed these options because they consider corporate prerogatives sacrosanct. Moreover, they defend corporate power with the hollow rhetoric of “freedom” and “liberty.” But in the current situation, these words signify the freedom and liberty of large corporations to dictate economic policy and demand austerity. In business’ hands they are equivalent to “pain” and “sacrifice.” Unless these conditions are eliminated, we will not only face continuing austerity, but even worse, a loss of control over our own destiny. Alfred Watkins Al Watkins is an Observer contributing editor. WOODY HILLS for People, Not for Profit A VEGETA IAN FOOD CO-OP 1.1 \\ 11,4 III I CVO, THE TEXAS OBSERVER 17