Jobs For Everyone: 100% Employment

Remember Herbert Hoover's 1928 campaign slogan? "A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage." We joke about it now, saying politicians will promise anything to get elected.

I'm not promising, but I am saying this slogan works for me: "A job for everyone -- 100 percent employment," or, more correctly, "A job for every able and willing person -- 100 percent employment of those able and willing."

Can't promise, because one legislator needs to persuade others before this could happen. But I say it can be done, and should.

Probably has. But has it been done in a capitalistic society? Let's make Utah the first.

I can see why it probably hasn't been done in a free-enterprise system. The entrepreneurs creating jobs want to ensure themselves good money, and hiring workers others have passed over doesn't always provide a profitable workforce. Such a workforce is risky, maybe even fatal.

And, the poor, down-and-out, unemployed folks usually lack the means, and usually the self-belief to go out and start a company.

So, they need a little help. Now, about this point, don't be running for the door, suggesting I am suggesting socialism. Remember, I just said 100-percent employment hasn't been done in the free-enterprise system, so obviously I want to keep the free-enterprise system as involved in this grand idea as possible.

So, will creating jobs for everyone require a little government help, a little socialism? My guess is, it won't. Our state is loaded with giving people. If we first appeal to rich philanthropists and to charity organizations -- like United Way and the Utah Food Bank -- I am all but certain they will be willing to create companies just to serve those who cannot find other jobs.

This will take a whole new way of thinking. Right now, philanthropists give to the needy -- just outright give. And, charity organizations provide free food, free counseling, free this and free that -- but they don't even think to create small companies and give them jobs.

Some of the companies will prosper. Others will need to be propped up by the philanthropists and charities. Fine.

Now, if government does have to provide some jobs, because enough philanthropists and charities can't be found, then let's be willing -- but let's get those companies right back into the hands of free enterprise as quickly as possible, allowing some of the workers to take over the companies once they are up and running.

Let's put these companies at every pocket of unemployment. Pioneer Park and the Road Home can be served by a company, the Unemployment Insurance office can be teamed with a company, and even programs for the disabled can have companies.

Sometimes, these companies will amount to no more than people standing on street corners, selling paper flowers.

Now, there won't truly be a job for everyone. Some people might not be able to work, period. But most people can do something. Nor will everyone be work even if offered a job. Some people just won't work. So, it won't be 100 percent employment, but it will be 100 percent employment of those who can and are willing to work.

I've been picking an invention of the week for the past few weeks. Creating jobs for all willing and able people, then, is the invention of the week.