Texas Longhorns with newborn calf in Bluebonnets

Texas Longhorns with newborn calf in Bluebonnets

Please note I have a new phone number...

512-517-2708

Alan Maki

Alan Maki
Doing research at the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas

It's time to claim our Peace Dividend

It's time to claim our Peace Dividend

We need to beat swords into plowshares.

We need to beat swords into plowshares.

A program for real change...

http://peaceandsocialjustice.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-progressive-program-for-real-change.html


What we need is a "21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity" which would make it a mandatory requirement that the president and Congress attain and maintain full employment.


"Voting is easy and marginally useful, but it is a poor substitute for democracy, which requires direct action by concerned citizens"

- Ben Franklin

Let's talk...

Let's talk...

Saturday, June 4, 2011

A guest blog about the struggle against poverty in Latin America by Brian McAfee

Brian McAfee

2838 Mason Blvd.

Muskegon Hts., Michigan 49444

USA

(231) 737-8726

brimac6@hotmail.com


Ecuador's Increase In Social Spending Has Lifted Many Out Of Poverty

by Brian McAfee


Ecuador's social spending for the past four years, since President Rafael Correa took office, has quadrupled compared to the amount spent by his predecessors.

Prensa Latina reports that "Since President Correa took office four years ago, 15.851 billion USD has been invested in public works, 2.9 times more then during the three previous governments combined".

An important aspect of President Correa's policies has been a noticeable and ongoing reduction in poverty.

In 2009 38.3 percent of the population lived below the poverty line, in 2010 it was 35.1 and now in 2011 it is at 33.1 and is expected to continue declining. Public investment has been on the rise from 2.4 billion in 2007, 3.450 billion in 2008, 5.66 billion in 2009 and 5.331 billion in 2010.

In 2001 50% of the GDP earnings was used to pay Ecuador's foreign debt. Today the Correa government pays 15% of the GDP to the foreign debt the majority of the rest of the balance going to investments in public and social work projects for the common good.

Similar Pro People programs are now at work in Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil's new President, Dilma Rouseff, and, perhaps, with Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez. Also, Uruguay's President Jose Mujica.

A possible addition to Latin America's Leftist Presidents as Peru's June 5 election could result in the election of Ollanta Humala, another potential Leftist. 



I welcome any thoughts or comments contact me at: brimac6@hotmail.com

Brian McAfee