Chuck Colson,who served as special counsel to President Nixon and founded Prison Fellowship Ministries, and Jack Eckerd, founder of the Eckerd drugstore chain, collaborated in this project (Jack Eckerd died in 2004 at age 91).
As of 1990, they point us to lack of work ethic that has diminished productivity in the workplace. While upper management reaps big bonuses and salaries, the workers suffer with wage freezes and loss of benefits, resulting in resentment, cynicism and apathy. As of 1990, the welfare system brought in a larger income for women raising families alone (AFDC) than if they were to find gainful employment and a prison system that encouraged uselessness, rather than learning a trade or training for meaningful jobs.
As far as incarceration, the problem, according to Mr. Colson and Mr. Eckerd, is Washington and the politicians who want to keep people oppressed and on the welfare system, pumping more money into a broken system to ensure votes. For years the entire political establishment has thrived by exploiting the poor and intimidating those who have sought reform. Government policies are destroying our work ethic.
Companies whose leaders develop ideas of what their goals and values are and present those to the people who work for them seem to be the most successful. People want to be connected - they want to belong. (Southwest Airlines and Virgin Airlines are successful companies that value their employees)
Currently:
Unemployment is at 4%
America continues to incarcerate more people than anywhere else in the world
Incarcerated people are working, but at a low wage
American schools are not ranked high in international testing compared to other countries, although we are spending the most per student.
U.S. ranks 27th for healthcare and education (most developed countries offer universal healthcare)
AFDC has been replaced with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and The Personal Responsibility Work Opportunity and Reconciliation Act of 1996.
U.S. Ranking as of 2014
The U.S. ranks #17 for quality of life as of 2018
The U.S. Ranks #8 overall globally
