In what she refers to as the Gig Economy, Sarah Horowitz at The Atlantic calls for adaptive legislation that acknowledges that nearly one-third of the American workforce now works independently, which places them in an awkward position when it comes to a wide variety of traditional benefits typically associated with a salaried position. A New York Times report backs up Horowitz, citing that that over 2 million workers in the metropolitan area earned income independently last year, making it more difficult for prospective homeowners to gain access to mortgages. With a more flexible healthcare system, unemployment benefits and unionization laws, Horowitz believes America can begin to shift the economy into the 21st century and make it easier for American workers to find stable income in a fluid work environment.
Business Insider interviewed a series of Congressional Democrats about their suggestions for President Obama’s jobs plan, and their recommendations don’t sound promising for Horowitz’s dream of a more freelance-friendly economy. While some Democrats are calling for a “new” New Deal, most do so by demanding the same things they usually do: new infrastructure spending, tax credits and other traditional moves. Unless Obama thinks more outside of the box than his Congressional counterparts, Sarah Horowitz’s hopes for innovative solutions may be in trouble.