Gene Sperling on ‘Economic Dignity’

Gene Sperling, Director of the National Economic Council, speaks at the 2013 Fiscal Summit in Washington. He recently released a book called “Economic Dignity.”

Charles Dharapak / AP Photo

Economist Gene Sperling recently released a book called “Economic Dignity.” In it, he argues people should feel dignified in their jobs, whether they work as a physician or in sanitation.

Sperling says the coronavirus pandemic has shown just how important certain jobs are⁠—jobs that once were considered entry-level or basic.

Sperling was Director of the National Economic Council under both presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

And as federal lawmakers debate how to keep the economy from flat-lining, he says it’s time to pull out all stops.

When WABE’s host of All Things Considered, Jim Burress spoke to Sperling recently, Burress asked him what does that looks like?