In Washington policy circles, there are two conversations on how to support working families. In one room is a conversation about work: how to create jobs, raise wages, reduce unemployment, and ensure that workers get the supports they need for success, such as training, predictable scheduling, overtime pay and paid leave. In another room is a conversation about wealth: how to help families build assets, retirement and liquid savings, buy a home, obtain insurance, and manage their credit and debt. In both rooms, there's increasing concern over the economic security of American households. Yet the two conversations are disconnected from each other. In one room, we talk about workers and labor markets. In another, we talk about consumers and financial markets. And there is no discussion of the interplay between these elements.
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