Category Archives: Economic Policy
What Kind of America Do We Want to Live In?
The lesson of the events in Wisconsin for progressives is clear. When you let the opposition set the political agenda and frame the political discussion, losing is inevitable. The conservative, tea party narrative asserts that government has been living beyond … Continue reading
Time to Stand Up for Our Teachers, Police, and Firefighters
State governments across the US are facing record budget deficits in the upcoming fiscal year (FY) 2012 that begins July 1, 2011 in most states. Altogether, total state shortfalls could exceed $140 billion in FY 2012. The biggest deficits look … Continue reading
Re-Engaging in the Health Care Debate
The Obama Administration does not appear ready to re-open the health care reform debate any time soon. Having paid the political price for focusing on health care reform instead of job creation during his first two years in office, President … Continue reading
Growing Our Way To American Jobs
Despite all the rhetoric these days about tax and budget cuts, the reality is that we will only see real improvement in employment prospects for our nation’s workers if we start seeing strong economic growth. What’s needed is the kind … Continue reading
Blaming the Middle Class
Deficit reduction will need to be high on the legislative agenda of the 112th Congress. Government is borrowing too much — current policies are just not sustainable. The solutions are simple — spend less, increase revenues, or both. The politics … Continue reading
The Lack of Civility
Thinking back over the past year, and on the events in Tuscon, AZ this weekend, I found myself reflecting back over some things I wrote this summer. We don’t yet know the motives of the deranged mind of Jared Loughner … Continue reading
Merry Christmas from Washington, DC
President Obama and some very unlikely allies in Washington, DC have given the American people a Christmas present of sorts. As a result of a bipartisan agreement between the President and Republican leaders in Congress, middle class taxes will not … Continue reading
Barack and Bill
Barack Obama brought out Bill Clinton to address the press in the White House briefing room yesterday, and then gave the former president the stage. It no doubt caused a lot of us to flash back 15 years to when … Continue reading
The Failed Bush Tax Cuts
Failed Bush economic policy, and the failed Bush tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003, added $4.36 trillion to the national debt during his 8 years in office. And what was the impact of the Bush tax cuts on the … Continue reading
Prospects for Good Governance
The talking heads in the media are all assuming that the next few months in Washington will be filled with confrontation perhaps leading to a government shutdown. And with good reason. There are certainly the makings of stalemate and gridlock … Continue reading