Millions of Americans have lost their jobs and homes since the financial collapse of 2008. Tens of millions more are in fear of losing their jobs and homes. Conservatives and tea party activists have chosen to blame the government and public sector workers for what ails us. This narrative has flourished in our political discourse despite the facts to the contrary.
Misplaced Union Envy
Posted in American Politics, Economic Policy
Tagged American Politics, American unions, American workers, bush tax cuts, Bush-era tax cuts, campaign contributions, economic insecurity, Economic Policy, health care reform, housing bubble, income disparity, limited government, market collapse, middle class Americans, non-union, political instability, tea party, tea party beliefs, tea party republicans, union, unions, workers, working class Americans
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Job Killing Republican Budget Cuts
The Republican onslaught continues. Public sector employees are just the current manifestation of an effort by Republicans to get back into power — to retake the House of Representatives, the Senate, and ultimately the White House. Central to the Republican strategy from the first day of the Obama presidency has been a concerted effort to slow and delay the recovery of the American economy.
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 its means, and that government needs to cut back just as American families have had to cut back. And who can argue with that?
Posted in American Politics, Economic Policy
Tagged American Politics, ARRA, debt relief, deficit spending, economic insecurity, Economic Policy, federal student loans, health care reform, limited government, market collapse, political instability, tea party, tea party beliefs, tea party republicans
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The America I Love
The America I love is a tolerant place. It’s a place where we see diversity all around us. We don’t worry about the race or religion or sexual preference of our neighbors. And we treat one another as fellow Americans – disagreeing from time to time about many things, but not being disagreeable.
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 to be in California, Nevada, Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas — states that have seen big reductions in revenues because of the collapse of the financial and housing markets. In these states, the deficits range from 30 to 45 percent of the total state budget.
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 Obama appears to understand that it’s still “the economy, stupid.” It will be up to the Republicans to bring to the table alternatives to the Affordable Care Act of 2010.
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 of strong, sustained economic growth that provides American businesses assurance that as they hire more workers there will be sufficient economic demand for the goods and services those workers help deliver.
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 of deficit reduction are ugly, and not at all good news for the American middle class.
Posted in American Politics, Economic Policy
Tagged American Politics, Bush-era tax cuts, deficit spending, deficits, economic insecurity, Economic Policy, financial crisis, limited government, market collapse, market crash, national debt, tea party, tea party beliefs, tea party republicans
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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 — but whatever they were, we need to heed this wake up call about the tone of the political debate in this country. Talk of 2nd Amendment remedies, and bullseyes on websites targeting members of Congress, are the kinds of inflammatory rhetoric and free speech that if not tempered, will likely lead to more political violence and represent a real threat to our democracy and our way of life.
The 111th Congress Leaves A Legacy
As members of the 111th Congress leave town for the Christmas holiday, it’s a little sobering that despite the appearance and reality of partisan gridlock, the outgoing Congress was among the most productive in decades. A partial listing of legislative accomplishments:
health care reform
financial reform
hate crimes legislation
credit card reform
student loan reform
pay discrimination legislation
US automaker bailout
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
a 2% 2011 payroll tax reduction
food safety legislation
repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
health care and compensation for 9/11 responders