View Story | 51 comments
Comments: Expand Shrink Hide (Always) | Indented Flat (Always)
Someone can make a powerful political ad out of this.
"There are no happy endings in the Bush Administration". - Randall L. Tobias
by MadRuth on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 10:46:41 AM PDT
It's a perfect microcosm of the problem. And I think it would be intuitive to anyone who looked at it.
Congress's values: Yes-estate tax repeal No-minimum wage
'nuf said.
http://www.noyoyoeconomics.com
by Jared Bernstein on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 10:49:48 AM PDT
[ Parent ]
Republican values.
by MadRuth on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 11:10:39 AM PDT
... I don't think we'll see a big Democratic win in a national election.
We can talk about corruption, the war, civil liberties or other issues, but we won't get a big swing of voters to the Democrats' side until it becomes crystal-clear to even the most inattentive voters -- and non-voters -- that Democrats are serious about helping with the problems working folks face.
Economic populism is and has always been our issue. Until we embrace it, and start fighting back hard in the Class War, Republican diversionary bullshit will continue to be far too influential.
Hanoi didn't break John McCain, but Washington did.
by Dallasdoc on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 11:03:22 AM PDT
which appear to blow in the wind. Who is listening? Who has turned away from Bush and the GOP on account of its prowealth economic policies. What has it cost Bush for justifying taxcuts for the wealthy with statements such as 'they worked for it?'
Watch Peace, Propaganda, The Promised Land
by shergald on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 11:15:21 AM PDT
But there is a "bridge too far" and this could be it.
Resistance is not futile, and given recent polls, is less so now than a few years ago.
I'm with Dallasdoc--we ought to able to use this contrast to our advantage.
One problem is that the gap between people who vote and people with low incomes is growing, so it's hard to generate actual constituent interest in these issues (although the estate-tax-repeal crowd is deeply engaged).
But it's the optics of the thing that are so egregious and would be clear to anyone, I think.
by Jared Bernstein on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 11:26:20 AM PDT
Gallup Poll. April 10-13, 2006. N=1,005 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all adults).
"As I read off some different groups, please tell me if you think they are paying their fair share in federal taxes, paying too much, or paying too little. How about [see below]?"
FairShare TooMuch TooLittle Unsure
"Lower-income people" 36% 46% 12% 6% "Middle-income people" 50% 43% 5% 3% "Upper-income people" 21% 8% 67% 4% "Corporations" 18% 5% 70% 7%
People seem to understand the tax inequities, but it never seems to come up as a main issue upon which they might vote. Someone was correct in saying that the Democrats have not made enough of it. What is needed is a PAC that does national and local advertising on the issue of taxcuts and repeals for the wealthy. Like does anyone know that 18 wealthy families have spent 100 million to get the estate tax repealed?
by shergald on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 11:35:06 AM PDT
interest in voting among the poor can be ramped up considerably by this issue. It is nearly the perfect weapon to use against Republicans, so I think they handed Democrats a big gift today. Dems would be wise to say it over and over: Republicans want to keep the minimum wage low because they don't earn the minimum wage.
"Our programs are as lawful as they are valuable." -Michael Hayden
by smintheus on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 12:22:34 PM PDT
working minimum wage jobs?
Not to mention their grandparents who thought their retirement was set - yet the become the daytime help at fast food chains.
Possum for Congress Make Peace Possible. Jerry Northington.
by llbear on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 10:50:52 PM PDT
that Democrats have been fighting for years to raise the minimum wage. If republicans had given in to a small raise, it would have defused much of the pressure. Instead, if Dems use the issue effectively, it could help them to retake one or both chambers. That in turn would allow them to introduce a considerable raise.
I know, for at least half a year people working at minimum wage will get no relief. It did not mean to belittle the importance of that fact.
by smintheus on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 11:11:25 PM PDT
wide narrow
View Story | 51 comments