I am beginning to see the sketchings of a powerful cradle-to-grave type of argument that we can make in opposition to the Neo-Conservative agenda. Since I don't have the hosting available to upload some kind of fancy chart, a plain text layout after the jump.
Let's start with the over-arching monster to this entire map: The Deficit. Visualize it as some kind of ungodly halo hovering above the entire thing.
Now, the effects placed on an individual John/Jane Doe born into this country today.
1) The "Birth Tax": Pound home the $36,000 number for newborn Jane and little Jack. Compound that over their lifespan if we proceed with such irresponsible fiscal policy
After birth, you enter the wonderful world that is childhood.
2) "No Child Left Behind": Talk about the failures of this program, beginning with its lack of funding...the perfect example of this emperor possessing no clothes. We can fold in conversations about health care here, including Kerry's drive to cover every child in the country. Why isn't this a priority over Social Security? These children have no insurance TODAY...not 2052.
With the right background, demography, financing, etc., most children go on to higher education. Those without the aforementioned benefits do not.
3) Higher Education: Kerry spent considerable time in his campaign talking about education credits that would help every individual in this country go to college. This kind of investment in our country's future provides multi-level benefits beyond comprehension.
Upon graduation, a nice plum spot awaits you in "the real world." If your daddy is rich or has connections, that is.
4) Jobs/The Economy: Trade deficits, the lowering value of the dollar, the shift in the QUALITATIVE value of jobs (yes, January added jobs...but what types of jobs? Minimum wage jobs?). Hammer home the unfair tax burden that our middle class and lower income earners have to bear...I visualize a graph showing the respective ratios of how much is returned for every dollar spent by 1) An individual making $200,000 a year, 2) You average wage earner, and 3) someone below the poverty line. That will shock some people. Don't forget corporations.
5) Family: Put the pressure on the Neo-Cons to define family. Which is better, the loving, supporting trio consisting of a child and "two daddies"? Or the broken home with an abusive father, a negligent mother, and the child faced with a frightening future? Just after what would have been Bob's 60th, One Love, for god's sake. I am not a fan of this angle, but one could also look at famillies that have been destroyed by the illicit waging of war by this administration.
After a long life as a responsible American citizen, you have a right to security in your retirement.
6) Social Security: It's all in the name, derived from "secure." Safeguarded from corporate scandal, financial misreporting, and bankruptcy. Not a profit-making vehicle, but a solid, safe, guaranteed income stream at the end of your life. One that is NOT in crisis, but in fact one in which good news seems to come on a weekly basis (ex: 2042 moved back to 2052).
The life-season passes into winter, and we meet our maker (whether you believe that to be a deity of some sort, or simply the earth itself).
7) The Death Tax: Ah, repubs say "we got you here, we repealed this." Yes you did. But those we leave behind now simply bear a different kind of burden...while assets are not taxed, the reduction of this tax inflow to our goverment leaves it at a greater deficit. So when you die, you pass on a DEBT to your children instead of a TAX. Financially, which is better, I ask you.