Kerry has three points to make on the economy that I think he hinted at last night but didn't drive home:
- Bush's "Free Lunch" Tax giveaways rob America of its future, since as the debt increases, so does the burden on our children. This means Bush is literally stealing from the future to payoff corporations in the present. And what do we have to show for it? How many Jobs have really been created? Segueway to:
- The real job creation situation. Bush has told us that tax cuts for the wealthiest 1% will create jobs. Has this happened? Can we rely on dividend tax cuts and corporate tax cuts to create jobs here at home? Explain the fallacy of this logic. Also how the jobs Bush created have not kept pace with growth in the workforce--the jobs Bush claims he created are gross, not net, and set off a negative baseline.
- Address the "tax and spend" charge with this: Tax revenue allow the government the means to make wise investments in the country's future growth, i.e. the highway system (50's/60's) and internet (90's). Mention these, and make the point that without both of these government projects the booms of the 60's and 90's would not have occurred. Talk about the Apollo Alliance as a similar strategic initiative in the same spirit as the internet and highway system. How it will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create jobs, and be good for the environment. That's the vision thing, and he needs to lay it on the line with the same clear, forthright manner he showed in the last two debates.
He hinted at all of these but didn't nail them home--here's hoping he does it next time.