It’s the Middle Class Stupid!

I just finished the book whose title is the article’s title by James Carville and Stan Greenberg. It was a great read that I think would benefit both conservatives as well as delight liberals. As the title states, they get at the heart of issues quickly, insightfully, and with great knowledge and experience. I took a number of notes throughout the book, which is a bit tricky with a Kindle, but I’m getting used to it. I won’t bore you with all of them, but there are some key pieces near the end of the book I’d like to share.

There is common interest by companies, the Chamber of Commerce along with progressives in simplifying the tax code and getting rid of special interest rates. There also seems commonality in folk wanting to simplify the tax code with fewer exemptions and lower rates that support families, children and encourage work. And practically no support of lowering taxes for the ultra wealthy.

Another area of commonality for conservatives and progressives is our disgust with campaign donations and spending that makes our lives miserable through interminable campaigns. We stand in danger of losing our two party system to the very rich who manipulate campaigns and lack integrity. We need more Sam Buffets and less hidden money people.

Similarly most folk know of the need to deal with energy issues more sensibly. Oil companies and environmental groups should be working together on long term goals and issues and give open investigations into the effects of things like fracking.

I am amazed that healthcare is not always a top priority for both parties. From Teddy Roosevelt on there has been talk of single payer, government sponsored health care for every American but we’ve only just touched on it with Obamacare which is merely a weakened form that Republican and Democrats have talked about for ages. It has huge implications for business and individuals but ideologies get in the way of common interests.

Along with this is the need of strengthening and not vilifying unions. They have been the backbone of middle class growth and prosperity, and when they have been healthy the nation has benefited. Currently unions do not carry a lot of political weight and influence.

The authors also talk about the need of immigration reform especially in how it affects industry, agriculture and white working-class and Latino communities. It is another one of the areas of high rhetoric that masks the real issues. We need to both open paths to citizenship which we have supported historically while stepping up enforcement in workplaces and the borders.

We also need to coalesce in dealing with fair policies with China. We need to understand that as their major client (debtor) we have a great deal of clout with their economy. We need to take them to task on state subsidized companies, manipulated currency, stealing intellectual property, backing internet hacking and our government has the power and needs the will to take them to task over these issues which will benefit all of our society.

There are far too many people in this country who just see the abuse of systems without supporting what these systems are intended to do; so fix them. There are numerous people of all political persuasions that just condemn the government without accepting responsibility as citizens to take control of our government.

It is about the middle class and the middle class needs to step up to the plate if we are going to survive and our country with it. The authors of this book are optimistic, likely more than I. As I said, it is a good read the lifts up real issues and provides areas where Americans can seen their common interests and the need for both political parties to work towards the common good.

The next book I’m eyeing is a memoir by Jeff Connaughton who has work as senior political advisor for and against Wall Street interests. He stands in sharp contrast to William b. Harrison, Jr., former chairman of J.P. Morgan Chase who argues that today’s megabanks are essential to our market economy. Connaughton refutes him at every point. Connaughton’s book is The Payoff: why Wall Street Always Wins.  It is seen as the perfect antidote to the disinformation of the megabanks. I’ve got in on my list but haven’t bought it yet; think I’ll read a bunch of novels to get leveled out first. But if any of you read it I’d like to hear from you.  For a good synopsis of the book go to http://baselinescenario.com/2012/08/25/one-man-against-the-wall-street-lobby/