Republicans in Congress remind me of a bunch of 2-year-olds because it seems the only word they know how to say is, "No." Bailout of the giant troubled financial institutions? "No." Aid for America's ailing auto industry? "No." A stimulus package to help states, local governments, educational institutions and private industry put people back to work? "No." Health care reform? "No! No! No! No!"
Here’s an easy way to win an argument with a conservative over taxes and spending. Hand the conservative a piece of paper, a pencil and a calculator and ask him or her to write down exactly what spending they would cut, and by how much. And ask them to keep writing until they balance the budget. read more »
The “Jobs Summit” is Thursday. Are they going to try to get things back to normal? I hope not!
“Normal” isn’t an option anymore, because it is what led to where we are. read more »
..."[O]ur troop commitment in Afghanistan cannot be open-ended -- because the nation that I am most interested in building is our own."
—President Obama
But Afghanistan comes first?
Conservatives call the state of the economy the “greatest story never told,” but in reality it’s an economy reminiscent of the Gilded Age. The myth of a booming economy does not reflect the everyday experiences of working-class Americans. In fact, most Americans see the nation either in or near a recession. We need a broad reassessment of our economic policies.read more »
On July 24, the federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 an hour. At a time when getting money into the hands of workers—and thus consumers—is key to jump-starting the economy, a 10.7 percent wage increase will mean $1.6 billion in extra purchasing power for the estimated 4.5 million workers directly affected by the increase. read more »
Between 2001 and 2007, more 3 million manufacturing workers lost their jobs—a 17 percent decline.
Today, the top federal income-tax rate for ordinary income is 35 percent, meaning that earned income is taxed at a rate 2 1/3 higher than income from capital gains
We’ve always known that America’s reign as the world’s greatest nation would eventually end. But most of us imagined that our downfall, when it came, would be something grand and tragic. What we’re getting instead is less a tragedy than a deadly farce. Instead of fraying under the strain of imperial overstretch, we’re paralyzed by procedure. Instead of re-enacting the decline and fall of Rome, we’re re-enacting the dissolution of 18th-century Poland.read more »
In some states, progressive leadership and grass-roots activism have turned crisis into opportunity for long-deferred tax reform.read more »
Much of the public believes that tax cuts "create jobs." A recent Rasmussen poll found that 59% of voters believe cutting taxes is better than increasing government spending as a job-creation tool. read more »
This is something people should know about. Every effort to reform financial regulations is blocked by Senate filibusters. Maybe now we know why.
From last week: Republicans Chase Wall Street Donors read more »
I don't like to use the term "whore" lightly. But what else, in our current economic environment, would you call this? read more »
If you've ever wondered where conservative economic policies like permanent tax cuts for the wealthy, slashed social services and government spending are supposed to lead us, look no further than Colorado Springs.
David Sirota's description of what's happening to that conservative stronghold should serve as a cautionary tale. read more »
New unemployment data has a little good news, but doesn't show the way forward.read more »
Listening to conservatives squawk about deficits is a bit like taking parenting and/or relationship advice from Medea, the Gosselins or "Octomom." At best, they serve as an example of what not to do.
As it is with children, so it is with conservatives and deficits. People who are very good at making them aren't necessarily all that skilled in dealing with them.
And we know, during the previous decade, conservatives proved themselves quite adept a creating a deficit from a surplus.
read more »
1825 K Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20006
202-955-5665 (tel) | 202-955-5606 (fax) | institute.ourfuture.org
home | donate | search | contact us | your privacy
