Wall Street-Backed Organization Blasts Rising American Populism and Elizabeth Warren

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http://www.alternet.org/economy/wall-street-backed-organization-blasts-rising-american-populism-and-elizabeth-warren



An almost palpable air of desperation clings to the anti-“populist,” anti-Elizabeth Warren editorial by Jonathan Cowan and Jim Kessler of the corporate-funded Third Way organization. If they’re worried, they’re right to worry. The world is changing.

“Economic Populism Is a Dead-End for Democrats” appeared in The Wall Street Journal, appropriately enough, and argues that the election of staunch progressives like Bill De Blasio as mayor in New York City and Warren as Massachusetts senator have no broader political significance.

For a piece that purports to address something called “economic populism,” Cowan and Kessler make some striking omissions. Nothing is said about today’s record levels of unemployment, including long-term unemployment. Or about the retirement crisis confronting most Americans. Or the wage stagnation that is crushing the middle class.

How is it possible to address “economic populism” without mentioning the three economic trends that have had the greatest impact on the general public?