Robert Reich: real reason behind big Dem midterm losses
http://robertreich.org/post/102314408470(also reprinted at http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_real_reason_behind_the_democrats_big_midterm_losses_20141111)
If you want a single reason for why Democrats lost big on Election Day 2014 its this: Median household income continues to drop. This is the first recovery in memory when this has happened.Jobs are coming back but wages arent. Every month the job numbers grow but the wage numbers go nowhere.. .. Fifty years ago, just 29 percent of voters believed government is run by a few big interests looking out for themselves. Now, 79 percent think so.
. . The midterm elections should have been about jobs and wages, and how to reform a system where nearly all the gains go to the top. It was an opportunity for Democrats to shine. Instead, they hid. Consider that in four red states South Dakota, Arkansas, Alaska, and Nebraska the same voters who sent Republicans to the Senate voted by wide margins to raise their states minimum wage. Democratic candidates in these states barely mentioned the minimum wage.
.. .And the Democrats? They have a choice. They can refill their campaign coffers for 2016 by trying to raise even more money from big corporations, Wall Street, and wealthy individuals. And hold their tongues about the economic slide of the majority, and the drowning of our democracy. Or they can come out swinging. Not just for a higher minimum wage but also for better schools, paid family and medical leave, and child care for working families.For resurrecting the Glass-Steagall Act and limiting the size of Wall Street banks.For saving Social Security by lifting the cap on income subject to payroll taxes.For rebuilding the nations roads, bridges, and ports.
For increasing taxes on corporations with high ratios of CEO pay to the pay of average workers.And for getting big money out of politics, and thereby saving our democracy.
Its the choice of the century. Democrats have less than two years to make it.
Phlem
(6,323 posts)Liberal Democratic policies. Wow, what a novel idea.
But that would mean wrestling away the strangle hold on party dialogue from the conservative, pro-corporation 3rd way, unless we want more of the same.
colsohlibgal
(5,275 posts)I keep hearing democrats, trying to make Obama look good, say how about Wall Street's gains? That has not so much relevance for most on Main Street.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)I'd really like PBO to include this in his process.
bvar22
(39,909 posts)They have a choice. They can refill their campaign coffers for 2016 by trying to raise even more money from big corporations, Wall Street, and wealthy individuals. And hold their tongues about the economic slide of the majority, and the drowning of our democracy.
Or they can come out swinging. Not just for a higher minimum wage but also for better schools, paid family and medical leave, and child care for working families.For resurrecting the Glass-Steagall Act and limiting the size of Wall Street banks.For saving Social Security by lifting the cap on income subject to payroll taxes.For rebuilding the nations roads, bridges, and ports.
For increasing taxes on corporations with high ratios of CEO pay to the pay of average workers.And for getting big money out of politics, and thereby saving our democracy.
Its the choice of the century. Democrats have less than two years to make it."
The Democrats HAD an opportunity to do all those things beginning back in 2006 when they won the House and Senate,
and especially immediately after 2008 when Obama won the White House on a Populist campaign,
.....but now, in 2014, with Repub majorities, THAT window is closed.
Wasted Days and Wasted Nights...
[font color=white]......[/font][font size=3]Obama's Army for CHANGE, Jan. 21, 2009[/font]
[font color=white].....................[/font][font size=4]"Oh, What could have been."[/font
billhicks76
(5,082 posts)Hey the corporate Democrats that lost can go get a cushy Wall St job. Their caring only goes so far. They hid because they were protecting their personal future job prospects. They are Vichey-Democrats. Purge them all now and let them jump off a cliff with the Nazi-Republicans.
appalachiablue
(41,132 posts)to see lost opportunity because of no effort then post facto excuses. It is what it is. I'm partial to the Nazi-Repug, Vichy-Dem. concept, though I have some stronger terms for both.
I detest Nazis. My father who I think of and thank today, fought them as a 2nd Lieut., age 24, 7th Army AAA, Rhineland Campaign, Liberated Dachau, Army of Occupation. He never said much about the war or N.s, I stupidly didn't ask. Found out some things later & have insignia he gave me, bronze star from combat fire with German 88s. I went to Munich when I was young, should have visited Dachau but didn't realize his service there and around Munich.
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)...what happened was that a crucial decision-point was reached by many ''Democratic-leaning'' voters. As with any other gambler playing the one-armed bandit, you reach a point at which you must decide whether to keep pulling that lever -- just one more time -- in the hopes that you'll hit the jackpot somehow and recoup your losses.
Or, to walk away before you have absolutely nothing left. Not even your dignity.
- The Republicans won nothing. This broken system was handed to them.....
K&R
blackspade
(10,056 posts). .And the Democrats? They have a choice. They can refill their campaign coffers for 2016 by trying to raise even more money from big corporations, Wall Street, and wealthy individuals. And hold their tongues about the economic slide of the majority, and the drowning of our democracy. Or they can come out swinging. Not just for a higher minimum wage but also for better schools, paid family and medical leave, and child care for working families.For resurrecting the Glass-Steagall Act and limiting the size of Wall Street banks.For saving Social Security by lifting the cap on income subject to payroll taxes.For rebuilding the nations roads, bridges, and ports.
For increasing taxes on corporations with high ratios of CEO pay to the pay of average workers.And for getting big money out of politics, and thereby saving our democracy.
Its the choice of the century. Democrats have less than two years to make it.
So what's it going to be DLC, Third Way, or whatever the fuck you call yourselves these days?
JayhawkSD
(3,163 posts)Democrats should embrace a campaign that says, "WE DO NOT WANT ONE SINGLE AMERICAN WORKING FOR MINIMUM WAGE." We want Americans working in jobs that pay far BETTER THAN MINIMUM WAGE and raising their families without the need to work two jobs and kill themselves with overtime.
4dsc
(5,787 posts)they are the ones within our party who ran from the populist message. Remember than when you think you want to vote for Hillary in 2016.