A Line in the Sand

YESTERDAY I SUGGESTED THAT Democrats respond to the Republican demand for a tax give-away to Big Wealth with a counter proposal that clearly marks Democrats as what they are—the party of the middle class.

They should begin with a simple and straightforward bill, aimed at tax reform, which does nothing except change the rates:

1. taking tax rates on the wealthy back to the Reagan era,
2. taking taxes on corporations even further back—to the golden age of the fifties, when America was the most powerful nation in the world, and
3. giving a a sizable tax cut to the middle class, while
4. keeping enough in the budget to help reduce the deficit without Draconian cuts to programs the American people want.

Introduce the bill, with much fanfare, in both houses, making the case that this approach is sound fiscal policy, attacking the deficit while keeping money where it can increase demand to fuel the economy, help rebuild the American dream, and move our nation forward to recapture the greatness we once had.

And don't stop there—introduce a set of similar bills, each simple and uncomplicated, each clearly designed to come to the rescue of the middle class, create jobs, or attack the deficit.

Some possibilities:

1. Social Security reform: eliminate the cap on contributions and introduce means-testing of payouts in a way that puts the program on a sound financial basis for the next hundred years without cutting anyone's retirement.
   
   When Republicans complain that rich people won't get back what they pay into the system, tell them that Social Security is insurance against the possibility that they won't be rich when they retire, and that like any other insurance they should hope they won't have to collect.
2. Tax breaks to small businesses that create jobs: allow them to deduct middle and lower-class salaries at some increased value (say, for example, 100% + the unemployment rate).
3. Measures to eliminate tax loopholes for wall street types, big corporations, and the wealthy in general: make each bill specific, clear, and uncluttered—addressing a specific issue in a way that addresses the deficit, aids the economy, aids the middle class, and appeals to the American value of fairness.

Do this with as many good, solid, simple and clear policies as you can think of which will strengthen the country, lower the deficit, and build the middle class.

And build a gigantic advertising and fund-raising campaign around these specific policies—inviting the middle class into the fight to preserve the middle class.

If Republicans manage to obstruct them before the end of the year, keep pushing for the next two years.

Don't give up.

One of two things will happen, if you keep at it:

1. Republicans will cave, and you can then go about cleaning up any details to fine tune the results.
2. Republicans will (more likely) fight everything tooth and nail, refusing to let it pass or even come to the floor.
   
   In that case, you spend two years fighting back, clearly and publicly, making the reality clear:
   • Republicans are not on the side of the middle class.
   • Republicans are not interested in fixing the deficit, unless it involves a tax windfall for the wealthy.
   • Republicans are interested in cutting social security, Medicare, and any other services which their wealthy base doesn't need.
   • The entire Republican program is aimed at defunding America, so that it can no longer support middle-class hopes and dreams.

Through all of this, drive home the underlying truth: that the Republican mantra about robbing the middle class and lining the pockets of Big Wealth as the only way to improve the economy or balance the budget or provide jobs is bullshit.

• When Republicans cry that it's unfair for the super wealthy to pay a higher tax rate, point out that it's unfair for the people who get 90% of the benefit from an economy not to pay the lion's share of the cost—or for those who do 90% of the work to pay more than their fair share.
• When Glenn Beck calls you socialists, point out that Beck constantly confuses socialism with democracy, and with measures to reinforce the free market.
• When Republicans scream that we should make budget cuts instead of raising taxes:

1. ask them which cuts, specifically, and
2. point out that the government belongs to the American people, that taxes are how the American people finance their government—their national household—and that no sensible person starts to balance a household budget by asking for a pay cut.

And when the people put Democrats back in charge in 2012 you will be able to keep your promises by enacting the simple proposals quickly, and doing any fine-tuning later, because the nation will finally understand your position.

Republicans continue to hand Democrats one gift after another:

• They continue to build their base on subtly disguised and not-so-subtly disguised racism.
• They continue to campaign on ideological fiscal, foreign, and domestic policies that have been proven worthless, and are only designed to line the pockets of the short-sighted wealthy.
• They continue to have no real solutions or plan to move this country forward.

The American people are not stupid—they abhor all of the above.

And yet Republicans continue to make things difficult for Democrats by seizing the narrative, and by using the desire of liberals to reach compromise and play nice.

It's time that stopped.

Democrats owe it to the country to draw a line in the sand, to make it absolutely clear what the struggle is about, and to fight for the middle class.

At least, that's what I think today.