Wednesday, June 19, 2013

"Reaganomics" Has Collapsed--So Why Aren't We Talking About It?

Worker pay goes down, even when productivity goes up.  In fact, wages have fallen so low that taxpayers are now effectively subsidizing private-sector jobs through their own taxes, while tax rates are so low that literally trillions of dollars are being shuffled up, up and away from the middle class and the poor.

The supply-side philosophy we generally refer to as "Reaganomics," in short, has fallen flat on its face.  A rising tide does not lift all boats.  It only gives the wealthy an excuse to buy a bigger boat, and leave everyone else in its wake.  The transformation of American into a banana republic by Banana Republicans is nearly complete.

I understand why there are no MSM voices decrying this sorry state of affairs.  They were bought out a long time ago, with Rupert Murdock (a man who can afford three divorces) doing most of the buying.

I understand why the folks in Kansas and other red states don't object.  They're still convinced that government only exists to take their guns and fetuses, while being nice to rich folks will make them share their money.  (It won't.  That's why they're rich folks in the first place.  In fact, that's how capitalism is designed to work; it's based on the formation of capital by one means or another.)

But what about the rest of us?

Apart from a lot of online activity, I sense a steadily increasing sense of resignation, a willingness to give up in the hope that, somehow, things won't be too bad.

Wrong.

They can be far worse. They will get far worse, if we don't stop talking to each other and start doing two things.

First, organize.  Truthfully, there's a lot of organization out there already; you just have to decide to be a part of it.  Starting with Organizing for America would be a good place, if you haven't gone there already.

The second thing is much more difficult, but I'm convinced it is absolutely necessary.  Find a way to engage people on the other side in a dialogue.  Don't be afraid to do so.  It can be both difficult and frustrating.  But it is a way--an essential way--to fight back against the pre-programing done by the likes of Fox News.  Prove that we aren't a caricature.  Prove that our ideas are better.  And don't buy into the idea that winning the hearts and minds of those who disagree with you is worthless.  It's the only way anything of value has ever been accomplished.  And it's the only way to gain the trust of those you wish to be governed the way that you see fit.

And, if you want to start with something to share, share this.

And this.

And this.

And, if you really want to amaze them, this.

Above all, don't give in to the "inevitable."  It's not inevitable if you do something about it.

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