More Evidence ‘Centrist’ Solutions Can’t Save Us

[LiberalElite]

http://ourfuture.org/20150209/centrist-solutions-cant-save-us-says-new-study?utm_source=progressive_breakfast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pbreak

-snip-

We have become a profoundly unequal society. That reality is explored in new detail in a recent study from the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET). Even more importantly, the INET study shows that it will take a dramatic shift in policy to restore the equilibrium. Unless we can build momentum for a new political agenda, we’ll be divided into a small minority with fabulous wealth and a permanent underclass with few hopes or prospects.

Unfortunately, our mainstream political dialogue shows no sign of adapting to these realities. As the INET study confirms, mainstream Democratic ideas won’t protect us from this dismal future.

Republican policies? Don’t ask.

That’s why it was discouraging to read in the New York Times this weekend that the presumed presidential nominee of the Democratic Party is “expected to embrace … standard Democratic initiatives like raising the minimum wage, investing infrastructure, closing corporate tax loopholes and cutting taxes for the middle class” – along with “newer” ideas like “providing incentives to corporations to increase profit sharing with employees and changing labor laws to give workers more collective bargaining power.”

-snip-

Also cross posed in politics 2015

[Enthusiast]

1. The Democratic Presidential candidate must advocate raising the tax rate on the wealthy.

It is a popular position and the right thing to do.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Things are bubbling beneath the surface in the world, and the heat is rising.

We've had a Greek winter, and are maybe headed into a Spanish spring.

The shape-shifting Occupy movement, Piketty, the Draft Warrenites, the Republicans starting to pretend they care about the peasants, studies like this one. The economic focus is shifting; people are rejecting austerity and the upward suck as the dominant themes of the world's economy.

More than 2 centuries ago, the sparks from our revolution were carried by the winds to France, where they started another conflagration. Now the whole world has become a tinderbox, ready to receive the sparks from flashpoints like Greece.

I get the feeling that the Arab Spring-->Madison Uprising-->Occupy movement was just a practice run.

[on point]

4. I would say things are approaching 'seething', but the PTB seem oblivious

Pretty typical before most societies blow up

[Jackpine Radical]

5. I actually had a bumper sticker made that read:

"The French Aristocracy never saw it coming either."

[on point]

9. Thanks. Love it. Can I use this without royalty? ;-)

[Jackpine Radical]

10. Absolutely.

I probly stole it from somewhere too.

[Fairgo]

11. Green shoots

I agree wholeheartedly. The really interesting thing is that if enough of us see green shoots...they are green shoots. If we dare act as if there is hope, they will grow! Too often we focus on the comings and goings of the artfacts of passion, like the camps of the occupy movement. When the camps are kicked over and nothing physically remains but the giant golden calf (or bronze bull as it were), the greek chorus bemoans the passing of an event as if it were a death. But its not easy to kill a movement...it lives on and it grows, and it is immediately accessible to every thinking and feeling person..because it lives in our values as americans. There will be fresh shoots in the Spring.

[aspirant]

3. Legal Money or Alternative Currencies

Last edited Mon Feb 9, 2015, 08:56 PM - Edit history (1)

California just made Bitcoin legal money.

Maybe each state could create a state bank and issue its own alternative currency to the needy, as an Annual Living Income.

Or give a pension to all Vets,that served in any capacity. The defense department's budget could be easily adjusted.

Or lift the cap on SS and expand it as well as lower the age to 55.

OR...?

[antiquie]

6. tiny clarification

The use of the phrase “legal tender” overstated the extent of the new legislation, and was inaccurate. Although alternative currencies are now legal for transaction in California, there is no legal obligation for their acceptance in transactions.

source

I am a fan of your ideas.

[aspirant]

7. I Thank You Antiquie

IMO, this is what DU should be all about, helping one another. We can only get stronger if we share knowledge because a One Person Band is exhausting.

The source used "alternative currencies for transactions" and "legal money." Sounds OK to me and I will make the change.

When the one turns into two and unites into the many, then our voices will be heard.

[sabrina 1]

8. Your last sentence is so true. Or, 'the people, united, can never be defeated'.

Something the PTBs know and fear more than anything else.

[whereisjustice]

12. K&R "inclusive capitalism" "politics of envy" That sonnofabitch Summers just keeps poking at us...

I suspect at some point, we will poke back. It won't be dressed up in some bullshit corporate speak.