Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

wilsonbooks

(972 posts)
Thu Dec 5, 2013, 04:38 PM Dec 2013

‘Centrist’ think tank attacks Warren, sparks major blowback

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/attack-warren-sparks-major-blowback



There’s been a lot of talk lately about the coming battle over economic populism that could tear the Democratic Party apart. But it’s looking more and more like one side has already won.

Consider what happened this week: On Monday, Jon Cowan and Jim Kessler of Third Way, a centrist Democratic Washington think tank, published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal that called an economic populist agenda “disastrous for Democrats.” It took particular exception to a proposal by Sen. Elizabeth Warren to expand Social Security, and blasted those who oppose cuts to Medicare. As its sole piece of evidence for the idea that populism is politically harmfu, it cited Colorado voters’ recent rejection of an initiative to raise taxes to pay for public education and universal pre-K.

Cowan and Kessler’s argument, on both the policy and the politics, has already been thoroughly demolished (see here and here, among other places). But what’s fascinating is the swift and decisive pushback their op-ed generated.

As the Huffington Post reported, Warren sent a letter to six big banks urigng them to dislcose the think tanks and lobby shops they fund—the implication being that much of the backing for groups advocating the kind of business-friendly economic poicies supported by Third Way comes, undisclosed. from Wall Street.
10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
‘Centrist’ think tank attacks Warren, sparks major blowback (Original Post) wilsonbooks Dec 2013 OP
K&R! me b zola Dec 2013 #1
K&R More people are waking up to what these parasites really are. n/t Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #2
A bit more wilsonbooks Dec 2013 #3
I am shocked, shocked that gambling is going on in here... truebluegreen Dec 2013 #4
K&R. It will take them awhile to realize just what time it really is, and update their clocks. nt silvershadow Dec 2013 #5
Petition wilsonbooks Dec 2013 #6
^ Wilms Dec 2013 #7
1992 called. It wants its "new Democrat" gimmick back. nt Guy Whitey Corngood Dec 2013 #8
DURec. bvar22 Dec 2013 #9
Third way = GOP AgingAmerican Dec 2013 #10
 

truebluegreen

(9,033 posts)
4. I am shocked, shocked that gambling is going on in here...
Thu Dec 5, 2013, 07:12 PM
Dec 2013

From Daily Kos, here's a link with a chart of Third Way's board of trustees. Out of 29 people, 20 are investment bankers, 3 are CEOs and 2 are corporate lawyers...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/05/1260388/-Third-Way-s-congressional-enablers?detail=hide

bvar22

(39,909 posts)
9. DURec.
Fri Dec 6, 2013, 04:13 PM
Dec 2013

I have had ENOUGH "Centrism" and triangulation.
They have had 30 years in charge of the Democratic Party,
and things have just gotten worse.
Clinton and NeoLiberal Free Market Economics has FAILED MISERABLY (or worked beautifully for the 1%).

It is well past time to start fighting FOR traditional Working Class Democratic Party Values with protections for Mom & Pop and the Working Class.
I want to vote FOR something,
not AGAINST the other guys.

"We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. “Necessitous men are not free men.” People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be [font size=3]established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.[/font]

Among these are:

*The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

*The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

*The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

*The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

*The right of every family to a decent home;

*The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

*The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

*The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being."
--FDR, 1944

Please note that FDR specified the above as Fundamental Human Rights,
and NOT as Commodities to be SOLD to Americans by For Profit Corporations.

There was a time when voting FOR The Democrat
was voting FOR the above Values.
Sadly, this is no longer true.

I hope for a time when the Democratic Party will return to these values which built
the Largest, Wealthiest, and most Upwardly Mobile Working Class the World
had ever seen.

WORD!


[font color=firebrick][center]"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans.
I want a party that will STAND UP for Working Americans."
---Paul Wellstone [/font]
[/center] [center] [/font]
[font size=1]photo by bvar22
Shortly before Sen Wellstone was killed[/center]
[/font]


You will know them by their [font size=3]WORKS.[/font]

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»‘Centrist’ think tank att...