Reply #57: We ARE on the same side, however... [View All]

I disagree that the Old School New Deal works any more.

While I do agree that some old school themes continue to work well (public works, subsidies for industries underfunded by the market (like alternative fuels)), "Class Warfare" doesn't sell like it use it. Too many Americans translate that to mean, "My taxes goes up and it gets funneled to some lazy bum".

Let me tell you what can sell. Let's start with "Accountability and Responsibility", "Fairness" and "Efficiency".

Hey, remember all that stuff in the last election about cracking down on all the corporate fraud? You do? BECAUSE I DON'T. NOT A FU*KING WORD from the Kerry Campaign.

Don't talk about giving hand outs to the less fortunate. Most (voting) Americans don't consider themselves "less fortunate".

Talk about "Efficiency" and how government can provide health insurance at lower rates than private enterprise through economies of scale and lower total administration costs due to the lack of profit motive.

Talk about "Fairness" and show how rich people, just like Bush said in the last election, don't really pay those higher rates on the tax forms. Remember all that talk about closing loopholes for the wealthy? You do? Because I don't remember WORD ONE about it from the Kerry campaign!

And what about "Accountability"? You really want to sing to middle America? How about tougher rules and standards for pension funds and mutual funds? Remember all that talk from the Kerry campaign? You do? Because I don't!

You see, I believe we're on the SAME SIDE, but I can't help but think a CHANGE is needed, in both approach and style...