The answer is economic populism

Think about it. Social issues such as abortion and gay marriage worked against us big time in this election. So if we can't win on social issues, then maybe we need to turn to economic issues. What I'm suggesting here is a return to the "big guy against the little guy" image that have served the Democrats so well throughout this country's history. We need to capitalize on issues like the environment, globalization, the weakening dollar and other "class warfare" issues. That's the way to go if we want to win.
Thoughts?

I just want to know what people think...

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What you just said:
-Increase taxes on people earning 200K, reduce them on people earning less.
-More like 6K to 8K a child.
-Raise Minimum wage to $12.50 an hour.

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You'll have to phase it in over several years. Otherwise, you'll just send a shockwave through the economy and cause high unemployment as employers in the service sector who generally only hire people near minimum wage would lay off folks because they become too expensive, too quickly.

The problem with minimum wage is that few in power have even suggested that we should peg minimum wage to the rate of inflation. As a result, we have to repeatedly revisit the issue over and over again because inflation eats away its buying power, and it leaves open the door to it being unaddressed, especially by a pro-corporate Congress.

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You can't win an election by promising to raise taxes. You just can't.

I don't agree that you need to be specific, though. I mean, that would be nice, but Kerry WAS specific and a lot of good that did him. Short words, short sentences, catchy phrases and snide but simple jokes are the way to package the message. It's not attractive, but it's what works.

Kerry needed what you described.

These points worked when many, really, felt that they were the "little guy." Farm workers, factory workers, even the "company man."

Starting with Reaganomics of the 80s, we steadily moved from manufacturing jobs to service job, so that by the end of the decade, just in time for Bush 1 to lose to Clinton, two-thirds of the economy is based on service. The Wal-Martization of our economy, if you will.

The decade of the 80s, with its high interest rates, made it profitable for Wall Street bankers and investors to facilitate the merger and acquisitions of smaller companies, laying off million of people and dispersing with the assets, fattening the "bottom line."

During the 90s, many young Americans, as well as new comers chose to start their own business. At least they would not be dependent on the whim of an employer. Many had to become "consultants" when they were laid off or were between jobs. And many of these self-employed people see the government as, at best, irrelevant or at worst - a hindrance. Especially when they start hiring help, the regulations that govern employing others, including benefits, are many and complicated.

Many moved across the country for a new job or for a new business someplace else. And as such, you have weak social ties. The only ones, gasp, are the church ties - if you have kids and go to church.

I posted similar thoughts in my thread about immigration http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2759260&mesg_id=2759260

that previous ones joined unions and worked as factory workers where they could see the importance of caring for your fellow workers and neighbors. But when you are a stock worker at Wal-Mart, or a manager at even Barnes & Noble, when you earn minimum wage, perhaps a bit more, when you are an employee "at will" and you may be saddled with a family to support, student and car loans - it is a lot easier to just think about yourself, your family and immediate circle of friends and neighbors.

but skip the Democrats. The better place to start is recognizing that we live in a corporate-controlled nation. So start thinking more about how and where you spend money. That is what powers the corporate overlords. The only way to take away their power is to take away their dollars, by not giving your to them in the first place.

Plase see the economic activism and progressive living group for more information and ideas.

Corporate-controlled America doesn't work and I'm Not Buying It!

:hi:

Out gun the Republicans by supporting even less gun control, aimed at specifically rural voters.

ALLOW Democratic politicians to talk more about religion and how liberals values are Jesus Christ's values. I think they want to but are held back by a few loud people who are mostly in the Democratic base. Anytime they try to talk about religion these knee-jerk anti-religious folk shout them down. You have to remember that Jesus Christ's message is a good one and its not a bad thing to be evangelistic about Jesus Christ's message. Its bad when the message is twisted into (a Satanic message?) one of hate toward folks of other religions, cultures, ethnicities, social standing, etc.

Forget about gay marraige, alltogether. Don't let big media and Republican appointed judges suck you into that argument again. But, fight hard for getting civil unions into law.

Support reproductive freedom. Support keeping the government out of women's bodies. Support choice. AND promote campaigns to talk girls out of having abortion. Support things that try to convince folks that they should not have an abortion. Oppose abortion personally and support freedom from the government.

Be tough on illegal immigrents. Remember that they are breaking the law by being here. Forget about pandering to Hispanics with stupid things like supporting drivers licenses for illegals. Illegals don't vote. Pander to the hispanics who are American citizens, not hispanics who are not supposed to be here.

Never ever support *anything* that sends the jobs of Americans overseas. And you must be very very clear about that to southern Americans, because they know who passed NAFTA: Bill Clinton. And they blame Democrats for NAFTA and they think that Republicans are basically the same. You MUST defeat this fallacy. And anytime big media makes hay about some Democrat who opposes "protectionism" and supports NAFTA as written hurts Dems in the South, regardless of what the DLC may tell you.

If this is what you mean by 'social issues' then I'd have no problem whatsoever with this. This is basically jettisonning just about as much extra policy, that helps Republicans drive a wedge between Americans, as ethically possible.

Typically I take economic populism to mean giving the govt more control of the economy. I think that'd be a horrifying proposal.

Economic = having to do with the economy
Populism = resonates with Joe Q. Average and Rust Belt Rob

Find an economic message that resonates with the so-called "masses" and then beat on it until it sticks. The term "economic populism" is just that.