General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Third Way, William Daley, and the Grand Bargain. [View all]Samantha
(9,314 posts)(From the thread) Let's look at these points closely:
A summary of their prescription:
1. Entitlement reform and tax increases. "Democrats must accept reconfiguring the budget so that, in relative terms, the amount of spending on health care and income supports is reduced compared to public investments."
No, we Democrats do not have to accept entitlement reform and tax increases because you state we must. Many of us want the true White Collar Crime in America, the outrageous gouging of health beneficiaries by out of control health care providers and pharmaceutical companies to be reigned in. Many of us Democrats recognize that the "Third Way" although inspired by a term Bill Clinton coined during his administration is virtually a new version of the DLC, which folded because its ideas and promotions were thoroughly outrageous to Democrats. The DLC was basically Republican ideas in Democratic wraps. Today, it is the Third Way. If you support Republican philosophies, discard the facade and go join the Republican party.
2. Become an export giant. "Democrats must accept that expanding U.S. exports comes primarily through aggressive new trade measures like the Trans Pacific Partnership."
Most Democrats do support expanding exports, provided the terms and conditions are reasonable. The Trans Pacific Partnership is unacceptable. You misunderstand us. Most of us can read and have excellent reading comprehension skills. Here is a link to a site which discusses this partnership, and some of the detail within the document has already been rejected by a great number of Democrats:
http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/07/trans-pacific-partnership-threatens-environment-economy-american-sovereignty/
"Fortunately, there are some brave souls out there, as there were in revolutionary times, who defy their masters, risking all, in the pursuit of truth, justice, and the American way.
One of these brave souls leaked a document, that was not supposed to see the light of day, which exposes a grand scheme to essentially sell off large portions of this countrys property, rights and resources for the express purpose of increasing the profits of the corporations who appear to have a heavy hand in writing the agreement.
I am speaking of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade agreement, that basically hands over the keys to our country to a number of foreign and multinational corporations entitling them to basically do whatever they want."
So if you would like to sell your soul to the Company store, go right ahead. But don't try dragging true progressive Democrats who care about the environment and this Country's true assets along with you.
3. Reform corporate taxes and business regulations. "Democrats must accept that a simpler tax code with a low corporate rate and a streamlined regulatory regime that helps businesses grow is good for America."
There you go again, telling Democrats what we must accept. The elected legislators who make decisions for this Country, are public servants charged with the responsibility of protecting the best interests of the Country and its citizenry. I do not remember seeing the "Third Way" mentioned in the Constitution as the fourth arm of our government, so please, do not tell us "what Democrats must accept." Corporations should without question be taxed at reasonable rates and this Country needs to crack down on those who avoid paying taxes through manipulating tax loopholes. Additionally, most thinking Americans want regulation in this area by the government on functioning corporations and individuals making profits through vulture capitalism.
4. Increase the productivity and educational attainment of the American workforce. "Democrats must accept that education funding comes with a commitment to reform that puts student performance above all else. They must accept that it is virtually impossible to reform and improve education without restructuring the way teachers are hired, promoted, and dismissed." Third Way Directors active in the charter school movement include William Budinger, Andrew Feldstein, and Derek Kaufman.
Most working people in the conventional work force are currently doing the job of two or three people and are being highly exploited. So to suggest we need to increase the workers' productivity at this time seems to suggest you advocate working Americans to death. Genuine Democrats advocate for higher pay for our current workforce and adding to the work force as needed, not further exploiting employees already in place as in "doing more with less." Employers should hire as many employees as are needed to get the job done without exploiting those employees already in place.
5. Become a global magnet for talent. "Democrats must accept that legislation must tilt future immigration flows into the country decidedly in the direction of skills and education." The vague language here suggests support for expanding HB1 visas.
While it is a commonly echoed Republican plank that Americans are stupid, Americans are uneducated, and Americans cannot do many of the jobs currently opened, many Americans know this is not true. Hire Americans first when qualified people apply for the job. Extend visas to those applying in areas where there are genuine labor shortfalls and when possible extend courtesy visas to those who wish to come to the Country to train in a specific arena. More than one large employer has extended job opportunities to people from beyond our borders simply working from the belief they can be exploited and underpaid easily. This has to be stopped. Employers hiring workers from other countries to do jobs here must treat them within the legal realms of our current labor laws.
6. Improve infrastructure.
Democrats have been advocating for improving infrastructure for years. We see a lot of potential especially in rebuilding bridges, rebuilding and/or shoring up levies, investing in wind and solar power, rebuilding the electric grid, just to name a few things, that would give rise to more domestic employment with jobs that cannot be outsourced. Perhaps you must accept that real progressives are not going to back down from this.
7. Spur breakthrough innovation.
When did we not? Why do you think we need you to tell us this?
So don't come knocking on my door, trying to make me over. I think we progressives are in the right place and perhaps it is you who need to change.
Sam