Tax the Rich; End the Wars; Medicare for All. It's really that simple. nt

[grahamhgreen]

[emulatorloo]

1. pretty much.

[DrDan]

2. clean up the environment

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Put people to work on government jobs

modernizing the infrastructure.

[howaboutme]

9. Why don't they take those unemployed

and create WPA type jobs that will accomplish something productive for the country with infrastructure, services, parks, etc. There are huge needs in the USA and to just piss away the availability of this much labor, that could accomplish some of this, is an absurd waste of talent and money. Time could be made available to seek out jobs in their field or until the economy improves. Having to meet schedules and working is something we all need to keep our work ethic.

[Jackpine Radical]

18. That is exactly where I was coming from.

Thanks for elaborating on it. That would sure as hell take the wings out of the sails of the Republican "Lazy Bum" theory.

[howaboutme]

27. Exactly -

the lack of basic common sense and political smarts on this by Obama and the Democrats is plain crazy. There is no reason why the billions spent towards unemployment couldn't be going towards improving the country and increasing confidence and perception that we have a competent government.

Instead they give it away and require nothing in return, and it accomplishes nothing except to increase criticism for the unemployed and from those who are employed. Our leaders just don't know how to think outside their political chambers and the lobbyists who surround them.

[Jackpine Radical]

29. Obama won't do it unless

there's a way for the Privateers to get their cut.

[Doctor_J]

40. THere's the problem

Since the richest 1% are going to take 90% of any profit that's available, the pie's going to have to be pretty big for it to help at all.

[Enthusiast]

69. Cut, hell, unless they get it all. nt

[StarsInHerHair]

56. they could do it Obama would have to overturn a Reagan-era law that

forbids a new WPA government program.

[Sherman A1]

60. Precisely

It is such a win-win for everyone that this makes no sense whatsoever. People want to work, they just can't find jobs. Granted there are cases in which exceptions would need to be made, but they could be addressed. Society could use the benefit of the work the unemployed could provide, even if it is picking up paper in a park or raking leaves. It would also serve to make people feel useful, perhaps allow for some networking, learning of new skills and just get things moving forward, even if not in a straight line.

I also think the retirement age needs to be lowered from 66/67 to 62 with 55 for early retirement (both with Medicare), with the stipulation that the new retirees (when physically able) provide some community service. It's a win win again and opens up jobs for those in desperate straights.

[NNN0LHI]

95. Got to have the manufacturing jobs to pay those government workers or it doesn't work

We have to actually be making stuff and selling it or the numbers don't add up. Ever see anything that said "Made in Greece", on it? Me neither. Thats why they went bankrupt.

Having everyone working for the government and sending our manufacturing overseas puts us on the road to insolvency.

This is really simple economics. About as simple as it gets.

Don

[howaboutme]

96. Manufacturing jobs really are

the foundation of an economy. It forms the basis of a broad based economy that creates a middle class.

The financiers and capitalists worked hard to outsource our manufacturing and make the financial markets, and their virtual financial products the foundation of the USA economy. We found out that was akin to making Las Vegas our economic capital. The difference is in Las Vegas the dealers made relative peanuts while in NYC and elsewhere the financial dealers made(stole) billions.

The financialists have a established a self serving club (just like CEOs) that excludes most Americans, and in fact most of us were harmed by it. Even after destroying our economy they continue to control government and use taxpayer money to make themselves rich again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acLW1vFO-2Q

[Newest Reality]

4. Abolish the Federal Reserve

so that we don't have to pay interest on the money we create.

Also, reform corporate laws so that they don't stack everything in the favor of Fascism.

[old mark]

5. Simple enough, if it were not that the rich make tons of money off of wars, and

give lots of it to politicians...

K&R
mark

[fasttense]

6. kick

[Skink]

7. this is why I'm writing in Spitzer in 2012

[Tippy]

11. Do you think he learned his lesson? I don't think he did

[WinkyDink]

24. I love him, but please; he's got baggage.

[StarsInHerHair]

57. and yet 'diaper dave's baggage doesn't seem to deprive him of a job

I think it's way past time that the Dems quit allowing themselves to be victimized, and I am talking about the Dems at the top, in leadership positions.

[Spyderama]

8. Progressives Must Fight for Their Message

We have been so lambasted by the right wing media that we have become somewhat shell-shocked. We need to coagulate our message and fight back now!

<http://www.e-tabitha.com/2011/01/who-me.html>

[Enthusiast]

70. The media.

You're right, of course. But because the media is right wing our message can't get out. It is never heard. And it certainly isn't going to be heard from the Obama Administration.

[Tippy]

10. PUT Americans back to work......

[liberal N proud]

12. But those in charge don't think they represent those who need Medicare

When you have a congress that works for the rich, the poor and middle class are going to get hurt.

[Jackpine Radical]

20. What the hell, if the elderly vote Republican,

let them (us--I'm 66) reap the fruits of their stupidity.


And no, I don't really mean that. I know a lot of people who are voting out of fear, and fear is seldom consistent with rationality.

[TreasonousBastard]

13. Simple to say, but if it was that simple to do...

it would have been done already.

[meow mix]

15. anyone who says "no we cant its too hard" loses my vote

defeatism is sad to watch

[Doctor_J]

39. Anyone who says "it's simple" loses credibility

denial is pretty sad too

[dreamnightwind]

47. No Keep It Simple please!

I really like the OP, it's exactly the way to bring about change. Simple and focused. And undeniably true.

It can be that simple. We have to push the meme, create that reality, so though I understand (to some degree) the complexity and resistance to reform of the systems we're up against, a tight, simple message like this that gets to the heart of it is a great approach.

Naysayers under the bus, we have a mission.

[Doctor_J]

71. Push it how?

The ultra-right owns all of the tv stations, cable/satellite companies, radio stations, and newspapers.

[Cherchez la Femme]

77. Neither MLK nor Gandhi had media support

still, they won.

If enough use Gandhi's non-violent resistance as an oppositional tactic, in the long run we'll win too
--but we'll have to sacrifice some blood (not necessarily meaning deaths, but plenty of cracked skulls)

[Doctor_J]

86. They also didn't have to fight the current fascist media juggernaut

and I think it would be much more productive for the fascists to shed the blood.

[okieinpain]

83. it's not that simple. didn't that guy get run over by that tank in

Tienanmen square, that's reality.

[dreamnightwind]

93. No he didn't get run over

but thanks for the buzz kill, it helps the cause a lot (sarcasm).

Tianamen certainly didn't succeed in overthrowing the gov, unfortunately, but it was a great attempt, something to be admired rather than something to be cynically used to prevent citizen efforts at reform.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_Man

"Video footage shows that two figures in blue attire then pulled the man away and disappeared with him into a nearby crowd; the tanks continued on their way.<2> Eyewitnesses disagree about the identity of the people who pulled him aside. Jan Wong is convinced the group were concerned citizens helping him away.<3> Charlie Cole believes that the man was arrested by secret police and was just one of the many executed in the aftermath of the military crackdown, since the Chinese government was never able to produce him after the images became public"

Apparently nobody knows or is saying.

Reality is a funny thing. It's out there, seemingly solid, and to deny its existence is folly, but it's also malleable. Pushing the 3 simple areas of focus in the OP, over and over, is a good way to reshape that reality. That's what the Repubs do, they push simple memes till they're blue in the face. It works for them, and their memes aren't even true. The 3 changes suggested by the OP would right this ship. We'd still have work to do, but I think it's a great place to focus energy, and it doesn't need to replace any more sophisticated attempt at system reform (assuming that's where you're coming from). What's not to like?

[eridani]

55. Policies may not always be simple, but messaging jolly well ought to be n/t

[meow mix]

14. plus new jobs.. invest in infrastructure, energy

disgusted with our leaders. consider me in malcontent wing of the party cause i refused to help anymore

[valerief]

16. That doesn't make rich people richer. It's that simple. The purpose of life is

to make rich people richer. That's all. There's nothing else. Death, taxes, and rich people get richer.

:banghead:

[Doctor_J]

17. Unrec

vanity thread.

[howaboutme]

28. I actually prefer vanity threads

from average people with common sense and compassion over what we hear and see from so-called the media elite. They don't know anymore than we do, and most are spewing a corporate contrived agenda.

[StarsInHerHair]

58. and just how contrived is becoming more obvious by the day

nt

[fascisthunter]

32. I just offset your unrec

[Doctor_J]

36. uhh...OK

maybe I'll post, "I like the president" and see how many rec's I can gather.

[Cherchez la Femme]

78. Oh for Goddess' sake

all your complaints are simply in defense of one man?!

Yea, fuck the greater good -- it isn't complimentary about Obama so you're,
as Groucho Marx sang,
against it! :eyes:

[chill_wind]

50. Rec.

Sanity thread.

[jasigirl33]

19. It is really that simple. But it has to be done in particular order.

Can't have all the soldiers coming home with no jobs. We need the returning soldiers to be signed up for and trained for infrastructure jobs and border patrol jobs paid for from the taxes on the rich.

[stray cat]

21. only simple if it can be accomplished

[WinkyDink]

25. JFK, shot. RFK, shot. LBJ, harried out. Carter, one-term. Gore, robbed.

Clinton, NAFTA and "welfare reform". Allowed to win, but with the Lewinsky scandal.

IOW: Fighting for fairness is a huge risk.

[yodermon]

85. you forgot MLK, John Lennon, JFK Jr, Paul Wellstone.

I'll tangentially add Reagan's assassination attempt (BFEE power grab).

Oh, yes, i have plenty of :tinfoilhat: to go around :)

[grahamhgreen]

48. We've taxed the rich before,

We can certainly do it again!

[Rageneau]

22. And legalize pot.

[WinkyDink]

23. End the wars = End the profits for the rich = Ain't gonna happen.

[grahamhgreen]

30. And can and will happen, it's only a matter of when.

[Serial Mom]

26. yes.... (n/t)

[FiveGoodMen]

31. Yes it is.

But until we do something about the propaganda networks (M$M, hate radio, and the Megachurches) none of that will get done.

[taught_me_patience]

33. Please explain how it is that "simple"

#1) Explain how taxes for the rich will close the budget gap
#2) Explain how externalities of ending wars affects the economy
#3) Explain the budget implications of medicare for all. Also, please explain the impact to the economy from medicare for all.


Nothing is that "simple".

[Doctor_J]

37. This OP was intended to garner rec's, not to say anything

kind of silly, but DU is a free speech zone, so...

[grahamhgreen]

41. See my response below,

sorry it took so long, but some of us actually work for a living!

[Cherchez la Femme]

79. Yeah, darn that free speech!

I didn't think it was possible, but you're ratcheting it up.
Congrats :sarcasm:

[grahamhgreen]

38. OK

#1) The President says that eliminating the Bush tax cut on the ultra rich (4% increase) will raise 700 billion in revenues in 10 years.

Which means a 40% increase on the top tax rate to a rate similar to the pre-Reagan rate of 79.6% would yield 7 trillion in 10 years.

A 58% increase to 94% would yield over 10 trillion dollars over the next 10 years.

That's 1T in new revenue per year.

The deficit is 1.3T. We would eliminate the deficit in less than 2 years.

Then we start paying down the debt.

#2) The total cost of the wars will be over 3 Trillion according to Stieglitz. The money would be better spent on building anything instead of destroying things which benefits no one. Instead of spending this money on war, we can spend it on rebuilding America, and

#3) Medicare for All.

There are many benefits to Medicare for All. For one, everyones liability insurance will go down, because medical expenses are always covered. My insurance in Australia for my car for one year in 1992 was $25 - including the registration!

[StarsInHerHair]

59. explain why you need those explanations, please

nt that's for "taught me patience"

[somone]

34. Yep

Very simple, really.

[leftstreet]

35. K&R

[Mimosa]

42. The Rich Own the Presidency and Congress

Look what our government does, not what they say.

[Enthusiast]

72. And the judiciary. nt

[mudplanet]

43. Wish I could recommend this more than once.

Need an exit strategy for Afghanistan and Iraq: Put down your guns, go the airport, get on the plane and go home.

[Enthusiast]

74. No, for God's sake!

Don't put down the guns. Bring them home or tax payers will only have to buy them again. Shit we've probably bought them three times already.

[arendt]

44. and Prosecute the Wall St. CRIMINALS n/t

[neverforget]

45. We know what to do but the politicians are in the pocket of big bidness

and their voice is louder than ours

[felix_numinous]

46. Power to the people.

[chill_wind]

49. And prosecute the war criminals and torture architects. n/t

[midnight]

51. It really is that simple.....

[Plucketeer]

52. Grayson/Kucinich in 2012 !!!

Change you'd BETTER believe in!



Boehner jobs plan

[Enthusiast]

75. Plus one!

The RW would probably assassinate them both.

[Moostache]

84. I would vote that ticket. (n/t)

[slay]

53. Agreed

k&r. :kick:

[DeSwiss]

54. K&R

- Me and Space Cadet concur with your thesis.....

We all know that massive cuts to defense spending could free up the funds to pay for universal healthcare across the board and actually lower taxes in the process.

We also know that by eliminating the CIA and Homeland Insecurity, we could provide the funds necessary to have improved education and less expensive education for colleges and universities.

We all know that by pledging the funds to alternative energy, we could wean ourselves off of oil once and for all while retaking the lead in advanced technologies.

We all know that ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq while simultaneously closing all of our imperial bases abroad would make the U.S. as well as the rest of the world a much safer place to live in.

We all know that by increasing corporate taxes and taxes on the wealthiest Americans, we could seriously tackle the problems of poverty and unemployment.

"But none of these issues are even mentioned by any of the candidates. No such visions are forthcoming simply because these are messages that corporate America don't permit corporate media to address. The end result is Americans being stuck with the current broken system while misdirecting their anger with the help of the mainstream media." ~ Space Cadet November 7th, 2010 2:24 pm http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/11/07-3

[Swamp Rat]

61. Cut military spending in half and END THE WARS NOW!!

And double taxes for the rich!!

[4dsc]

62. Find a progressive leader who will step up now

[nofurylike]

63. as the wealthiest remove every cent from this place, collapsing

it in a flash ... (edit to add: ... and/or WORSE!!!)

could you really possibly believe that the president doesn't know how well those would work IF THEY COULD *SIMPLY* BE DONE?

and yet, he IS still inching toward each of those you list, anyway. and brilliantly enough to block the OWNERS from further gaining sway!

[Cherchez la Femme]

81. He blocked the wealthy

even incrementally,
by giving them at least 2 more years of tax breaks?!

I guess that must be this 11-dimension chess I've been hearing about..

[nofurylike]

92. "from gaining further sway." yes, "even incrementally."

as opposed to the permanent tax breaks they were going to hold unemployment hostage to.

among many other gains traded for their two year extension.

and versus the unspeakable mayhem the owners threaten to release, and hold over our heads.

but then, some are privileged enough that they are sure they could survive whatever mayhem that would be.

[grahamhgreen]

87. I hope you are right, but to raise the taxes on the wealthy, he only had to to NOTHING,

and their taxes would have gone up, yet he was unable to accomplish even that!

[nofurylike]

89. and let the unemployed hit the freezing streets in january? they

held the unemployed, and everything else, hostage on that. and they intended to do it to the point of the tax breaks becoming permanent.
he was unable to do it while also winning time for the unemployed.

have you ever reached having absolutely, literally nothing, being evicted in deepest winter, having no food ... ?

[grahamhgreen]

90. Unemployment has never failed to pass as a stand alone issue - we controlled both houses. The guy

can't even DO NOTHING.

Except pass the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy - it's beyond pathetic.

[nofurylike]

91. no. the repukes had proven they would keep it from passing,

had already done so.

no, he could not have let it lapse. period.

don't bother replying. you have no intention of considering.

[Perfect Ten]

64. It really is, would you mind???

If I borrowed that slogan and pass it on everywhere I go?

[cate94]

65. K & R

[Frisbee]

66. Not ONLY end the wars, but CUT MILITARY SPENDING!

I'd like to see military spending cut by AT LEAST 50-70% over the next ten years, even though I know that will never happen.

[Capitalocracy]

67. Living wage!

Add a living wage to that list.

[grahamhgreen]

88. Yes! PS - did you know the minimum wage in Beijing was just raised 21%,

following a 20% rise 6 months ago, and has been going up by 10% yearly since 1994?

December 28 2010 12:47 - http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/30f7f9e0-1277-11e0-b4c8-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1AGyE7Anc

Beijing city is to raise its minimum wage 21 per cent next year, the second such rise in barely six months, amid rising inflationary pressure and growing concern over China’s widening wealth gap.

The increase, which will come into effect on New Year's day, raises the statutory minimum monthly wage in the Chinese capital to Rmb1,160 ($175) and the hourly rate to Rmb6.7. It follows a 20 per cent rise in June.

.........

The government is worried about the disproportionate burden of rising food costs on low-income households, which spend a larger share of their income on basic necessities. It also fears that persistent price rises could stoke social unrest, as they often have in the past.

“While China’s living standards have dramatically risen over the past 30 years, the gap between rich and poor has sharply widened,” Yu Yongding, an influential former adviser to China’s central bank, wrote in a newspaper article last week. “With the contrast between the opulent lifestyles of the rich and the slow improvement of basic living conditions for the poor fomenting social tension, a serious backlash is brewing.”

[Enthusiast]

68. K&R!

I'm with you!

[nradisic]

73. Bingo!

Very simple indeed...

[Octafish]

76. You sound like a Democrat.

What's the matter with you?

You like being in the majority?

[defendandprotect]

80. .. but Obama has done the OPPOSITE ... let's find a Democrat who will follow will of the people ..!

[Dokkie]

82. K&R

[Swamp Rat]

94. kick