Several days ago I was hanging out with Batgirl (the nom de blog I am giving a friend of mine, who I have enjoyed chatting with and shaking our heads commisseratively as we witness the spectacle that is Howard F'n County-- actually, fair to say, I didn't give her the name, she TOOK it). Among other things we talk about, we discuss recent political history on all levels. Our most recent conversation touched upon the lack of the Obama Administration's ability to connect wioth average Americans-- to communicate with average Americans how their initiatives affect THEM. I brought up the contrast with Bill Clinton, who was a master at doing such.
Having worked on the Clinton campaign from it's beginning stages in 1991-- including working security at his three "Georgetown speeches" in which he outlined his campaign-- I can remember well the themes of opportunity, responsibility, and community that underscored his campaign. I remembered his first campaign brochure, entitled, "Working for the Forgotten Middle Class". I remembered his asking people my age, and a little older, if they were working longer and harder but still barely making ends meet, if they thought the American Dream was slipping away, and if they felt the American Dream was still achievable for their families? I remember those questions striking a chord-- a chord that would resonate all the way to eight years in the White House.
Today, 20 years later, many of the same conditions persist. Middle class Americans are working longer and harder, but not getting ahead. It's getting harder to move up in one's career, or to switch careers. It's getting harder to start a small business. And middle class Americans are fearing that the American Dream is escaping them, and may not be possible for their children.
Someone needs to speak to this. Honestly, I don't see anyone in the Republican field speaking to these concerns. All I see there are retreads of 80s or 00s fiscal policy. And Obama hasn't articulated much in the way of policy innovation as it pertains to tax policy. Yes, there has been the stimulus and the health care plan, but people need the psychological benefit of seeing more money in their take-home pay, or seeing larger tax refunds come in the spring.
I'm not saying someone should run against President Obama in the Democratic primary, but I AM saying that someone earnest, dynamic and articulate who can stay on a message of "fighting for the forgotten middle class" could do well in a Democratic primary. As to some ideas, I have a few:
1. Let the Bush tax cuts expire. Obama's been faulty in having them continue.
2. Phase out the mortgage interest deduction. This is a deduction a lot of homeowners-- including me-- benefit from. But with interest rates so low and with mortgage lending still very slushy, keeping this deduction doesn't make sense. So do away with it.
3. Make medical care cost deductions available to all-- even those who choose to take the standard deduction. One hundred percent of all medical expenses should be tax deductible. Keep the current regulations on what qualifies as acceptable "out of pocket" costs.
4. Reduce the amount of standard deductions-- I'd say by half at least-- to encourage more taxpayers to use deductions.
5. Roll back the more recent restrictions on charitable deduction record keeping in an effort to encourage taxpayers to 1) donate and 2) record keep same for tax purposes.
In addition, someone has to speak to breaking the back of the cycle by which we borrow from China to buy oil from Saudi Arabia. Green technology can and should be the new tech boom, but so far I don't get the sense that it's connecting on the consumer level. To help achieve this connection, those who choose to purchase or lease solar power should receive a 2-for-1 dollar tax credit. So a $10,000 purchase or lease equals a $20,000 credit, amortized over 5 years. Give similar 2-for-1 credits to purchasers of hybrid or electric vehicles-- not based on the full cost of the vehicle, but a lesser figure. And extend similar incentives to small businesses who become greener as well.
These are just a few ideas as to how we could truly turn into an innovation society again. I have many more, but if nominated, I will not run, and if elected, I will not serve. (That's actually BS; of course I would do both!)
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