Sometimes the best way to get somewhere is not straightforward. We say we need more unity and less divide. But I’d argue that we don’t need to all agree to the same policies. We need more balance of power. Today that requires hearing the voices of the non-elite side of the divide, and that’s what both Bari and Batya offer in this discuss…
Sometimes the best way to get somewhere is not straightforward. We say we need more unity and less divide. But I’d argue that we don’t need to all agree to the same policies. We need more balance of power. Today that requires hearing the voices of the non-elite side of the divide, and that’s what both Bari and Batya offer in this discussion.
When GDP was growing exponentially and profit margins were high, Republicans protected the wealthy and Democrats balanced power by pressuring the wealthy to give back, either voluntarily or through taxes. Balanced policy slowly swung the pendulum back and forth, keeping the energy in the middle, growing the middle class faster than either the really wealthy or very poor.
When GDP growth slowed and profit margins thinned, Democrats began helping the wealthy increase profits with outsourcing. This has completely thrown the policy pendulum off balance. The rich have grown exponentially more rich, the poor exponentially more poor, the middle class are disappearing.
If there’s a benefit to a two party system, it is when each side balances for the other. Neither party is providing that, as evidenced by the wisdom of the crowds: the minority, 40% of eligible voters, are registered with Democrats or Republicans, the majority, 60%, are either registered independent, 30%, or not registered at all, 30%.
Sometimes the best way to get somewhere is not straightforward. We say we need more unity and less divide. But I’d argue that we don’t need to all agree to the same policies. We need more balance of power. Today that requires hearing the voices of the non-elite side of the divide, and that’s what both Bari and Batya offer in this discussion.
When GDP was growing exponentially and profit margins were high, Republicans protected the wealthy and Democrats balanced power by pressuring the wealthy to give back, either voluntarily or through taxes. Balanced policy slowly swung the pendulum back and forth, keeping the energy in the middle, growing the middle class faster than either the really wealthy or very poor.
When GDP growth slowed and profit margins thinned, Democrats began helping the wealthy increase profits with outsourcing. This has completely thrown the policy pendulum off balance. The rich have grown exponentially more rich, the poor exponentially more poor, the middle class are disappearing.
If there’s a benefit to a two party system, it is when each side balances for the other. Neither party is providing that, as evidenced by the wisdom of the crowds: the minority, 40% of eligible voters, are registered with Democrats or Republicans, the majority, 60%, are either registered independent, 30%, or not registered at all, 30%.