"Extend the 2017 tax cuts for people—but not for corporations."
In my opinion as an economist, that is exactly backwards. Corporate tax reform was absolutely essential, and rolling it back would be disastrous. Before 2017, the US had the world's highest corporate tax rate, and corporations were beginning to relocate out of the US. More important, the US corporate tax system was out of harmony with the rest of the world, resulting in anomalies where some corporations were double-taxed while others escaped the corporate tax entirely. We can't go back.
The personal income tax cuts, meanwhile, were not even part of Paul Ryan's original plan. He was forced to add them as a sweetener to push the bill over the line. They served no purpose other than political pandering, and they are adding to the deficit with no offsetting benefit. Harris could sell this as old-fashioned fiscal responsibility - the very sort of thing that has been set aside by the last four presidents, and the sort of thing that the country needs to move on from.
Sending this JVL post to lots of people today while the excitement & optimism are high. i.e. before the Republican propaganda machine cranks into high gear and gets us back into that place of fearful despair where they like to keep us.
Nothing like a near-death experience to focus the mind. After such painful purgatory, I predict the dems will now mount the most exciting, well funded whizz-bang of a campaign we've ever seen. Because as Joe said, "We're the United States of America. And there's nothing we can't do when we stand and work together." I can hear his words in my head. This is what's coming.
Let's hope, because I have to say, having to depend on the Democrats to rescue my country has been a very white-knuckle experience. They need to get their shit together and focus. A Kamala needs to understand that her mandate is to beat Trump, and focus on that. If she plays her cards right and doesn't get to fancy she will be the first Female President of the United States of America. Be vague on your policies but direct on your attacks on Trump and the Republicans. They are old and busted you are the new hotness.
Donald Trump cannot be allowed to continue his delusional lies without any push back.
Former President Donald J. Trump, in an interview with Fox News Digital, repeated his claim that President Biden was “the worst president in the history of our country” and questioned his status as commander in chief. “Who is going to be running the country for the next five months?” he said.
This is not a claim, this is a lie. Why cannot a lie just be called a lie.
This claim is obvious untrue and pure unadulterated BS. If Joe Biden had said anything as remotely delusional then by all means pounce. We can no longer allow Trump to get away with lies. Go Kamala. Defeat MAGA.
Yep! I would argue that a former prosecutor/AG is the perfect person to take on Trump. A prosecutor's claws come out when they get anywhere near a lying criminal; it is instinct.
I want the Republicans to understand there are a lot of Democrats out here, and I want the Democrats to understand that we do not need to compress an entire primary season into a few weeks.
I am very relieved of the news of Biden's stepping aside. W.R.T. to Harris (should she be the nominee, go Harris!); however, I have but one question: "She has no foreign policy experience and right now that seems awfully important. How does she overcome that deficit?"
She has been the rep at the Munich Conference for a few years I believe. In the Senate I think she was on Intel cmtee so it's a smidge better than electing a governor.
I read somewhere (probably The Atlantic) that the part of her job Kamala liked best was getting out of Washington and giving foreign policy talks around the country. It could actually be one of her strengths, but it will be hard to know until she reveals her platform.
I think being VP for years has given her a front seat, literally, at all policy discussion and decisions. She’s traveled to numerous European countries, Africa, Central America, Korea, Japan, others I’ve probably missed.
You called it buddy -- you are the one who said that Joe Biden was too decent a man and too strong a patriot to not step aside and to pass the baton to a stronger candidate in this crucial election. You endured undeserved barbs from others for offering your best analysis and speaking the truth as you saw it. Good Job ! I can only hope (and support) a stronger campaign from the likely Harris nomination than the one we witnessed back in the devastating campaign of 2016.
Brilliant analysis: run as an insurgent rather than as an incumbent
One quibble: Get rid of the tax cuts for both corporations AND for multibazillinaires..
Is it bonkers to think Jason Kander would be a good VP pick?
Happy to reread this. JVL, you're doing great work. Thank you.
Bravo, JVL!!
yes, yes and yes. I think it’s acknowledging a generational change too.
"Extend the 2017 tax cuts for people—but not for corporations."
In my opinion as an economist, that is exactly backwards. Corporate tax reform was absolutely essential, and rolling it back would be disastrous. Before 2017, the US had the world's highest corporate tax rate, and corporations were beginning to relocate out of the US. More important, the US corporate tax system was out of harmony with the rest of the world, resulting in anomalies where some corporations were double-taxed while others escaped the corporate tax entirely. We can't go back.
The personal income tax cuts, meanwhile, were not even part of Paul Ryan's original plan. He was forced to add them as a sweetener to push the bill over the line. They served no purpose other than political pandering, and they are adding to the deficit with no offsetting benefit. Harris could sell this as old-fashioned fiscal responsibility - the very sort of thing that has been set aside by the last four presidents, and the sort of thing that the country needs to move on from.
Sending this JVL post to lots of people today while the excitement & optimism are high. i.e. before the Republican propaganda machine cranks into high gear and gets us back into that place of fearful despair where they like to keep us.
Nothing like a near-death experience to focus the mind. After such painful purgatory, I predict the dems will now mount the most exciting, well funded whizz-bang of a campaign we've ever seen. Because as Joe said, "We're the United States of America. And there's nothing we can't do when we stand and work together." I can hear his words in my head. This is what's coming.
Let's hope, because I have to say, having to depend on the Democrats to rescue my country has been a very white-knuckle experience. They need to get their shit together and focus. A Kamala needs to understand that her mandate is to beat Trump, and focus on that. If she plays her cards right and doesn't get to fancy she will be the first Female President of the United States of America. Be vague on your policies but direct on your attacks on Trump and the Republicans. They are old and busted you are the new hotness.
Chuckle! Love your post, especially the last line!
The Future is Now. Perfect.
Donald Trump cannot be allowed to continue his delusional lies without any push back.
Former President Donald J. Trump, in an interview with Fox News Digital, repeated his claim that President Biden was “the worst president in the history of our country” and questioned his status as commander in chief. “Who is going to be running the country for the next five months?” he said.
This is not a claim, this is a lie. Why cannot a lie just be called a lie.
This claim is obvious untrue and pure unadulterated BS. If Joe Biden had said anything as remotely delusional then by all means pounce. We can no longer allow Trump to get away with lies. Go Kamala. Defeat MAGA.
Yep! I would argue that a former prosecutor/AG is the perfect person to take on Trump. A prosecutor's claws come out when they get anywhere near a lying criminal; it is instinct.
"The Future is Now!" is an excellent campaign slogan. It's forward looking as opposed to the backward looking recidivist MAGA slogan.
"Recidivism": habitual, unrepentant criminal behavior. Check.
Harris-Buttigieg
The Future is Now!
Donate to the Democrats and show them we are behind Kamala.
Claire McCaskill on MSNBC right now predicting record fundraising in the next 3 days. Let’s help make that happen!
I donated to Biden/Harris before I typed that comment. My understanding is that Harris is the only candidate who can easily use those funds.
I want the Republicans to understand there are a lot of Democrats out here, and I want the Democrats to understand that we do not need to compress an entire primary season into a few weeks.
Me, my brother, my mom, my daughter…we are all jubilant and the first thing we did was donated to the DNC!!
I am very relieved of the news of Biden's stepping aside. W.R.T. to Harris (should she be the nominee, go Harris!); however, I have but one question: "She has no foreign policy experience and right now that seems awfully important. How does she overcome that deficit?"
She has been the rep at the Munich Conference for a few years I believe. In the Senate I think she was on Intel cmtee so it's a smidge better than electing a governor.
I read somewhere (probably The Atlantic) that the part of her job Kamala liked best was getting out of Washington and giving foreign policy talks around the country. It could actually be one of her strengths, but it will be hard to know until she reveals her platform.
I think being VP for years has given her a front seat, literally, at all policy discussion and decisions. She’s traveled to numerous European countries, Africa, Central America, Korea, Japan, others I’ve probably missed.
Spot on, JVL! Can’t wait to hear the Bulwark crew tomorrow!
Kudos JVL !
You called it buddy -- you are the one who said that Joe Biden was too decent a man and too strong a patriot to not step aside and to pass the baton to a stronger candidate in this crucial election. You endured undeserved barbs from others for offering your best analysis and speaking the truth as you saw it. Good Job ! I can only hope (and support) a stronger campaign from the likely Harris nomination than the one we witnessed back in the devastating campaign of 2016.