It would be wrong to call the guys and girls who set Democratic Party election themes “brain-dead.” A more accurate description would “sloth-brained.” They devise just the right policies, but a year or two (or more) after the same themes would have been far more effective. Like those generals who are always brilliantly fighting the last war.
Consider taxes. A huge issue this year. Today there’s a vote in the Senate on a Democratic initiative guaranteed to be blocked by Republicans — if not in that chamber, than in the House of Representatives. This initiative would extend the Bush-era tax breaks for the 98 percent of the working population that earns less than $250,000 a year, but not on income above that figure.
This was a very popular idea when the Democrats caved on the same issue awhile back because the Tea Party Republicans said they had to. Now, well after they should have stood up for it, they are finally getting around to making it their big play. And the Republicans, of course, are saying (with some justification it ought be noted) that with the economy sinking again, this is a bad time to increase any taxes.
So how might a well-wired rather than a sloth-wired brain respond to this changed reality? You know. To get ahead of the curve instead of doing a perpetual catch-up. Well, Democrats could agree with Republicans. Say yes, we can’t increase taxes now. Rather, let’s just increase taxes substantially for the top tier of earners, and pass the money this generates along to the other 98 percent in the form of even lower taxes than the Bush-era cuts.
But wait, you say. Such a tax shift would raise the class warfare rage level of Limbaugh ranters. True, but since pretty much everything else does, what’s the difference?
But wait again, you say. If we simple shift income taxes this way, there won’t be new money that can be applied toward reducing government deficits. True again, but that would also be true if we extended all the Bush-era tax cuts.
Again, wait. Aren’t the top earners job creators as the Republicans constantly remind us? And wouldn’t taxing them mean more job losses? This rap continues to get traction only because the sloth-brained Democratic brain trust lets it continue to get traction. A series of TV ads based on the “who are the real job creators” theme, one that explains in simple terms that the country’s richest are using their cash to buy properties in France and investing in hedge funds that aim to destroy Europe’s economy generally, while more cash in middle cash pockets increases spending power that really creates jobs.
Is this true? Kind of. As true, in any case, as anything else you’ll see in such campaign ads this year. And probably quite effective. But given the ways of a sloth-brained party, predictable fodder for the 2016 Democrat campaign.
Democrats could also push for a transaction tax on Wall Street traders and use the money raised to reduce the Social Security contributions of small businesses with less than 100 employees. You know. Voters don’t like Wall Street. Small business is the campaign season’s new love child. An obvious pitch? Sure. Sloth-brained Democrats will doubtless have this down pat by 2016.
If you sit down at a poker table and can’t identify the fish, the inevitable loser, after five minutes, you’re the fish. Anyone who can’t identify the sloth-brained outfit in this election cycle is destined to be surprised by the election’s outcome.
Don’t be. And don’t bet the sloth pack will be replaced any time soon. There ain’t no sloth from these brains when it comes to making excuses for their failures.