Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D) plays out a 3/4 leftist position - to balance the ultra-right gridlock.
Finally something like playing out the cards in the negotiations. And doing so publicly. Senator Kent Conrad (Senate Budget Committee) is about to propose an even split between tax hikes and less spending – to fix the economy. A moderate centrist outcome would probably be 70 spending cuts – 30 tax hikes, but as long as one side says 100-0, no matter what, the other side should start at just about 50-50.
If the deal then ends at 80 cuts and 20 hikes, it’s probably right about where a slightly center-right US should belong.
And if only the rest of the democrats could play along as professionals – and don’t be so afraid – they should fully support the 50-50 split for the next few weeks, and then scale back. If the polls hurt in the meantime, they will get even better afterwards. People love protesting and then be heard, feeling included in the process and getting a sense of moderation in outcome after tasting the extremes.
So no more begging for acceptance and approval – a clearly liberal and leftist position has been taken – with an even split. As 80% of the people support tax hikes on the wealthy, and many big US companies pay zero in corporate taxes, this is a good and fair step forward.
mac, Dog is telling me he can’t seem to comment on this new page? Seems to be working for me . . .