Economy
The Progressive Challenge: Taking on Robber Baron Politics
This was delivered as the opening address to the Take Back the American Dream Summit in Washington, D.C., on June 18.
A Budget Narrative for Mitt Romney's America
It seems like just yesterday Mitt Romney released his 59-page "plan for jobs and economic growth." That's because it practically was just yesterday.
Winning In November AND December - The TBAD Conference Opens
This morning Robert Borosage, Melissa Harris-Perry and Van Jones opened the Take Back the American Dream conference, speaking at a plenary titled "Winning in November So We Can Win in December and Beyond." The opening session was focused on the need to both win the election so Republicans do not have the levers of power, AND re-energize a progressive movement that will make Democrats use
Back Bernie's Budget—Yes To Jobs, No To Austerity
As progressive leaders from around the country prepare for next week's Take Back the American Dream conference, we're not waiting to start hitting Congress with our key demand: Bury austerity, put jobs first and resurrect the middle class.
Real Jobs At Stake
I attended a blogger meeting with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to talk about Americans for Tax Fairness, a coalition that has formed to help win the coming fight over the expiring Bush tax cuts. As you remember, two years ago the Republicans held unemployment benefits hostage, demanding they be extended for 2 years.
A Pledge To 1% of America
It's almost a shame that Americans are paying very little attention to the GOP's "Pledge To America." But maybe that's because most of it has nothing to do with them. What is not mentioned in the document makes it clear that it doesn't speak to the urgent challenges Americans are facing. It doesn't "pledge" to address the mass suffering inflicted on millions of America by the current crisis, or what failing to do so will mean for generations of Americans, because it's not a pledge to most Americans. It's a pledge to 1 percent (or even less) of America.
The Jobs Babble
Everyone is talking jobs and saying nothing. The inadequate recovery is sputtering and no one is doing anything. In the war on unemployment, no one has picked up a gun. We’re going through the motions, waiting for the misery to ratchet up, the cities to blow, corporate profits to tank before anything is done.
Dammit Chris Matthews You Were Doing So Well Til You Said Simpson Bowles
At the June 18-20 Take Back the American Dream conference, we'll organize to stop Simpson-Bowles from passing Congress in the December "lame duck" session. Hear Robert L. Borosage, Van Jones and Melissa Harris-Perry on "Winning in November – So We Can Win in December and Beyond" and hear Rep.
Jobs It Is (Long Past) Time For Government To Act
Combine a too-optimistic administration with a Republican Party that is sabotaging the economy as a campaign strategy and what do you get? You get today's terrible jobs report. First, though, remember that the economy lost 818,000 jobs in the last month of the Bush presidency. The stimulus at least turned that around.
Jobs Report Proof Right-Wing Obstruction Is Choking Recovery
Today's unemployment report, reflecting an anemic increase of only 69,000 new jobs in May and an unemployment rate up to 8.2 percent, is the best evidence yet that conservative obstruction measures that would put Americans back to work is crippling the economy.
