The “BS” Austerity Plan Nobody Wants--And We May Get Anyway

[eridani]

http://www.nationofchange.org/bs-austerity-plan-nobody-wants-and-we-may-get-anyway-1351777042

Poll after poll has shown that the public rejects the millionaire-oriented, tax-cutting, government-slashing austerity plan known as “Simpson Bowles.” And yet politicians in both parties keep trying to force it through the legislative process under the banner of a “Grand Bargain.” Word is they're going to try again, either during the lame-duck session or when the new Congress convenes in January.

That plan was originally called “Bowles Simpson,” but its well-financed architects soon ran afoul of the “BS” acronym. But “BS” can stand for something else, too: “bait and switch.” That's exactly what they'll be doing if politicians force a “BS” austerity plan on the public after the votes have been counted.

For years voters didn't even consider the deficit a very important issue. They correctly considered job creation a much higher priority. Now, after years of media hype, some (though by no means all) of the polls say that this issue is a topconcern for voters. But voters don't want any cuts in specific programs - exceptdefense.

That's always an invitation for politicians and pundits to sneer at the ignorance and illogic of the electorate. But economic analysis supports the voters, not the insiders, on this one. It makes a lot more sense to raise taxes on the wealthy now, invest in jobs and growth, and pivot to deficit concerns once the economy's growing at a healthy clip.

[Democratopia]

1. Could not agree more.

Gordon Brown was actually kicked out as British Prime Minister, largely because the opposing party said you cannot spend your way out of a recession, which was Brown's policy and he was trying to encourage the rest of Europe to do the same. The Conservatives came into power on the basis of the debt being the biggest problem, not the recession. The British austerity measures ensured Britain went into a double-dip recession. The Republicans would do the same and would kill the recovery.

[riverbendviewgal]

2. i am watching Iceland and France and Ireland

Iceland put their corrupt bankers in jail.
France is taxing their rich Much higher rates than before.
Ireland is talking about nationalizing their banks.
It will be interesting to see how they work out.


Austerity won't work in USA. I think new infrastructure building will give americans good jobs. The economy can only improve. There is no choice. It is cheap now for the government to borrow from itself. It would be the patriotic thing to buy bonds to invest in your own country.

[fasttense]

6. Austerity doesn't seem to be working anywhere.

At least it's NOT working to improve the economy. Perhaps it is working to increase the wealth of the already wealthy. But it seems to be the kiss of death for any nation's economy. And yet it keeps being implemented. Someone must be reaping benefits from the austerity trip.

[msongs]

3. cowardly democrats bend over to republicans again and again nt

[jtuck004]

5. If the people won't get up out of their lazy boys perhaps they prefer living

under the roof of Mr. Charlie.

Reading the history from the 10'2 and 20's, the organizers and the people put a tremendous amount of pressure on the pols to get what they did.

I just don't see it today, and I can't imagine why anyone thinks a person would become populist after they kept their office because of the donations of very, very wealthy people.

The only way they will ever stand up is if we are pushing them from the back and holding them there...while some of our brothers and sisters try to pull us off of them

[Teamster Jeff]

4. It's going to be very interesting after the election n/t