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"Just remember," writes economist Robert Reich, "the 'center' is not halfway between what most Americans want and what big corporations, Wall Street, and the super-wealthy want. The 'center' is what the vast majority of Americans want." (Image: Inequality Media)
Surprise! The "Center" in US Politics Is Very Progressive
If the mainstream is what "most people want," than the mainstream is very progressive indeed
Jun 22, 2019
Donald Trump, Fox News, and Republicans in Congress label proposals they disagree with "fringe," "radical," or "socialist." Well, let's see where the American people actually stand:
On the economy,76 percent of Americans favor higher taxes on the super-rich, including over half of registered Republicans. Over 60 percent favor a wealth tax on fortunes of $50 million or more. Even Fox News polls confirm these trends.
"As these proposals become even more popular, the powerful are going to intensify their attacks."
What about health care? Well, 70 percent want Medicare for All, which most define as Medicare for anyone who wants it. Sixty percent of Republicans support allowing anyone under 65 to buy into Medicare.
Ninety-two percent want lower prescription drug prices. Over 70 percent think we should be able to buy drugs imported from Canada.
On family issues, more than 80 percent of Americans want paid maternity leave. Seventy-nine percent of voters want more affordable child care, including 80 percent of Republicans.
Meanwhile, 60 percent of Americans support free college tuition for those who meet income requirements.
Sixty-two percent think climate change is man-made and needs addressing.
Eighty-four percent think money has too much influence in politics. In that poll, 77 percent support limits on campaign spending, and that includes 71 percent of Republicans.
I could go on.
So why do the powerful call these policy ideas "fringe," or "radical," or "socialist"?
Money. Many of these initiatives would cost them--requiring either higher taxes on the rich (many could be achieved by repealing the giant Trump tax cut for the wealthy and corporations)--or regulations that might cut into their corporate profits.
So you can bet that as these proposals become even more popular, the powerful are going to intensify their attacks.
But just remember: the "center" is not halfway between what most Americans want and what big corporations, Wall Street, and the super-wealthy want.
The "center" is what the vast majority of Americans want.
An Urgent Message From Our Co-Founder
Dear Common Dreams reader, It’s been nearly 30 years since I co-founded Common Dreams with my late wife, Lina Newhouser. We had the radical notion that journalism should serve the public good, not corporate profits. It was clear to us from the outset what it would take to build such a project. No paid advertisements. No corporate sponsors. No millionaire publisher telling us what to think or do. Many people said we wouldn't last a year, but we proved those doubters wrong. Together with a tremendous team of journalists and dedicated staff, we built an independent media outlet free from the constraints of profits and corporate control. Our mission has always been simple: To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. Building Common Dreams was not easy. Our survival was never guaranteed. When you take on the most powerful forces—Wall Street greed, fossil fuel industry destruction, Big Tech lobbyists, and uber-rich oligarchs who have spent billions upon billions rigging the economy and democracy in their favor—the only bulwark you have is supporters who believe in your work. But here’s the urgent message from me today. It's never been this bad out there. And it's never been this hard to keep us going. At the very moment Common Dreams is most needed, the threats we face are intensifying. We need your support now more than ever. We don't accept corporate advertising and never will. We don't have a paywall because we don't think people should be blocked from critical news based on their ability to pay. Everything we do is funded by the donations of readers like you. When everyone does the little they can afford, we are strong. But if that support retreats or dries up, so do we. Will you donate now to make sure Common Dreams not only survives but thrives? —Craig Brown, Co-founder |
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Robert Reich
Robert Reich is professor emeritus of public policy at Berkeley and former US secretary of labor. His latest book is the No. 1 New York Times best-seller, "Coming Up Short."
Donald Trump, Fox News, and Republicans in Congress label proposals they disagree with "fringe," "radical," or "socialist." Well, let's see where the American people actually stand:
On the economy,76 percent of Americans favor higher taxes on the super-rich, including over half of registered Republicans. Over 60 percent favor a wealth tax on fortunes of $50 million or more. Even Fox News polls confirm these trends.
"As these proposals become even more popular, the powerful are going to intensify their attacks."
What about health care? Well, 70 percent want Medicare for All, which most define as Medicare for anyone who wants it. Sixty percent of Republicans support allowing anyone under 65 to buy into Medicare.
Ninety-two percent want lower prescription drug prices. Over 70 percent think we should be able to buy drugs imported from Canada.
On family issues, more than 80 percent of Americans want paid maternity leave. Seventy-nine percent of voters want more affordable child care, including 80 percent of Republicans.
Meanwhile, 60 percent of Americans support free college tuition for those who meet income requirements.
Sixty-two percent think climate change is man-made and needs addressing.
Eighty-four percent think money has too much influence in politics. In that poll, 77 percent support limits on campaign spending, and that includes 71 percent of Republicans.
I could go on.
So why do the powerful call these policy ideas "fringe," or "radical," or "socialist"?
Money. Many of these initiatives would cost them--requiring either higher taxes on the rich (many could be achieved by repealing the giant Trump tax cut for the wealthy and corporations)--or regulations that might cut into their corporate profits.
So you can bet that as these proposals become even more popular, the powerful are going to intensify their attacks.
But just remember: the "center" is not halfway between what most Americans want and what big corporations, Wall Street, and the super-wealthy want.
The "center" is what the vast majority of Americans want.
Robert Reich
Robert Reich is professor emeritus of public policy at Berkeley and former US secretary of labor. His latest book is the No. 1 New York Times best-seller, "Coming Up Short."
Donald Trump, Fox News, and Republicans in Congress label proposals they disagree with "fringe," "radical," or "socialist." Well, let's see where the American people actually stand:
On the economy,76 percent of Americans favor higher taxes on the super-rich, including over half of registered Republicans. Over 60 percent favor a wealth tax on fortunes of $50 million or more. Even Fox News polls confirm these trends.
"As these proposals become even more popular, the powerful are going to intensify their attacks."
What about health care? Well, 70 percent want Medicare for All, which most define as Medicare for anyone who wants it. Sixty percent of Republicans support allowing anyone under 65 to buy into Medicare.
Ninety-two percent want lower prescription drug prices. Over 70 percent think we should be able to buy drugs imported from Canada.
On family issues, more than 80 percent of Americans want paid maternity leave. Seventy-nine percent of voters want more affordable child care, including 80 percent of Republicans.
Meanwhile, 60 percent of Americans support free college tuition for those who meet income requirements.
Sixty-two percent think climate change is man-made and needs addressing.
Eighty-four percent think money has too much influence in politics. In that poll, 77 percent support limits on campaign spending, and that includes 71 percent of Republicans.
I could go on.
So why do the powerful call these policy ideas "fringe," or "radical," or "socialist"?
Money. Many of these initiatives would cost them--requiring either higher taxes on the rich (many could be achieved by repealing the giant Trump tax cut for the wealthy and corporations)--or regulations that might cut into their corporate profits.
So you can bet that as these proposals become even more popular, the powerful are going to intensify their attacks.
But just remember: the "center" is not halfway between what most Americans want and what big corporations, Wall Street, and the super-wealthy want.
The "center" is what the vast majority of Americans want.
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