Two charts went into circulation this past week and both tell the tale of how American workers have been left behind as a matter of policy for decades. The first two charts make it really clear that while workers wages have been relatively flat for decades, corporate profits have taken off. That is because — as a matter of policy — governments have actively sided with corporations in suppressing wages. Between corporate tax cuts, artificially low minimum wages, the undermining of unions and other anti-worker actions workers are mainly no longer in a position to participate in all of the productivity they produce.
Take a look:
Then there’s this from the FT:
Watch the income distribution in America change #ASA18 pic.twitter.com/MR4RpToBpr
— Conrad Hackett (@conradhackett) August 10, 2018
Which shows that the sense that some middle class Americans have that they are no longer middle class OR that they are working much harder to stay middle class is true. And this is government policy too.
Huge majorities of Americans rightly see the tax cuts as a scam. Most saw little benefit and when April 15 rolls around next year, many will find themselves owing the IRS for the first time.
So my fellow Democrats — here are the visual aids you have been waiting for. Let’s talk about this AND talk about specific policy that makes sure that working and middle class people get a fair shake in this economy.
“Supply Side” tax cuts for the rich are the longest lasting political scam in history, the most successful scheme in perhaps all of history. As for the American people well…… We remain a collection of fools, suckers and self defeating losers. We let it happen, some of us cheered it on and still do. I’d like to think this is the end of the game, but I know the Republicans will be back and try to do it again if we let them. Once again we have met the enemy, and it is us.
See: Kansas
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