| It's also Blue and Orange.
In an editorial today, The San Diego Union Tribune takes issue with John Edwards for being willing to consider an "excess-profits, excess-income tax." The editorial complains of Edwards "hawking class warfare" and complains that a rich person has no business being concerned about class issues. In closing, it does us all the service of "call[ing] this toxic idea by its proper name. It's a tax on performance. It's a way to punish the high-achievers in our economy in the hopes that we might be able to discourage them from trying so hard and achieving so much."
I'll refute this nonsense on the flip, but first the kicker:
The good news is that at least one of Edwards' competitors, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, had the good sense to shoot down the idea, promote himself as a taxpayer, and chide Democrats for proposing taxes as the solution to every societal problem - and non-problem. |
| Let's clear out the low-hanging fruit right out of the gate. This narrative of the self-loathing rich man who hates success is absurd. It sets up John Edwards as ineligible to be concerned about the poor because he isn't poor, noting his large house and his haircuts (we of course don't have actual policy to discuss, natch). Continuing to channel some bizarro, bastardized spirit of Horatio Alger, the UT suggests that, since increased taxes on increased success is a stand against ambition, taxes are inherently some sort of penalty for success. One wonders whether the opposite is true, and the editorial page would drool over a proposal to impose an extra tax on poor people for not trying hard enough to be rich and successful. Hey, if Carnegie can make it, then why can't you (Except for that philanthropy part. Social responsibility is for Stalinists)? Don't tread on my bootstraps John; I need to lift myself up by them or else.
What's particularly distressing here though is that the editorial can get away with all this crap without even once referring to any Republican politician, idea, proposal, or existing policy. Why? Because Bill Richardson provides all the cover needed to paint John Edwards as some sort of nefarious enemy of the American Dream.
In short, Bill Richardson is killin us on taxes. It would be one thing if Bill Richardson simply had a different outlook on how to spur economic growth. We could talk about that. But he's painting the rest of the Democratic field as traditional tax and spend liberals and, in the process, serving up ammunition on a silver platter for Republicans who have absolutely no other substance to bring to the debate. This has been a particularly frustrating burr in the sides of bloggers for a while now, and here's still more evidence of the damage done by the perpetuation of these right-wing talking points. Letting the right jump up and down screaming "See! Even other Democrats know Democrats are wrong!" is anathema to party building and every aspect of progress that the Democratic Party has been pursuing over the past several years. And so Bill Richardson, please, take a few notes to heart.
First, particularly for California Democrats, you do NOT want to do the opposition work on behalf of Republicans. We've been through this, and all it got us was four more years of Schwarzenegger. Do you want to be a part of that? No, you do not.
Second, tax-and-spend is a Republican talking point that is ridiculous on its face and shouldn't be a part of your world for two broad reasons: One, the Republican alternative, which you're giving credence to, is spend without taxing and that's bad. Two, you are going to spend the taxes you collect, so you tax and spend as well. To suggest this is bad, well...convince me why I want to pay taxes that do nothing and we can talk.
Third, this is a party-and-infrastructure election. You're going to be talking about Iraq and alternative energy and universal health care and immigration, but all of these issues have to be addressed through the prism of engaging people in politics. The people you're talking to about these issues are people who are extra-ordinarily excited about politics right now and we want to keep them involved. Ripping down your fellow Democrats does not accomplish this and leaves a bad taste in the mouths of many who are trying to do something lasting in and with this party.
By all means, compete in the primary and make your case for being the best Democrat in the field. Talk about how you have a different view when it comes to how best to inspire economic growth that suits the 21st century. But for the love of all things good in the world, do not do it by saying of your fellow Democratic candidates "See? The Republicans were right about you." If you do this, you will lose. And I can pretty much guarantee that I'm right about that. |
