Pundits need to stop saying the economy is good. Some economic indicators are pretty good. But many of those indicators have nothing to do with the lives of real Americans. The stock market is irrelevant to most. Job numbers don't indicate those who are out of workforce.
Job numbers also do not reflect the quality of the jobs that are out there. Inequality is still at record and indefensible levels. The tax cut benefited companies and the rich. Cities are still struggling. Infrastructure is crumbling.
In fact, the whole Trump campaign is based on capitalizing on the alienation of those who are struggling, on the majority in the country who have less than $500 in the bank and who would be bankrupted by a moderate hospital stay.
He stokes a fear of immigrants that is based in part on economic insecurity. His tariffs are based on the sense many have that the US is losing ground, being ripped off. In fact, the "Make America Great Again" slogan turns on people's sense of their own anxeities.
Further of course, what is strong in the economy has been strong for a while. People don't sense things are getting better for them, that they are changing. (Obama's economic gains also primarily served the rich. As did Bush's and Clinton's and Bush 41's and Reagan's.)
In 2020, this will be the central campaign issue. Not top line numbers. Not prosperity for the few or measures of economic healthy that are abstract and remote for most Americans. They want inequality addressed. They want to know where better jobs are.
They want to see their salaries rise. They want to know they will be secure in retirement. They won't to know illness won't bankrupt them or their families. They want to know the poorest and people of color and women will do equally as well as white men.
They want access to education. They want infrastructure that will help attract investment in the economy of the future. They don't need more slogans. They need people who understand them. There are two parties in America: the party of Wall Street and the party of Main Street.
On Tuesday, we can start the road back to having a government that serves the majority of us, that serves Americans everywhere, that is about opportunity and inclusion. Controlling Trump is one thing. And it's important.
But the work the people need done has been neglected for too long It is time to stop trying to turn the clock back or find scapegoats and it is time to start finding a formula for an America that works for everyone who works for America.
Vote. Vote for Democrats. Vote for change.
Vote. Vote for Democrats. Vote for change.
