Lieberman, Kucinich split on economy

[Khephra]

snip.....................

At a Des Moines union hall, U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio called for a commitment to a “full employment economy,” saying he would launch a $50 billion federal loan program to put Americans to work rebuilding government infrastructure, as well as canceling foreign trade agreements with an eye toward revitalizing the nation’s manufacturing industries.

“We have to see unemployment as a great threat to the stability of this country,” he told about a dozen people who had waited an hour after the congressman’s flight from Chicago was delayed.
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Earlier, in nearby Indianola, U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut told a gathering of two dozen Democrats he would use tax credits to spark business expansion while also keeping some tax cuts favored by President Bush that benefit middle-class workers.

snip..............

“This is all about who do you trust,” he told reporters after speaking at the home of a state lawmaker. “I’m a straight talker. I’m not a screamer, but I feel very passionately about whether people have jobs or not.”

more......................

http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1015997&t=Iowa+%2F+Illinois&c=24,1015997

[BayCityProgressive]

1. Actually

I agree that the middle class should keep their tax cut. Trying to take those back would be a disaster in my opnion and the right wing media would pounce. I say let the middle class keep theirs and take the tax cuts for the rich back and use that money to invest in jobs. I personally would like all the tax cut revoked but I just don't think it would play out well. Pick your battles.

[ScotTissue]

3. No, a disaster would be....

No, a disaster would be Kucinich's ill-conceived full-employment strategy. That would take necessary flexibility out of the economy. Also, it's hard to look at unemployment as a national security issue when it's hovering at six percent--higher than under Bill Clinton, but low historically and low compared to other nations.

[StandWatie]

5. what the hell does "necessary flexibility" mean?

Does this have anything to do with hanging the prospect of homelessness out there at all times to keep the labor market cheap or do I not have the right idea?

[headlouse]

6. the unemployment figures paint a false picture

we need to develop a real unemployment report that covers the people that are no longer receiving unemployment insurance. We also need to create a subemployment report that covers the number of people that are not making enough to make ends meet or those that are overworking.

This would paint a real picture of our economy and show how in need we are for a living wage.

[study_war_no_more]

9. A flexable? hemoragging job market

If you hadn't noticed NAFTA has left the job market like quadriple amputee about to be decapitulated.

[study_war_no_more]

8. Tax cuts will go a long way with no future of employment

perhaps the next incentive will come for transcripting your children to the military?

[drewb]

2. Very impressive!

Kucinich is moving to the front of the pack...

He is absolutely correct that we should rebuild our manufacturing!

[BayCityProgressive]

4. The real number is higher

The way the U.S. gauges unemployment is different than other nations. Also giving everyone a job would NOT be bad for the economy. Everyone would then be able to pay their bills and put money back into the economy THE HORROR!

[Noordam]

7. That is a major part of Clinton's surplus

with unemployement down at under 5% All those ppl paid taxes, and that put money into both the State and Federal checking accounts.

[indictrichardperle]

10. infrastructure and public works projects

are needed badly and a real FDR approach. Kucinich is right on the money, the 100 billion we wasted on Iraq this year, would have given the economy a big boost.......and our infrastructure is crumbling.

Loserman is a horse's ass.

[MaverickX]

11. wow after reading Michael Lind's book

I agree with Kucinich. Our economy revolves too much around resource and land exploitation(oil and agriculture) and too little on manufacturing and technology. Too bad he's still unelectable but Midwest progressives can do it if they really try.