Both parties would have us believe politics is a debate between the left and the right, progressives and conservatives. But we all share common values that this mindset doesn’t adequately address: security, opportunity, freedom, fairness. Left vs right often keeps us bickering over divisive issues politicians choose for us. They distract from the fundamental issues that separate us into classes. Entrenched politicians would rather not have that debate. Democrats and Republicans avoid talk of policies that expose them, and separate us on the growing wealth gap.
Instead, a look at our vertical economic alignment, from top to bottom, could result in meaningful dialogue, debate and solutions to the wrongful wealth disparity and the declining quality of life. We should not be distracted from issues that directly impact our economic security, job opportunities, personal freedoms of speech and media, and societal fairness.
What are the forces and policies that have driven us up or down the wealth ladder over the past four decades? They are, among others: wage stagnation, suppressed workers’ rights, corporate welfare, corporate political influence, lopsided tax structures, tax-free upper classes, untaxed or undertaxed wealth income, corporate deregulation, threats to public lands and loss of taxpayer benefits.
We ought to consider our candidate choices based on these core issues fundamental to our quality of life. I believe our current leaders in D.C., and their party, have demonstrated that they aren’t driven by the proper incentives to address them. They’re beholden to the wrong people and powers to honestly represent us. Their blind allegiance to a self-serving administration that is clearly in the haves camp, from the president to his billionaire Cabinet, shows their lack of regard for the rest of us. We should do something about that in November. Vote them out.
Larry Witt, Moab