ViewpointElection 2024

Harris Is No Socialist—But Her Economic Plans Are Far Better Than Trump’s

Trump wants to throw more money at the super rich, while Harris is proposing spending on public programs to benefit the working class. While her plans don’t go nearly far enough, they’re superior to the alternative.

Max B. Sawicky

ViewpointElection 2024

Kamala Harris Can Do Better Than This

The most striking thing about the Democratic nominee’s economic platform is its timidity. She could go much further to lift up the working class.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

The World’s Richest Just Got Extraordinarily More Wealthy—Taxing Them Doesn’t Go Nearly Far Enough

Lessening inequality isn’t the only reason to tax the super rich. We also need to decrease their political power while spending on social programs that benefit the working class.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Unpacking Biden’s Second Term Economic Plan

The Biden administration’s proposed 2025 budget marks a departure for Democratic incumbents.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

A Second Trump Term Could Spell Economic Disaster

From trade wars to border policy, Trump’s plans if he wins the presidency again are set to make the U.S. economy far worse for working people.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

It’s Time to Reclaim the Promise of Economic Rights in the U.S.

The fight for social democratic policies can help inspire a progressive resurgence in America. A new book provides a roadmap.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

One Weird Trick to Help Solve the U.S. Housing Crisis

In a new book, Richard Kahlenberg explains that decades of arcane zoning regulations have led to our current system of high rents, restrictions on worker mobility, and racial and economic segregation.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Democrats Shouldn’t Fall for McCarthy’s Debt Limit Ransom Attempt

Republicans are threatening to tank the global economy if President Biden doesn’t agree to slash spending on social welfare programs. It’s a trap.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Biden’s New Budget Is a Progressive Opening Gambit

While Republicans are proposing to slash social programs, the White House has released a plan to boost policies that help working families while increasing taxes on the rich and corporations.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

The Republican Party’s Plan to Fight Inflation Is a Sham

Republicans don’t have a strategy to lower costs for consumers, but they are plotting to slash the safety net.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Grading President Biden’s Economic Record

Rapid job growth and increased worker bargaining power are very good—there’s a whole lot more progressive policy that could be done.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Biden’s Student Debt Relief Plan Is a Very Good Economic Policy

The critics are wrong—cancelling student debt will actually help ease inflation and benefit working-class borrowers.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

The Manchin-Approved Budget Bill: A Hell of a Lot Better Than Nothing

Democrats’ new reconciliation deal is far from what progressives wanted. But it could still curb climate change, advance fairness in the U.S. tax system—and boost the party’s chances in the midterms.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Don’t Trust the Federal Reserve on Inflation

The Fed’s plan to curb inflation rests on punishing working people—when they’re the ones in need of relief.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Most Price Increases from Inflation Have Gone to Corporate Profits

The inflation panic is causing some Democrats to pivot from social spending to deficit reduction. That's exactly the wrong approach.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

The “Great Resignation” Is Just Hype

The solution to Biden’s economic problems is simple: spend more money to fuel the recovery.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Running Scared from Inflation Is a Recipe for Ruining the Economy

The specter of inflation is being invoked by Sen. Joe Manchin to block vital social programs in the Build Back Better bill. It's just a pretext for class war.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

The New Inflation Scare Is the Dumbest Thing Since Voodoo Economics

Elites are sounding the alarm over threats of inflation in order to block Biden’s social spending plan. We shouldn’t fall for it.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: Grading Biden's Build Back Better Deal

What’s in the latest version of Biden and the Democrats’ massive social spending plan? Not everything progressives wanted, but more than might have been expected under a centrist president.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

The Budget Reconciliation Fight Isn't Really About Progressives Vs. Moderates

Don’t believe misleading media coverage of the standoff in Congress. Here’s what’s actually going on.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

The Infrastructure and Budget Bills Are a Watershed in U.S. Economic Doctrine

Deficit demagogy has (finally) become a fringe position in American politics—just look at the massive bills moving through Congress.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

An Old Idea for a Guaranteed Income Is Back in Style

A new proposal for a negative income tax could eliminate poverty in the United States.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Democrats Are Wasting Precious Time with a Measly "Bipartisan" Infrastructure Deal

The bipartisan plan is a drop in the bucket. Democrats need to forget Republicans and pass a bold package that makes massive public investments.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Biden's First 100 Days Have Been a Tale of Two Presidencies

When it comes to economic issues, the Biden administration has shown some surprising progressivism. On foreign policy, not so much.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

By All Means, Means Test

For anti-poverty benefits, defense comes first.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Biden Needs to Spend Big—And Fast. Here Are 4 Immediate Priorities.

Forget about the debt. Boosting the economy and sending people money isn't just good policy, it's smart politics.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

It’s Not Just Trump: The Neoliberal Roots of the Postal Service Crisis

We should defend the Post Office, both from Trump and the ideology of austerity that treats the agency “like a business.”

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Yes, Joe Biden Has Long Pushed Cuts to Social Security. End of Story.

Bernie Sanders is right to call out Biden’s objectionable record on cutting Social Security—no matter what Paul Krugman says.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

Why the Left Needs To Stop Worrying and Learn To Love Impeachment

The fight for democracy can’t be left to the centrists.

Max B. Sawicky

Viewpoint

There Are Limits to Government Spending, But We Haven’t Reached Them Yet

Max B. Sawicky

Labor

No, Pensions Aren’t All Collapsing, and We Don’t Need To Scrap Them

Max B. Sawicky