The Bankruptcy of Republican Thought New Republic – Danny Vinik. In January of this year, the Center for American Progress released a report  which offered a host of solutions to America’s weak economic and wage growth. These included increased infrastructure spending, raising the minimum wage, and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. Unsurprisingly, these ideas were not universally heralded. In a recent article in the National Review, Ramesh Ponnuru and Yuval Levin condemned the report and its policy prescriptions as “not well suited to the circumstances and challenges of contemporary American life.” Even though I disagree, let’s grant them this statement. Let’s say these policies aren’t well suited to helping America. Then what is the other side offering to help low and middle class Americans? If I can paraphrase Ponnuru and Levin’s own thoughts: not much. They rightfully concede that, [t]he last two Republican presidential campaigns were fairly light on policy ideas, and the overall message they conveyed to voters was that all would be well if the federal government restrained spending, liberated entrepreneurs from regulation, and cut taxes, especially on businesses. We’re nearly four years removed from our nation’s last general election and Republican policies remain virtually unchanged. In short, their ideas in 2016 are going to be stale or worse – laughable (I’m looking at you, flat tax proponents). If the Republicans hope to win back the White House, they must stop being the party of ‘no’ and ‘repeal’ and instead actually offer bold policy recommendations which go beyond tax cuts, less regulation and smaller government. Democrats may not have all of the solutions or all of the best ideas. But at least they are evolving and trying new concepts. Republicans should take note. US economy has a strong jobs report: After disappointing job numbers in March, the US added  263,000 jobs this April , dropping the unemployment rate to 5.4%. California city plans $16 minimum wage by 2019: Emeryville, a small … Continue reading Daily Clips: May 8th, 2015