ECONOMICS: Why we're in this mess

Jeff Bourget's My Turn (Friday, Nov. 25) really nailed it. Trickle down economics doesn't work, and 30 years of tax cuts and preferential treatment for the wealthiest among us has proved it. While the economic pie has grown, it has been gobbled up by the top 20 percent of earners, and especially the top 1 percent who more than doubled their share of all income to 17 percent while the rest of us get smaller and smaller portions.

Despite all of this, the Republicans in Congress torpedoed any chance for a debt reduction deal by refusing to even consider increasing taxes on the top 1 percent by a little. While more than two-thirds of Americans support raising taxes on the very wealthiest, Republicans put their loyalty to Grover Norquist and the top 1 percent above the need to restore balance to our nation's economy. It's the Inequality Stupid!

Perhaps the most frightening recent trend are the Republican efforts to discourage voting. All across the nation Republican controlled legislatures have been promoting and passing laws to cut down voter participation by the poor and elderly: eliminating or severely limiting early voting, eliminating same-day registration, cutting off registration at earlier dates prior to elections (well before college students show up for classes), requiring very specific photo identification (too bad if you're too poor, too old or just don't need a driver's license - it'll cost you both time and money to get an acceptable I.D. They claim to be doing this to eliminate "voter fraud" despite the total lack of evidence of significant fraud. Fortunately, at least some of these antidemocratic efforts have been turned back by the voters.

With the extremely low voter turnout (41.5 percent in 2010) in this country, we should be doing everything we can to encourage people to vote. It is still (thank God) a democracy, and voters can make a meaningful difference. For the 80 percent of us who have seen our share of the economic pie shrink, that means it is more important than ever to make sure your voter registration is up-to-date, that you have the necessary I.D. with you, and that you actually cast your ballot. Help friends register and get I.D. Provide transportation for those needing a lift. Vote, vote vote!

And please remember, if you are still buying the Republican line that cutting taxes for the rich will increase everyone's share of the pie, you haven't been paying attention to the history of recent years. All that has resulted from 30 years of tax cuts for the wealthy is an ever widening inequality, a stifling of upward mobility, and a decline in job opportunities for American workers.

DOUG STRONG

Fernwood