Making Sense Alerts

George Bush, John McCain, and their conservative allies believe that the Iraq war has been worth the cost. About two-thirds of Americans disagree, according to a recent poll. Apparently, conservatives don’t understand “opportunity cost”—the basic economic concept that when you choose to buy one thing, you can’t use that money to buy something else. We offer ways to make it plain. Read the Making Sense Alert | Watch the "Opportunity Costs" Video

The federal minimum wage has increased from $5.85 to $6.55, providing a much-needed raise to millions of American workers. Today is a good day to remind our fellow citizens that we’re on their side while the right wing fights against the interests of American workers. Let’s tout last year’s victory. But let’s also remind Americans that the job isn’t done—we need a minimum-wage solution that works for the long term. » From Our Blog: "The Next Minimum Wage Fight"

Why is Bush the most unpopular president in the history of political polling? Maybe it’s because he thinks Americans are fools. Last Monday, Bush signed an executive order to reverse his 7½ year policy against oil drilling in some offshore areas, falsely suggesting that it will help lower the soaring price of gasoline. Bush’s flip-flop on offshore drilling is just the latest attempt to divert attention from the conservatives’ failed energy policies.

Last week, Sen. John McCain called the system for funding Social Security "an absolute disgrace." Apparently, McCain was completely unaware that the way Social Security is funded has remained the same for more than 65 years. Yet, there is an absolute disgrace in the debate over Social Security—it's the right-wing fear-mongering that Bush, McCain, and other conservatives have used to stir up support for privatization schemes.

John McCain and many other conservatives say they would solve our current economic problems by expanding George Bush's tax cuts for the rich. For example, McCain has called for making the Bush cuts permanent and for cutting the corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent. This is a recipe for economic disaster. Tax cuts for the rich have not and will not help middle-income Americans.

On July 8, the new Health Care for America Now (HCAN) coalition was launched by the Campaign for America’s Future and 100 other national and local organizations. The coalition’s mission is to establish a public mandate for quality, affordable health care for all. We can be sure that health care will play a central role in the 2008 election because Americans are wholly dissatisfied with the current system, and there is a dramatic difference between the way progressives and conservatives would address the problem. The HCAN coalition is asking a big question of individuals and candidates for office at all levels: Which side are you on when it comes to America’s health care future? Do you support our progressive principles—affordable coverage for all and a guarantee of real choices? Or do you support the conservative “you’re on your own” approach to health care, with no guarantee of coverage and the massive, overnight shift of up to 158 million workers out of employer-sponsored group health plans, throwing them at the mercy of the private insurance market?

During this holiday weekend, you might find yourself disputing politics over fried chicken and potato salad. What's your best argument? What's this election really about? As Clinton strategist James Carville told us 16 years ago: It's the economy, stupid!

Thursday, June 26 is the anniversary of the Senate filibuster that blocked the Employee Free Choice Act. One year ago, Barack Obama voted for the legislation, siding with the great majority of Americans. John McCain voted against it, siding—once again—with George W. Bush and the Republican obstructionists. This is a good day to explain why we're proud to protect workers' rights and support the Employee Free Choice Act.

Today, Sen. John McCain will travel to Canada to celebrate the North American Free Trade Agreement and pledge to pursue more of the same corporate trade agreements. He will criticize Sen. Barack Obama for calling for renegotiating NAFTA and similar agreements. This echoes the position of President Bush and most Republicans in Congress. Americans, however, overwhelmingly believe that current trade policies have "subjected American companies and employees to unfair competition and cheap labor." They are looking for a different course. This is a golden opportunity for progressives to speak out against the unfair trade policies of Bush, McCain and their congressional enablers, and to lay out a progressive trade strategy that works for working people.

Home prices are falling and foreclosures rising across the country. With one in six mortgaged homes now worth less than the loan balance, our entire economy is at risk. Few Americans are aware that the housing bubble was the natural result of reckless Bush administration policies. Let’s place blame where it’s due and outline a series of progressive solutions to the problem.