Indulge me in a sports metaphor that Chicago fans of a certain vintage — geezers like me — can appreciate.
If Democrats don’t convert President Donald Trump’s domestic, foreign policy and behavioral shortcomings into enough November midterm wins to regain House and Senate control, it will be an epic failure that matches the Cubs collapse at the end of the infamous 1969 baseball season. (Youngsters can ask Google or artificial intelligence for details.)
The messaging Democrats should use is hiding in plain sight. Raise taxes on wealthy Chicagoans, other rich Americans and highly profitable companies, and clearly earmark the revenue not for government sinkholes — that’s a death knell — but tangible specifics many struggling folks need, such as mortgage and rental subsidies; childcare, healthcare and eldercare assistance; and school tuition help. Easy-peasy.
Lose all the intraparty squabbling over political identity or terminology and focus on the daily bread-and-butter issues that affect people’s lives viscerally.
Tell Chicagoans and others who are paying the bills exactly what they could be getting in this scenario, and trust that voters are willing to listen.
Polling indicates that increasing taxes on the wealthy is more popular and more likely to win a candidate votes than expanding Medicare or raising the minimum wage.
It’s also critical to earmark new tax dollars for the popular specifics because what government does with the money is key, especially in states such as Illinois, where voters have little faith in how Springfield and City Hall handle their hard-earned tax dollars.
Families deserve healthcare they can afford; childcare and eldercare that don’t consume a big chunk of a weekly paycheck; enough housing options so they’re not forced into impossible choices between high rent, mortgages and everything else; and the kind of education that gives every child a genuine shot at succeeding.
It’s a message Democrats in Illinois and around the country should repeat right up to the November election.
Don’t demonize successful people. Don’t declare war against capitalism. Just emphasize economic fairness and real-time affordability where voters are hurting.
Restore higher tax rates on individuals and companies that can easily afford it. Close loopholes and accounting tricks that protect income and profits. Enforce the tax code. Full stop.
And then pledge to spend the money where Chicagoans and other Americans actually feel the pain. That’s a winning strategy.
And when Republicans cry “socialism” or Trump’s favorite slur “communism,” counter by saying it’s not about labels — “it’s about fairness, affordability and an investment in America’s future.”
It’s about recognizing that a society doesn’t work very well when the people at the bottom and the middle — hello, Chicago! — are struggling to afford necessities while enormous fortunes accumulate at the top. And don’t harp endlessly about Trump’s policies and personality, as intoxicating and addictive as that may be. Tell them something they viscerally understand: Life is too expensive. Then tell them who’s going to help pay for fixing it.
That’s a compelling, unambiguous and potentially winning message every voter in Chicago and around the country can understand.
Andy Shaw is a semiretired journalist and good government watchdog.
More Top Picks Best Approach Shoes For Wide Feet Men
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected].