Spitzer writes: "It is time to transition from repairing the enormous structural damage done by the cataclysm the president inherited to establishing policies to restore the American middle class, reduce inequality, and improve America’s competitiveness. Here are two ideas for him to consider."

Former NY governor and crusading NY Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. (photo: PLATON/CNN Money)

Obama Needs Bigger Ideas

By Eliot Spitzer, Slate

07 January 12

If he's going to beat Romney, the president must have grand plans. Here are two worth trying.

ith Mitt Romney's almost certain win in New Hampshire next week, the race for the White House has now resolved to what was predicted almost a year ago: Mitt vs. Barack. The more extreme and entirely irrational voices of the Republican Party have nearly burned out, and the Republicans will be offering up a rather bland and opportunistic middle-of-the-roader who nonetheless has a credible record in the big leagues of private equity and as a one-term governor of Massachusetts.* Romney has successfully navigated a minefield of debates and attacks from the right without marginalizing himself so that he lost his capacity to appeal to the undecided voters who will determine the election in November. So let's be clear: Democrats cannot easily dismiss Mitt Romney. This will be a tight race, and the economic data of the late spring and summer will help determine the emotional state of the electorate.

So how will Obama approach the contest? His good news: We are out of Iraq; Bin Laden is dead; DADT is gone; we avoided an economic cataclysm (often by doing the wrong thing) and kept the auto industry alive; the economy is beginning to create jobs (note the 200,000 private-sector jobs reported today and an unemployment rate that has dropped to 8.5 percent); and health care reform was enacted.

Yet the crisis of the middle class continues unabated; the wages in new manufacturing jobs are far below what is needed to support middle-class living; the mortgage crisis continues, depressing the middle class; poverty is increasing; social mobility is down; and there are enough storm clouds on the horizon - a European recession in particular - that Americans are extremely anxious.

Put another way: We have addressed the crisis, but not the trend line. We dodged the worst immediate impacts of the converging multiple crises of the economy from 2008-09, but the longer term crises of declining middle-class income and increasing wealth disparity continue. So the president needs to confront these head on. He needs an agenda focused on two issues: equity and opportunity.

It is time to transition from repairing the enormous structural damage done by the cataclysm the president inherited to establishing policies to restore the American middle class, reduce inequality, and improve America's competitiveness. Here are two ideas for him to consider.

First, an idea that will not only generate greater equity and simplicity in the tax code but also create a powerful ideological divide between the president and Romney. The president should propose treating capital gains as ordinary income. The preference given to capital gains - now taxed at a mere 15 percent even for those in the top income brackets - serves no economic purpose, and magnifies the inequity in the tax code. Why give any preference to income that results from the sale of an appreciated asset as opposed to income that is the product of work? There is no compelling answer to this question, and absolutely no credible evidence that investment will be hindered if the capital-gains preference is eliminated.

Indeed, the Bowles-Simpson report suggested the elimination of the capital-gains preference, and the Bipartisan Policy Center, which is chock-full of prominent government officials of both parties and private-sector executives, has also endorsed the idea. Bizarrely, the Republicans are going in just the opposite direction: They want to eliminate all taxation of dividends and capital gains, thus increasing inequity.

Second, the moment is ripe for investment in education. We all know that the era of competition based on intellectual capital is upon us, and the United States is at great risk of falling behind China, India, and Europe. One problem magnifying this is the burden of student debt, which is surging as entry-level jobs are either unavailable or exist only at wage levels insufficient to cover debt payoffs. The president should embrace an idea originally proposed by Milton Friedman and James Tobin, recently pushed by Robert Reich in his wonderful book Aftershock, as well as by me here in Slate two years ago. It's simple: Have the government pay for college education for students in return for an agreed-upon repayment of a fixed percentage of post-graduate income. The beauty of this is that all barriers to education are eliminated. Everybody can go: No cash is needed up front. And the magnitude of your repayment is calibrated to what you earn, permitting freedom of choice with respect to jobs. Does this require those who earn more to pay more? Yes, but that is a fair transaction. Repayment is calibrated to the payback you get from the education. The numbers can be arranged such that the government is made entirely whole and educational opportunities are increased exponentially. And we would eliminate the problem of student debt that now crushes opportunity.

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+152 # JCM 2012-01-07 21:43

I think if there were a Senator Eliot Spitzer we would all be better off for it. Keep fighting for the middle class and keep telling the truth.

+9 # wsh 2012-01-08 13:14

As far as re-paying student loans:

"Does this require those who earn more to pay more? Yes, but that is a fair transaction."

Actually, no Elliot, per your proposal, it doesn't require them to pay more...they just pay off their debt sooner. So who could complain?

Also, in order to keep profits invested, realized cap gains that are reinvested within a short time frame (two months?) should NOT be taxed at all...but non-reinvested gains should be taxed at regular rates. And they must be reinvested within the same asset class, i.e., you can't realize a gain in a stock and put the profits in a CD or money market and still get the tax benefit.

If you put in something like this, you circumvent the Rep.s argument that this would cause net disinvestment before they can make the argument. And besides, net disinvestment is something we WANT to avoid.

+1 # RLF 2012-01-09 08:16

Student loans and their necessity has been created to keep students from studying subjects that don't pay well and tend toward a more progressive mind set. All art schools should be free!

+127 # tonenotvolume 2012-01-07 21:47

With Obama reelected and a Democratic majority AND a vibrant, active progressive movement, these two excellent suggestions could be implemented. Don't try to get the Republicans on board, just push them aside and let their obstructionism be seen for the heavy anchor it is. This satisfies the rightful demands of OWS and debt-drowning college graduates and as the author states removes "all barriers to education" Thanks, Eliot, for two attainable goals that could be unifying.

+49 # Barbara K 2012-01-08 05:48

Tone, you have it summed up so correctly. As long as there are all the Rs and Tbaggers in Congress, nothing will be accomplished without finding a way to go around them. I hope that the President does just that on every thing he can. We've been languishing long enough so the Rs can serve their corporate masters instead of the voters. I hope people really wake up and realize we need more Dems in congress so this country can get put on track again instead of the destruction being wrought by the Rs an Tbagggers. Too bad they cannot put the people first, but they've sold their souls to the devils they serve.

+14 # Observer 47 2012-01-08 10:07

I don't understand, Barbara, why you totally ignore the fact that the Dems are equally guilty of greed and corruption as the "Rs". Obama took more campaign money from Wall Street than from any other source. The Dems are every bit as much bought and paid for as the Rs. Voting for a Democrat simply because he ISN'T a Republican is just as destructive as voting for a Republican. The two parties are just opposite sides of the same coin, anymore. What we need are candidates who aren't bought, and there are almost none of those in either major party.

+10 # Obwon 2012-01-09 05:51

Quoting

I don't understand, Barbara, why you totally ignore the fact that the Dems are equally guilty of greed and corruption as the "Rs". Obama took more campaign money from Wall Street than from any other source. The Dems are every bit as much bought and paid for as the Rs. Voting for a Democrat simply because he ISN'T a Republican is just as destructive as voting for a Republican. The two parties are just opposite sides of the same coin, anymore. What we need are candidates who aren't bought, and there are almost none of those in either major party.

The problem with equivalence arguments is that they don't hold much water. While the first appearance may make it seem true, it really just devolves into a "who started it" debate.

Try this, Bush told us he needed an 800 billion bailout, but had already spent 1.2 trillion we learned, then we learned that he'd already spent 7.7 trillion, then we learned that he spent 29 trillion over the last 3 years of his presidency, to try to bailout the banks and failed. Do you really think candidate Obama knew what he was talking about before he took office?

Stop and think about how secretive the Bush adm was. Didn't you also believe that 800 billion was all of it then? We all trusted too much.

Obwon

+3 # X Dane 2012-01-10 16:47

Observer, sorry, I think you are wrong.
"We need candidates who aren't bought"
WHERE do you think you will find such an animal???

Our corrupt system makes it IMPOSSIBLE for any candidate to run without getting money from some one or some organisation. So of course they are beholden to the money man or men.

You say that the democrats and repubs. are the opposite side of the same coin.

PLEASE tell me what the repubs. EVER did for the middle class or the poor????

NADA ZIP ZILCH.

They ONLY do things for their pay masters, the wealthiest and the big corporations.
The democrats TRY and they do succeed, although not all the time.

Social Security, Medicare Medicaid and other measures to protect the weaker in society was done by democrats.

The republicans?? CUT, CUT, CUT, it is particularly sickening the way they cut funds for education. Making sure that only the wealthy can succeed, and the poor and middle class STAY poor.

+98 # Billy Bob 2012-01-07 21:55

If Obama's looking for big ideas, I have one for him:

What if, this time, he promises to keep his campaign promises from 2008? There were some big ideas 4 years ago that suddenly went "off the table" once he entered office.

Here's an even better idea: Make good on one of those promises BEFORE the election. That would be HUGE!

+15 # mwd870 2012-01-08 05:38

This made me laugh - all too true.

+26 # JamesGustin 2012-01-07 21:55

Sounds good...let's do this.

+64 # giraffee2012 2012-01-07 21:57

How are you going to get this past the GOP? They GOP (Koch, Banks, Oil, etc) have a goal: Kill the middle class and make the rich richer! While Splitzer's ideas are good - -the first agenda item is to expose the rhetoric of the GOP. Tonight the "beat OBAMA" was loud and clear from all those candidates. Why? and Why do most of the Republicans say this same weak reason to vote a Repugnut to the W.H.? Face it: He is black and almost ALL Republicans are white and have no love for a person of color. I'll stand up to each Republican I know and tell them -- will you?

TO run for President on a platform of "beat Obama" does nothing for the 99% or anybody except to put another black person where the KKK want them! In CA and NYC they arrest blacks disproptionally to whites for same crimes.

I'm sick and tired of not confronting these bigots. And it is time to stop them and call them for who they are. Until the black population has equal economic opportunity we are a nation of evil.

Then we can implement what Mr. Reich, Spitzer and other good people suggest.

Oh yeah start with "CORPORATIONS ARE NOT PEOPLE" - -and Supremes Scalia/Thomas should RESIGN (too bad we can't lock them up - criminals).

+62 # Bill Clements 2012-01-07 21:58

Spitzer is certainly correct when he says that these two ideas will create a monstrous divide between Romney and Obama; there's no way in hell Republicans would sign on to either one of these proposals. On the other hand, they would clearly garner enthusiastic support from those in and supportive of the OWS movement as well as those of us with kids in college who are either going broke financing their education or students themselves who see a debt so large by the time they graduate, that repaying it in their lifetime (unless they're doctors, lawyers, etc.) will be a Sisyphean challenge.

One can only hope that Obama will pull out all the stops, drawing an even brighter line between himself and Romney.

+4 # Regina 2012-01-08 22:30

You're assuming that all those who agree with you will get to vote. Don't forget the rightists' campaign to prevent voting by people who oppose them - the traps of picture-IDs plus records covering any name changes (can't let those married women vote!) that all the states with Republican governors are getting enacted. That;s another "Sisyphean challenge."

+2 # Bill Clements 2012-01-09 11:13

Believe me, I'm well aware of the Republican campaign's all out assault on the right to vote! I hope the Justice Department gets involved and challenges these new laws that some state's are enacting.

You gotta love those Republiscums; if they can't mount a credible campaign based on ideas, facts, etc., they have no problem at all playing as dirty as it takes to win.

+13 # Douglas Jack 2012-01-07 22:13

Eliot, It seems you are out of touch with the narratives of our time. Ron Paul for all of his false Free-Market economics, has put the military industrial complex and perpetual war on the national agenda. 20 - 25% of republican voters are choosing Paul on this basis with others as well tied to Buddy Roemer and Gary Johnson on the basis of non-interventionist language. The whole population including the other Republican presidential nominees as never before are shying away from the war drum as a consequence. As a consequence of Paul's reception and animation of military veterans sick of war economy, huge populations are turning against government subsidies for energy, war and other destructive economies. Paul has put his finger on the economic causes of government corruption and dysfunction. Romney and Obama in promoting the abuses of the 1%, the military industrial complex, perpetual war and assassination are self-declaring their own bankruptcy in the eyes of a huge animated population as never before. www.indigenecommunity.info

+31 # Texas Aggie 2012-01-07 22:38

" including the other Republican presidential nominees as never before are shying away from the war drum"

I'm sorry but when Santorum advocates invading and bombing Iran and Perry says he will send troops back to Iraq, I don't see how you can say that any of them are shying away from the war drum.

+5 # jimyoung 2012-01-08 10:32

Some are but not all. Santorum and Perry didn't get the memo.

+5 # Obwon 2012-01-09 05:58

Quoting

Some are but not all. Santorum and Perry didn't get the memo.

Yeah, I guess you haven't read about Scott Walker and how he tried to tell everyone that he campaigned on the union issues, only he didn't! So, do you really think we can trust what they're telling us? It wouldn't be the first big lie they told to get their hands on the power they crave, then do whatever their hearts desired, and/or serve their fund masters.

Since we know that they'll all say whatever they need to, to get elected, we can only use critical thinking to see beyond that, and try to figure out what their passions really are. If you don't know what a candidate is passionate about then don't be surprised if you find you've voted against your own interests.

-3 # Smiley 2012-01-09 07:04

That's just what i did when i voted for Obama

-1 # Douglas Jack 2012-01-09 12:37

Texas Aggie, I use 'shying away' as a relative term. If you are familiar with previous campaigns, Republicans and some Democrats go 'a full distance' with fear and hate and nothing is said by media or democrats. The war and assassination in Libya has been particularly disconcerting with all party support in the USA and Canada. Paul and Kucinich are among a handful who have stood up in opposition. I agree with you that' this time around Perry and Santorum are the only ones who continue to get carried away with vitriol. Ron Paul's constant education on the excesses of indiscriminate war are causing both 'vitriol' campaigns to fire on one cylinder in comparison. Ron Paul, like or hate him, is speaking 'truth to power' in a way that democrats have been less able. I don't agree with Paul's Free Market economic policy as he is oblivious to and misses out on fractal (dividers and multipliers) points of time-based accounting, progressive ownership and governance for diverse stakeholder investment into our ecology-economy. www.indigenecommunity.info

+1 # X Dane 2012-01-10 17:02

Douglas Jack. The democrats have been hesitant to oppose war, because republicans have always tried to paint them as cowards and unpatriotic.

Particularly when Bush wanted to attack Iraq they definitely feared being painted as unpatriotic considering the 9-11 attack

+16 # PGreen 2012-01-08 08:34

Unless you think an ecological project can co-exist side-by-side with a nuke, you probably envision centralized government playing a role-- the alternative is perpetual warfare between competing power blocs. This is the fallacy of Ron Pauls' neutering of government. We need basic ecological and economic principles-- regulations-- established on a larger scale. The trick is cultivating an appropriate role for government, perhaps keeping the economy decentralized enough for local peoples to flourish, setting educational standards, civil rights, etc.
Neoliberal interventionist s policies on behalf of international business won't go away easily, which is why Paul won't capture the Republican nomination. But obscene as such policies are, libertarian government is also deeply flawed. We don't need a flat tax-- quite the opposite. Let's start by killing the loopholes and putting teeth back in environmental and economic regulations.

-24 # Holyone 2012-01-07 22:17

LIsten to Milton Friedman? Surely you jest.

Have the Government pay for a college education and then require that they agree to give back a percentage of their after school wages? I think they already do this , it is call repaying a student loan, which is the problem.

10% of the income from an underpaid teacher is more of a burden than 10% of the income from a kid who makes a much larger salary.

These are not new big ideas on taxes, they are ones that a Republican controled Congress will never let come to a vote.

I have heard such great things about Mr. Spitzer. These offerings are rather disappointing.

+22 # Texas Aggie 2012-01-07 22:42

There is a big difference between paying back a loan and what Mr. Spitzer is advocating. When you pay back a loan, the amount you pay depends on how much you borrowed. When you enroll in Mr. Spitzer's proposal, you pay back a fixed percentage of your income, whatever it is, for a fixed number of years. The cost of your university education never enters into the calculations. So everyone pays, to pick a number, 10% of their taxable income for ten years regardless of how much their education costs.

+4 # Holyone 2012-01-08 14:56

Thanks Texas Aggie. This does clarify what Spitzer is relating a bit more . However, would it not still put the low salaried person at a greater diadvantabge than say the Doctor? What offsets are they recommending , if any?

+15 # pbbrodie 2012-01-08 08:48

A burden is a $50,000 dollar debt that you can't get rid of by any other means than repaying it, not even by bankruptcy. It hangs over your head until it is paid or you die. Paying a portion of your income is a far cry from this. I would much rather my children had this to deal with, instead of $50,000 in debt hanging over them.
Also, your example of the teacher is a very good case in point. The way it stands now, it doesn't make any difference at all how much the teacher makes, the repayment is set by the amount of debt and can very easily exceed your 10% of the teacher's income example! It's one thing to know you will have your income reduced by some small percentage for a set number of years but it's an entirely different thing to have an enormous debt hanging over your head to start out your life.

+8 # jimyoung 2012-01-08 11:09

Same for everyone's children. I see many students who owe five or six figure debts. Sallie Mae loans, though too often benefit the lenders more than the students and society in general.

See College Inc http://video.pbs.org/video/1485280975/. Are we investing taxpayer support

Whatever the law says about credit reports in hiring (see http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs16-bck.htm) students seem to have been excluded from some jobs based on their bad credit (this is anecdotal from former students, so take it for what it's worth or ask your friends and acquaintances).

I do believe we can do much better from earlier examples such as Bismark's transforming Germany through universal education and health care. How is it possible for the most direct beneficiaries to do less than make the whole country more productive? Where has the regressive trend (in these matters) my old party now pushes ever benefited society?

+37 # sanbauer@aol.com 2012-01-07 23:20

Elliot Spitzer needs his news show back again. I would like to hear more from him. His ability to analize, explain and rebut the opposition (in a likeable way) was the best I have ever seen. These two ideas makes sense for the country and for the middle class.

+5 # Obwon 2012-01-09 06:05

We're in a globally competitive world where some countries have universal education and we don't. So we have students choosing fields of study, not based on their personal interests, but merely on what economic sense it makes. That can't be good for either the students, society or the economy. Worse yet, it is letting other nationals effectively "eat America's lunch!"

+28 # Koma1 2012-01-07 23:55

One big idea, How should Obama answer to his enthusiasm towards the renewel of the patriot act, the duplicious comments made while signing the NADD act, and his stupendous performance at deporting 1.2 million immigrants? While we are about it perhaps he could give us a big idea about the handling of Bradley Manning and his cavalier attitude in San Francisco with his off handed he broke the law remarks? And what about the sudden eruption of anti Marijuana activity at the justice department? Economics good and well but his record on liberties needs much explaining. Hiding behind the republican curtain as an excuse worked for a while, but it should not anymore.

+2 # Obwon 2012-01-09 06:16

I'll agree with you on those issues, but with a grain of salt, we don't know what's going on behind those closed doors, so we can't know what was on the table being traded. Hopefully he was defending critical actions that needed to be urgently taken, and had to compromise "or else", in the face of impractical delay or worse. We just don't know.

We do know, however, that the "other side of the aisle" has told some very big and very damaging lies about what they were doing and about the problems that exist. Nor does Obama have that "My President right or wrong" coalition that the Bush/Cheney adm. had. So there's that.

Best we all keep grousing about what we see is wrong with the nation and keep up the search for the truth, by getting behind and paying attention to those who are doing the "heavy lifting" for us.

One good question to keep asking is: "What was that 29 trillion dollars Bush spent, or lent, all about?" We need an answer to that and the 2 trillion Rumsfeld spoke about just before 9-11 happened. The answers just might surprise us.

+42 # ozken 2012-01-08 00:30

Education - The suggestion offered by Eliot Spitzer has been operating in Australia since 1989 and works remarkably well.

It is means tested which means that everybody can get a go at a university education including the poor; as long as they have gained the necessary qualifications in High School. The government (tax payer) pays the tuition in the form of a loan and the student doesn't have to start paying back the loan until they have a job and start earning over the cut off annual income. get it? They don't go bankrupt trying to pay off a loan and they only start paying back the loan when they can afford it.

It works very well - two of my daughters went into the scheme - got great, well paid jobs with their uni degrees and have paid off their government loans with only a minor interest content.

It is fair and equitable for even the poorest student - a fair go for all. In Australia you don't have to go to Iraq or Afghanistan to get an education you can afford - if you survive.

Good luck with the Republicans - they will probably ask for a 5% rate on capital gains or something equally unfair and repugnant in return for educating Americans.

Entitlement society Mrs Bachman? No a Christian society where education and health care is affordable for all - is that too much to ask for from all those Biblebashing pretend Christian politicians you have in the U.S.?

+24 # pro 2012-01-08 01:57

Stop imperialism and place all our resources to help our citizens
survive and thrive. Stop immigration of all people who are illiterate
at a college graduate level. Stop defending Israel. Place ethics and
critical thinking above all other measures of intelligence. Stop
campaign financing. Stop the drug wars. Make lobbying illegal
for ten years. Stop media lies. Repress our drive to fascism now.

+21 # Carolyn 2012-01-08 02:17

This is a challenge to Obama, a call for him to take action for the good of the whole, the good of all. these ideas have been publicly articulated and are now "out there". Whoever reads this article will be able view Obama's action in their publicly stated context.
Obama has not been inactive. He has taken actions that have restructured the purpose and meaning of government in the United States: Congress is now irrelevant. The American military is on alert all over the world, permanently stationed in Australia, ready to strike in the Middle East and, in the Pacific, prepared for unrestricted war against Russia and China.
By his refusal to implement FDR's Glass-Steagall Act which saved our nation in 1933, and by printing paper money to bail out the debt crisis in Europe, the demise of the Euro is immanent and increasing numbers of financial experts are predicting the breakdpwn of our American financial system within months.
I am grateful to Mr. Spitzer for these Creative Ideas for Change in America. The tide has come in and washed away our cultural sand castle in America. That is the way of things in the physical world.
Human beings are creative. we love ideas and we have the will to implement them -- to work. We are here to create something new. Not war. Not to destroy life and the planet. We are here to work for a new society that functions for the good of all life on earth and the planet. We are here to create a way of life based upon compassion.

+9 # Carolyn 2012-01-08 02:25

Life on earth is about relationship.

+22 # hd70642 2012-01-08 03:03

It is a lot easier said than done . I am deeply afraid of these Unitized States heading towards third world status, Yes Obama aint the best but is he is a great deal better than anyone on the repubilcan't side of the fence . Ideally somebody like Rocky Jonson would would have a greater chance but all the money in the system makes it unlikely .I think Bernie Sander's idea of a consitutional ammendment eliminating corporate personhood and purging the system of undue financial influence is long overdue .Corporate personhood is as obscene as declaring a person of fractional value.

+9 # hd70642 2012-01-08 03:04

For one thing get rid of the idea of globalization being a viable concept. It only benefits the multinationals. This nation should focus on energy independence ,restoring the manufacturing base repairing, and upgrading the R And D which would open up all kinds of new horizons ,and restoring the educational base. When comes to education the emphasis on self esteem and posistive thinking is as corrosive as creationism and only helps assist this country on heading further towards third world status !!!! This nation's poor educational system is one of the greatest threats to nation security it currently has !! In fact a national educational summit should be held every four years and getting rid of beaurcracy in education should be one of it's top goals before considering any spending increases . Does a school really six or more vice principals ? You urgently need to have a return to tutoring and summer schools for those who get a C and below

+14 # Obwon 2012-01-08 04:18

Republicans always use "straw" arguments to challenge ideas. Who says that anyone earning a small pay check will have to pay the same 10% as those making more? Obviously if you used a fixed rate, you can logically prove inequity. But if lower earnings means a lower percentage, what then happens to the argument?

Republicans must always assume that anything gov't does, cannot be adjusted, even to accommodate the most glaring and obvious flaws.

Meanwhile, foreign governments are educating their citizens, which is why so many of those degree holders are coming here to earn wages that Americans can't, because Americans either can't afford the education, or because they've gone bankrupt and/or are otherwise without the financial wherewithal to pursue higher paying jobs.
In the realms of which, even bad credit reports are a game stopper. As well as length of time spent unemployed.

We also might bring back the S&L's as a safe haven for middle class people to store their wealth. Only this time we need to lock it down more securely and let everyone know why S&L's won't be allowed to invest in high risk securities.

+1 # X Dane 2012-01-10 17:24

Right Obwon, Savings and Loan should NEVER take risks with the savings.
It is a disgrace that banks are playing roulette with their client's money.
It is criminal and should be treated accordingly.

+23 # goodsensecynic 2012-01-08 05:12

These ideas are of potential interest to Americans, but not enough to persuade citizens of other countries to endorse an Obama presidency.

You may reasonably ask: "Who cares what other countries think?" and I have no clear answer: America is America and global opinion won't sway US voters.

But, if you do care, consider the following:

Global Environment: Stop stalling, start leading - no more Copenhagens;

Guantanamo: Close it as promised;

Human Rights: End support for cruel dictators;

International Finance: Initiate a "Tobin tax";

Latin America: Quit supporting right-wing
ideologues and insurgents;

Palestine: Get serious about a two-state solution or suggest something better;

Perpetual War: Stop coddling the Pentagon & the Arms Industry and playing the politics of fear (and don't invade Iran);

Protectionism: End "Buy America" or quit pretending you support free trade;

Rendition for torture: No more!

War on Terror, War on Drugs ... they're scams - forget them!

These ideas will be rejected by Republicans and right-wing Democrats. They may not immediately put cash in Americans pockets. But, they'd restore worldwide respect, help save the Earth ecologically and its people economically, and put substance in the slogan "change you can believe in."

+16 # Patch 2012-01-08 05:12

Mr. Spitzer's ideas are excellent and I wish President Obama would take note and DO something. However, both proposals require standing up to Republicans, which requires a backbone. Unfortunately, Obama hasn't shown he has one.

+2 # Obwon 2012-01-09 06:30

I don't see that Obama "has no backbone", he can't have swallowed those bitter pills needed to get us to where we are, without having some backbone to do it. Try to remember in your studies that: "Things are not always what they appear to be."

We've been seeing an otherwise progressive President swallow some very bitter Republican pills. Last time that happened was during Clinton's Adm., where they kept him constantly harassed by whitewater and finally Monica Lewinsky.

Comes now they've quite a bit of secret damages they've done, that they can reveal and probably blame Obama for. That's their usual modus operandi. So just stay alert and don't be fooled by magicians tricks being played.

+20 # mwd870 2012-01-08 05:55

Eliot Spitzer is one of the true examples of a politician redeeming himself. He's been outspoken about the corrupting influence of big money and holding Wall Street accountable.

The two proposals for President Obama make complete sense, especially the capital gains issue. Speaking out with good suggestions is a positive in terms of the importance of influential people making their voices heard.

The administration knows, "It is time to transition from repairing the enormous structural damage done by the cataclysm the president inherited to establishing policies to restore the American middle class, reduce inequality, and improve America's competitiveness ." If Obama adopts these types of proposals despite resistance from Republicans, he will have more credibility with the 99% and help to save his legacy as president.

+9 # Floridatexan 2012-01-08 06:00

I am completely on board with your suggestion on capital gains tax and wish that Obama had reversed the Bush tax cuts in 2010 (it would have helped him politically as well as giving a needed economic boost. Not so much on the education front, however; for one thing, Milton Friedman never had a good idea.

+3 # animas 2012-01-08 06:25

One thing to remember Obama and most dems maintain the rule of Wall Street and they served first and foremost their corporate paymasters Dems need to derail the Occupy Wall Street Movement because it calls attention to what is really happening. They will try to co opt it and send it to its grave. Obama and the Dems are part of the problem, not the solution. We need to turn our backs on them for good... regardless of how ghoulish the Repub candidate seems. If you examine the facts Obama has for the most part continued Bush's platform. All conventional forms of dissent and redress are totally denied us. The corporate coup is complete. It seems that the only route left is civil disobedience, and listening to the moral voices in our society, like, Mckibben, Chomsky, Berry, Nader, and Hedges. Build the enclaves for the world you want to see, do this for your survival....collapse is inevitable...

There is only one question:
How to love this world. ...
—Oliver

+9 # Merschrod 2012-01-08 07:38

Two Nice ideas, but they are two slender planks to walk, Obama needs a platform,but unfortunately he has not been a steady warrior for the middle class, much less the poor. He has been weak-kneed on constitutional rights, and not progressive in the mortgage department either. I am afraid that he had his chance and blew it so we will be stuck with a middle of the road, yet non-compassionate republican product of the financial industry.

We have to support progressives to congress, and yes, Spitzer would be an excellent progressive candidate if he would only live in a Red State!

+10 # 2wmcg2 2012-01-08 07:39

Spitizer's right as far as he goes. However, the two causes of job loss are displacement of human labor by machines and outsourcing of labor to low-wage countries abroad. Until we address those problems, we will not have adequate numbers of jobs. Solutions anyone?

+4 # PGreen 2012-01-08 12:22

Sustainability. Provide capital to small scale business (esp regional marketed), local manufacturing, regional alternative energy, and farming. Other than that-- maybe a tax on tax on environmental atrocities (regardless of location), and a tax on goods produced under sweatshop conditions would help-- though the iPod owners will hate it. But I'm sure others can find better solutions.

+10 # tmagstadt 2012-01-08 07:45

Remember the Obama who HAD "bigger ideas". That Obama needs to get back in touch with this Obama. A good place to start would be to clean house: the White House, that is. And to ask his wife, Michelle, who to replace with whom, as well as consulting her on a wide range of policy issues. After all, in a gender-blind world, she'd be the president; she's certainly the one in that twosome most SUITABLE for the presidency. By all means, get rid of repulsive chicken thieves like Geithner guarding the hen house with a permanent smirk.

+6 # handmjones 2012-01-08 08:16

It's not just capital gains - bonuses - options etc. Cut 'em all!
You might switch the TP over to Dem if you also included a balanced budget. Make the graduated income tax continue on up to 100% on some very high marginal dollar - say the 100 millionth. At yearend, retroactively move the 100% point forward or back to achieve the necessary balanced budget.

+8 # PGreen 2012-01-08 12:42

I've often thought (though only half-seriously) that all executive compensation above a certain level-- perhaps 2X or 3X the company average-- should be considered frivolous expenditure, and classed as profit. Let it thus be taxed twice. Such a classification of high salary might make a few shareholders and board members reconsider if the exec is really worth it-- or if a more equitable level is desirable.

-2 # jpitre 2012-01-08 08:31

Certainly simplify the tax code - however it is extremely unfair to tax gains that are mostly caused by inflation, therefore either adjust for inflation on capital gains or maintain the lower rate. High capital gains taxes based on inflation will seize up the system as people will tend to NOT sell assets owing to the tax burden and healthy change of ownership will be restricted

0 # Billy Bob 2012-01-10 18:47

It's always "unfair" to increase the tax burden on money not earned from work, isn't it?

+4 # Byronator 2012-01-08 09:07

Obama needs bigger ideas AND bigger cojones ... what good are great propositions if they're ultimately always contaminated and compromised down to Frankinstein legislation?

+5 # Eliza53 2012-01-08 09:07

Many overlook the important legislation Obama passed in March 2010 regarding student loans.

See http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/30/obama-signs-bill-on-student-loans-health-care/

Just one aspect of the bill:
"Students who borrow money starting in July 2014 will be allowed to cap their repayments at 10 percent of their income above basic living requirements, instead of 15 percent. Moreover, if they keep up their payments, they will have any remaining debt forgiven after 20 years instead of 25 years – or after 10 years if they are in public service, such as teaching, nursing or serving in the military."

Paying 10% of one's DISCRETIONARY income for 20 years (or 10 years if doing public service) is huge. If one is earning minim wage and one has no discretionary income after basic living expenses. then no payment (or perhaps only the most nominal f payments) is required. I've heard virtually no publicity about this change, which should encourage EVERYONE who wishes to to get a college degree.

I consider his one of the most important policy initiatives of the Obama Administration.

+3 # Jerry 2012-01-08 09:15

What am I missing here? I don't think it would be easy to sell home owners on taxing the equity in their homes at their regular tax rate, or eliminate the current rollover provision, or the get out of tax free on home equity card once they reach age 55. College, or trade school, education should be paid for by the government from the increased taxes on the higher income education generates.

+3 # leedeegirl 2012-01-08 10:06

Douglas Jack said:
"Eliot, It seems you are out of touch with the narratives of our time. Ron Paul for all of his false Free-Market economics, has put the military industrial complex and perpetual war on the national agenda. 20 - 25% of republican voters are choosing Paul on this basis with others as well tied to Buddy Roemer and Gary Johnson on the basis of non-interventionist language."

To this, i say: GREAT! let the Republican vote "split" as many ways as possible ...

+4 # Billie 2012-01-08 10:20

How about a third idea? Refresh his knowledge of the Constitution and his legal obligations to exercise his Constitutional mandatedes as President?

+5 # DurangoKid 2012-01-08 10:23

Thanks Eliot, two good ideas that will go nowhere. Let's face it. The situation is beyond the control of anyone who would be elected president. Industrial culture is only a decade or two away from the physical limits of planet Earth. The signs are in stagnant oil production and the low grade ore bodies that supply most of the metals we use. The sinks that absorb our wastes are nearing saturation. It only makes sense that the monetary systems are freaking out over the promises they made and now must break. And still, capitalism is looking to make a buck off this, long or short. Changing the tax code? Free education? Capital will find a way around any barrier. Our problems are systemic and institutional. Our systems are designed to preserve these institutions, not reform them. I'm more convinced that Jimmy Carter was our last shot a great statesman as president. He had the courage to state the obvious and warn us off the path we've taken. But the PTB sold Reagan to the unwashed rabble and we know where that got us. Americans prefer comfortable fantasies to hard realities. If we'd started solving some of our systemic issues in 1980, we might have a handle on some of the problems and learned to live within our limits. But no, let's talk about free tuition and taxing the rich instead. I think the deck chairs should be in circles instead of rows, don't you?

+8 # The Saint 2012-01-08 10:37

Since colleges and universities vary greatly in tuition, etc., let's at the same time demand serious cut backs in the ludicrous sports programs and the obscene salaries paid some coaches. Let's return university life to education and the life of the mind.Tax payers don't want to be paying hidden costs for say Ohio State football now rolled into raised tuition.

+2 # mjc 2012-01-10 10:40

Think the "entertainment factor" from any college or university should be rolled back. We see plenty of football and basketball from pros every single day. Sports in college should perhaps all be intramural, not paid positions.

+8 # ganymede 2012-01-08 10:44

Eliot Spitzer is one of the better political minds/leaders of our time. It's a shame that his arrogance led him astray, and allowed him to be the perfect set-up for his many rightwing enemies. He obviously has learned a lesson. Hopefully, there will be a place for him when Obama puts together his second term government.

+5 # futhark 2012-01-08 12:12

A good place to start would to be to ask his wife Michelle Obama to be his new chief of staff. From reports, it sounds like she would keep all the Wall Street friendly riff-raff like Tim Geithner and Rahm Emmanuel out of the White House, a big step in creating a transformationa l presidency instead of Bush's Third Term.

+2 # jmillay 2012-01-08 14:23

A really big change is needed in education starting from the early grades. Many are having trouble keeping up with the 3 Rs because we have not considered educating the whole child to prepare him/her to be able to focus on the problems of the intellect. If we teach biofeedback and neurofeedback beginning in the 5th grade, we can teach focus of attention, stress management, and how we are all connected in energy. When this is learned, we could change the cost of healthcare, as well, since a large part of such costs are created by stress, and the pressure of the corporate media hypnosis to push drugs and bad food... For more information about "Self-Discovery Science", you can find a free 80-page booklet of lesson plans and theory by teachers at this website: www.fmbr.org/millay... no cost, no hidden fees. This is an idea that needs to be expanded and used. Jean Millay, PhD.

+9 # mikenovember 2012-01-08 18:50

Nobody has mentioned Professor Reich's blockbuster suggestion:
Open Medicare to all citizens! Overnight you have the best health care reform, lower escalating medical costs and nobody can possible have any objection to matching all those countries with health plans that have had us green with envy for years.

+1 # Douglas Jack 2012-01-08 22:58

Spitzer's stance as NY Attorney General uncovering indiscretions by large chemical companies about complex synthetic cosmetic chemicals about a decade ago was awesome as are his other public accomplishments .
ISSUES in PROPORTION
Obama, Harper in Canada & NATO countries gratuitously bombed Libya along with assassination and war policies. Obama doesn't have control of most policy issues in a minority House & a largely Republican controlled media. However he can raise a national internet discussion as Ron Paul has been so effectively. Obama isn't in touch with crucial life issues such as Ron Paul is with war veterans. Obama & other mainstream Republicans are addicted expectant consumers addicted to institutional games. Spitzer's article focused on minor artificial constructs.
TAXATION & EDUCATION
Spitzer's two points on taxation and education are flawed. Education is institutionally out of touch with the experiential requirements. Both are minor irrelevant points to a perpetual war economy and financial exhaustion.
PARTIAL PAUL
Ron Paul's Free Market economic policies ignore 'fractals' (dividers & multipliers) determinants in monetary capital accounting & governance practices leading to massive financial abuses. Paul doesn't understand government as a form of corporation as are monetary-capital corporations be they all inefficient. The national discussion Paul raises on the Military Industrial Complex & perpetual war economy is a miracle.

+1 # Douglas Jack 2012-01-10 22:20

If we take responsibility for having committed genocide against the democratic First Nations here. If we learn about the Economic Democracy which First Nations and indeed our own 'indigenous' (Latin = 'self-generating') ancestors from everywhere around the world practiced. If we study these participatory practices of intergeneration al Multihome living (apartment & townhouse-like) and universal progressive ownership in Production Societies, then we will understand the true foundation of the subset called political democracy. Humanity's democratic heritage for hundreds of thousands of years has systematic sustainable checks and balances. Such participatory collaborative systems are the foundation of collective intelligence. www.indigenecommunity.info

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