Staff Reports
In the latest episode of the “what’s-the-plan-again?” saga surrounding the Democrats, Senator Chris Coons, a prominent Delaware Democrat, had the audacity to claim that Vice President Kamala Harris has painted a “broad vision” for her economic agenda. If broad visions were currency, the Democrats would be rich beyond belief—which is exactly why they consistently avoid detailing where any of that wealth comes from. Coons suggested that voters should expect a bit of déjà vu from the current administration, as Harris intends to keep a hefty chunk of President Biden’s policies intact. After all, nothing screams “new ideas” like recycling the same old disastrous economic strategies.
When pressed by CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin about the lack of specifics in Harris’s agenda, Coons responded with a flourish of political tap-dancing. He seemed to imply that anyone anxious to know their potential tax rate or the regulatory environment under Harris’s watch was simply “overthinking” things. Instead of tackling real questions, like “Will my paycheck stretch further this year?”, Coons focused on how Americans should appreciate the chaos created by former President Trump. It’s quite the impressive sleight of hand—turning economic anxiety into a personal indictment of a rival’s temperament while sidestepping the very real unease currently confronting voters.
Harris Co-Chair: She’s ‘Going to Keep a Lot of the Same Policies’ from Biden https://t.co/ABjdjys0zt
And you want more of Biden policies?
— Christine Steward (@Tisciss) September 25, 2024
Coons attempted to sell Harris’s proposals, notably a capital gains tax increase that he claimed was “lower” than Biden’s lofty expectations. One has to wonder if what they consider “lower” is actually a gentle nudge in the right direction, or just a more palatable way of hiking taxes while trying to restore the middle class. The absence of a detailed housing strategy must be their idea of fiscal “inclusivity”—a vague notion of collaboration that offers more questions than answers. As if simply having a capital gains tax hike is going to save anyone’s home from rising prices or stop inflation from eating away at hard-earned paychecks.
In this same breath, Coons tossed around buzzwords like “regulatory barriers” and “middle-class wealth” as if they were magic spells capable of conjuring economic prosperity out of thin air. If only the American public could merely wave a wand and manifest financial stability amidst the fog of vague Democratic policy proposals! Unfortunately, Americans are living in the real world, where economic principles don’t magically align with wishful thinking.
Adding to the irony, Coons suggested that both Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz would finally be providing more details soon. One can imagine the frenzied anticipation among voters, who are probably holding their breath waiting for a revelation on how their bank accounts might feel a bit heavier if they instead opted for a ticket that doesn’t include a capital gains tax increase. The Democrats seem to expect voters to embrace whatever feeble breadcrumbs they’re about to scatter while ignoring the economic feast Republicans are serving up.
In short, when it comes to the Democrats’ economic vision for 2024, what remains is familiar territory: A blend of uncertainty, lack of detail, and a strong reliance on the adage that the best defense is a good offense. Voters looking for clarity should be cautious; a broad vision without specifics is just a highway to higher taxes and a stagnant economy. It’s time to buckle up for another round of political doublespeak as the Democrats spin their grand design—if they ever decide to let the American people in on the details.
