Despite Political Noise, Dems Still Govern Better
We’re a week from the midterms, and despite all the hateration out there and the NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! Democrats at all levels still have a history of getting the job done. As a data scientist, I spent most of my professional life separating the signal from the noise. In this monumental midterm election season, clarifying the signal has been challenging.
No thanks to the particular kind of crazy of Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kanye West, the MAGA pandering of Kevin McCarthy, the incompetence of Herschel Walker, and the general cowardice of the GOP, Joe Biden, his merry band of determined cabinet members and Congressional Democrats are doing more than just holding January 6 hearings. Democrats, at every level, are doing their jobs and getting stuff done.
Let’s review the facts.
More fiscally responsible
As the deficit continues to decrease, we realize that Democrats are proving to be more fiscally responsible than their GOP counterparts. Democrats tend to invest in programs that will help to grow the economy for everyone, such as education and infrastructure. They are also less likely to support tax cuts for the wealthy, leading to increased deficits. Instead of whining about the impact of Biden’s student loan forgiveness, you might remember the unfairness of Trump’s and the GOP’s deficit-busting tax break for the rich.
Lower Unemployment Rates
Because they are likely to support policies that help to create jobs, such as investment in infrastructure and green energy, they continue to be associated with lower unemployment rates than Republicans. Democrats are also more likely to raise the minimum wage, which can help to reduce poverty and increase consumer spending, which, in turn, drives economic growth. It’s simple capitalism. The more money people have, the more likely they are to spend. The more consumers spend, the more jobs they create.
Yes, in the long run, the Economy
The US economy has grown stronger under Democratic presidents than Republican presidents. Democrats are more likely to enact policies stimulating economic growth, such as investment in education and infrastructure. They are also less likely to pursue policies that could harm the economy, like tax cuts for the wealthy or cutting social security and medicare.
Historically, inflation has been lower during Democratic administrations than during Republican administrations. Even during this period of rising inflation, the Biden administration and congressional Democrats are pulling powerful levers to manage inflation rather than relying on the blunt instrument of the Federal Reserve. Democrats are more likely to pursue inflation-busting policies that promote economic stability, such as lowering prescription drug costs and supporting cost-of-living increases for social security. They are also less likely to engage in activities that could cause inflation, such as printing too much money or cutting taxes too much.
Reduced Income Inequality
Democrats have typically been associated with reduced income inequality, enacting those policies that attempt to reduce the destructive gap between the rich and the poor. Democrats as they are likely to support policies that help those at the bottom of the economic ladder, such as raising the minimum wage or providing healthcare assistance. Republicans, on the other hand, have typically supported policies that benefit those at the top of the economic ladder, such as tax cuts for the wealthy or deregulation of industries
Despite this clear reality, Democrats often fail at communicating their vision, capabilities, and successes. With the messaging of hate and fear seemingly winning the day, Democrats must learn to market their wins at governance better. While competency isn’t as quick, easy, and seductive as hate and fear mongering, it’s what we should expect from our leaders and representatives. Governance is what we pay them to do, and in November, it’s what we should vote for them to do.
