The GOP’s Favorite Constituency
You see it in the Roberts Court. And as Corey Robin points out, you are seeing it in state legislature after state legislature across the country:
In 2010, the Republicans won control of the executive and legislative branches in 11 states (there are now more than 20 such states). Inspired by business groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, they proceeded to rewrite the rules of work, passing legislation designed to enhance the position of employers at the expense of employees.
The University of Oregon political scientist Gordon Lafer, who wrote an eye-opening report on this topic last October for the Economic Policy Institute, a liberal think tank in Washington, looked at dozens of bills affecting workers. The legislation involved unemployment insurance, the minimum wage, child labor, collective bargaining, sick days, even meal breaks. Despite frequent Republican claims to be defending local customs and individual liberty, Mr. Lafer found a “cookie-cutter” pattern to their legislation. Not only did it consistently favor employers over workers, it also tilted toward big government over local government. And it often abridged the economic rights of individuals.
They may talk about social conservative issues. They may talk about individual rights. But what they care about is their favorite constituent, big business.
Click here for reuse options!Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Stuart Shapiro
Stuart is a professor and the Director of the Public Policy
program at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers
University. He teaches economics and cost-benefit analysis and studies
regulation in the United States at both the federal and state levels.
Prior to coming to Rutgers, Stuart worked for five years at the Office
of Management and Budget in Washington under Presidents Clinton and
George W. Bush.
8 responses to The GOP’s Favorite Constituency
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Wells May 20th, 2014 at 19:01
Look at the two party system as Yin-Yang symbolism. The rightwing upholds individualism and competition. The leftwing upholds collectivism and cooperation. It should be obvious that ‘the majority’ holds many common views near the moderate middle. However, republican officials will address concerns by saying, “If you don’t like our policy, vote us out. This is a Republic.” And by republic, they mean, an elected republican becomes the decider hired to make policy decisions at the behest of the most influencial individuals, ie, the big boys of big business. Democrats, OTOH,
in order to serve the majority, of necessity must serve a fair proportion of conservative interests and often become centrist, unlike republican officials who have no intention
of serving even a majority of loyal republican voters.
Wells May 20th, 2014 at 19:01
Look at the two party system as Yin-Yang symbolism. The rightwing upholds individualism and competition. The leftwing upholds collectivism and cooperation. It should be obvious that ‘the majority’ holds many common views near the moderate middle. However, republican officials will address concerns by saying, “If you don’t like our policy, vote us out. This is a Republic.” And by republic, they mean, an elected republican becomes the decider hired to make policy decisions at the behest of the most influencial individuals, ie, the big boys of big business. Democrats, OTOH,
in order to serve the majority, of necessity must serve a fair proportion of conservative interests and often become centrist, unlike republican officials who have no intention
of serving even a majority of loyal republican voters.
AnthonyLook May 20th, 2014 at 20:31
Big Business and the lie loving racist zombies the tea party birther racists.
AnthonyLook May 20th, 2014 at 20:31
Big Business and the lie loving racist zombies the tea party birther racists.
fahvel May 21st, 2014 at 03:07
hey y’all, it’s a “market” economy with nothing to do with creative talented caring people – f’n mitts bottom line sht is all that it’s about and all of you have fallen for it from the fear imposed by bushie and his sick pals to the horror of Snowden exposing the TRUTH. As long as you stay afraid and as long as your capital is more important than your grand kids, stop complaining. The TP nuts are nuts but at least, in their utter ignorance, they presume to make overt gestures against what they don’t want or like – unlike the progressive left that pats itself on the corner and tweets amusingly amongst itself.
fahvel May 21st, 2014 at 03:07
hey y’all, it’s a “market” economy with nothing to do with creative talented caring people – f’n mitts bottom line sht is all that it’s about and all of you have fallen for it from the fear imposed by bushie and his sick pals to the horror of Snowden exposing the TRUTH. As long as you stay afraid and as long as your capital is more important than your grand kids, stop complaining. The TP nuts are nuts but at least, in their utter ignorance, they presume to make overt gestures against what they don’t want or like – unlike the progressive left that pats itself on the corner and tweets amusingly amongst itself.
Wells May 23rd, 2014 at 12:18
Okay, well, I’ll just leave a last note:
It bugs me that no takers gave thought to lots of my stuff here.
In least words, request bipartisan rejection(s) of policy, both, left/right.
Maybe a few explanations of who got fired and why. Is that too much to ask?
Seattle Washington State engineers are idiots. Do NOT award THAT construction
crowd the ‘least’ national responsibility for scientific advancement.
[Infrastructure. Some people have heard of it]
=SEATTLE PROBLEM=
Brenda diameter is 20′.
Bertha diameter 58′ near thrice.
Volume of tube ‘departure’ –
fairly solid soils across channel,
least solid settings on waterfront
plus weight, size, groundwater flows.
Predict Brenda fine.
Predict Bertha catastrophe!
Bertha given last name Wormtunnel.
“Bertha Wormtunnel” (discussion of ‘middle name’ ongoing)
Wells May 23rd, 2014 at 12:18
Okay, well, I’ll just leave a last note:
It bugs me that no takers gave thought to lots of my stuff here.
In least words, request bipartisan rejection(s) of policy, both, left/right.
Maybe a few explanations of who got fired and why. Is that too much to ask?
Seattle Washington State engineers are idiots. Do NOT award THAT construction
crowd the ‘least’ national responsibility for scientific advancement.
[Infrastructure. Some people have heard of it]
=SEATTLE PROBLEM=
Brenda diameter is 20′.
Bertha diameter 58′ near thrice.
Volume of tube ‘departure’ –
fairly solid soils across channel,
least solid settings on waterfront
plus weight, size, groundwater flows.
Predict Brenda fine.
Predict Bertha catastrophe!
Bertha given last name Wormtunnel.
“Bertha Wormtunnel” (discussion of ‘middle name’ ongoing)