Reaganomics is officially dead. Years of tax cuts for the rich did not create jobs, they only increased the economic divide. Along the way, these ideas radically changed America for the worse. Republicans created a nation that is sicker, weaker, poorer, angrier, and more divided than ever.
But how did this happen? Why did Americans believe the lies of President Reagan?
Republicans learned to frame, and they began reframing American politics in the late 1950s. Framing is telling your story and controlling how people receive your message. Reaganomics framing was complete in 1980 when people believed Ronald Reagan when he said, ‘government is the problem’. Reagan’s goal was to create a system that allowed his donors to greedily operate without regard for people’s mental, physical, and financial health. That frame was accepted by everyone – Republicans, Democrats, and the media. Since then, we have eliminated government support for people and delivered tax cuts for the wealthy.
In 2021 we entered a new era – one based on liberal frames. Like many things in life, this happened slowly, and then quickly. Many people worked for years to frame based on our liberal values. But it was the election of President Biden with his big, bold plans to end COVID and create a better America that changed the frame quickly. President Biden is a living, breathing example of our liberal values – empathy, responsibility for each other, and the common good. Democrats saw the need to empower all communities. Much of the frame or ‘story’ told today is that good government makes people’s lives better.
We are now in the era of Bidenomics - support directly to most Americans, to drive growth for everyone. This is bottom-up economics, exactly the reverse of trickle down and Reaganomics.
It began with President Biden’s Inauguration: “Together we shall write an American story of hope, not fear. Of unity, not division. Of light, not darkness. A story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness.”
It continues as President Biden proposed the American Rescue Plan and the American Jobs Plan:
“It is a once-in-a-generation investment in America.”
“These are investments we have to make.”
“This is the moment that America won the future."
“For too long in this society, we have celebrated unrestrained individualism over common community.”
“The American Jobs Plan is the largest American jobs investment since World War II.”
Help is Here.
When we elect Democrats, working people have more opportunities and better support. Our fundamental rights are restored and protected.
The American Rescue Plan is the most consequential piece of legislation for working families in modern American history. It is a historic response to the moment of crisis we face and will make a real difference in the lives of Americans by creating jobs, providing economic relief, and defeating this virus.
President Biden’s reframing of America, based on our liberal frames, is grounded in our liberal values. Democrats care about each other. Democrats are responsible for each other. Democrats know that good government will give us an America for everyone. For many of us who have organized for a long time, these are exciting days. We will continue to push and fight and organize to make our liberal values a reality for all.
With the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on January 20, 2021, we celebrated a new era of empathy and good government. We are at the end of the Reagan revolution with their lies that government was the problem or tax cuts would trickle down. President Biden and Democrats give us a new America, one that includes everyone. Long live Bidenomics!