Republican Name Change

The nerve of the working class makes the idlers blush.

   It's time the Republican Party dropped the alternative appellation of GOP (Grand Old Party) and became known by a new one -- the Grand Acquisitive Party.
   Its continuing plea to workers for support belies their actions, as shown again with their most recent attempt to "reform" the tax code, claiming it will benefit workers and middle income families more than the ultra-wealthy who are historically the base of the GAP.
   By preaching such "alternative facts" and not revealing any details of its latest attempt to switch more of the tax burden to workers and away from the wealthy, the GAP once again embraces the theory of "trickle down economics." This theory, which suggests that tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy will eventually trickle down to workers as companies expand their operations and hire more workers, has been proven false many times. Tax breaks do not, in fact, result in investment in more productive capacity and additional workers, but instead the money is used for stock buybacks and executive bonuses, which "increase shareholder value" and give senior management more cash, thus widening the gap between average workers and idle rich.
   Workers, however, have become aware of this alternative claim of reality and have spoken out, much to the embarrassment of the few super-rich with a semblance of conscience.
   Trickle down economics was discredited decades ago, but the Grand Acquisitive Party still pushes it as a magical cure all for economic woes.
   As if the American economy was still woefully unhealthy. The latest report from the Commerce Department said the U.S. enjoyed a growth rate of 3.1 percent in the second quarter, up from 1.2 percent in the first three months of 2017.
   In addition, industry profits rose by $14.4 billion in the second quarter, in contrast to a drop of $46.2 billion in the first quarter.
   Nevertheless, Republican Party money mavens insist more help (to them) is needed.
  Reality check: The economy is not sick, despite their self-serving claims. U.S. GDP has been healthy and grown for some seven years, perhaps the longest period of expansion since the Great Depression.
   Will it continue? With careful management by responsible, conscientious government officials, probably yes. But if radical changes in the tax system shovel more cash to the already rich at the expense of the struggling middle class, the result will be an even wider gap between those who work because they must and those who care only for their wallets.
   And that includes the new guy in the Oval Office.
   The working class is building its nerve to demand accountability from the idlers.