Questions for Republicans Others Are Too Punk to Ask

The mainstream media is content to let the GOP presidential candidates dictate the agenda of the campaign. A consequence is that they are seldom called out to defend the ramifications of their proposals.

For instance, it goes unchallenged that the only way to solve America’s fiscal mess is to limit spending. No one sees fit to remind the candidates that we have a revenue problem, as well. See Felix Salmon’s post showing that “federal taxes are the lowest in 60 years…If the taxes reverted to somewhere near their historical mean, the problem would be solved at a stroke.”

Another consequence to a candidate driven campaign is that large segments of the American population are not hearing their concerns addressed. I’ve heard few plans from the candidates specifically addressing job creation, urban development, America’s crumbling infrastructure, ensuring a top education for all children or entitlement reform.

Instead, what I’ve heard is talk about faith, values and tax cuts. As if praying about your taxes or whether or not your gay neighbor can be a good parent will help repair bridges or unemployed Americans get jobs.

By way of illustration, how much time have the candidates addressed the Latino community other than to say they want to build a bigger, longer, higher, sharper wall to keep them out?

How much time have the candidates addressed the Black community other than Rick Santorum disparaging comments about blacks and welfare or Newt Gingrich’s paternalistic comments about Black people demanding paychecks, not food aid? Thanks for the stereotype, Newt. Thanks for reaching out.

Because the media will not ask hard questions like I will submit three to get the conversation started:

1. “How will your tax plans aid middle and working-class Americans when the evidence is clear that your policies have an ever larger upper-class bias than George W. Bush’s?”

2. “Given the historical evidence that trickle-down economics does not lead to a tide that lifts all boat, will you please just admit that your plans favor the rich?”

Or, to put it more succinctly:

3. “What’s your beef with the 99%?”

I’ll try not to fall asleep waiting for an answer.

MARVIN KING received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of North Texas and is now an Associate Professor of Political Science with a joint appointment in the African American Studies Program at the University of Mississippi. He conducts research into how political institutions affect African American politics. Marvin is available for public speaking engagements and you can follow him on Twitter @kingpolitics

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