Commentary: Definition of "radicalism": the beliefs or actions of people who advocate thorough or complete political or social reform. Our news pundits toss the word "radical" around attempting to denigrate newly-elected Congressional Democrats. Allow me to list a few "radical" policies:
- Radical: 2009 corporate bailouts, rather than adding jobs or increasing wages, enabled CEOs and stockholders to receive generous bonuses and stock buy-backs.
- Radical: 2018 tax cuts for top brackets caused the deficit to increase up to the trillions. 2018 changes to IRS tax codes result in reducing 2018 tax refunds.
- Radical: Economists state "wealth concentration has returned to the excesses of the roaring twenties" - a radical rise in wealth for the super rich.
- Radical: The upsurge in billionaires and their share of this nation's capital from poor to rich. After WWII, the middle class grew and wage earners got raises and benefits. The 1980s saw the beginning of stagnant workers' wages, benefits cuts and layoffs, yet the 1% grew much wealthier.
Another definition for radicalism is "revisionism". I see many reasons for strong "revisionism" in my nation's direction. Quite a few newly-elected Democrats are talking revisions to the U.S. income tax code, perhaps increasing rates to the 1960-1970 levels. Senator Elizabeth Warren is suggesting that "wealth" be taxed. What this means is the property of the very wealthy, property that will pass to descendants, such as second homes, yachts, luxury condos, private jets and valuable collections; should be taxed when those properties have value above $10 million dollars.
What is truly radical is the fact a few very powerful people, over several decades, have managed to bribe politicians to write laws that are affecting wage earners negatively.
I believe it is about three decades past time for radicals to enact a lot of revisions.