ROBERT REICH: "We're not in trouble because gays want to marry"

[hay rick]

7. Agree.

Obama is (finally) doing the right thing on the "bedroom" issues but he has done next to nothing on the "boardroom" issues and there is no reason to think that is going to change.

His defenders will point to the obstructionist Republicans and his support for the "Buffett rule." It's true that the Republicans will not allow meaningful budget and tax reform, but they do not control the bully pulpit. In discussing the economy, Obama can set the context. He can talk about 91% top marginal tax rates during the high growth rate 50s and 60s. He does not. He can talk about rising income shares for the 1% (rising from 8.3% in 1981 to 22.8% by 2007). He does not. He could have offered some support or at least waved hello in Madison, Wisconsin and Zuccotti Park. He did not. He appointed members of the catfood commission, not the Republicans.

I give the President credit for doing the right thing in coming out in support of same-sex marriage. I will give him credit for courage when he sticks his neck out for working people.