For Republicans, the problem runs deeper than Romney's persona. The GOP's economic message is well past its 1980 expiration date. It is not enough to promote growth in an economy where a personal benefit from overall growth is far from assured. Economic mobility is increasingly connected to education, skills and strong families. The traditional, Republican, pro-business agenda is necessary, but it does not adequately grapple with these human needs — the prerequisites for personal prosperity.
Republicans like to defend economic success. They need to show more creativity in making economic advancement a realistic prospect — by promoting, say, high school and college completion, or increasing the rewards for work, or providing practical help to families with children. Moving forward, the GOP's task is not only to make capitalism more efficient; it is to make capitalism work for everyone.
Michael Gerson's email address is michaelgerson@washpost.com.
- Dan Liljenquist: Chaffetz's search for truth...
- In our opinion: Frances B. Monson's...
- Matthew Sanders: Imploding trust in America's...
- Michael Gerson: As government's ambitions...
- What others say: Assault on core values
- Letters: Deception and government
- Letters: Paycheck Fairness Act
- My view: Climate argument is shortsighted
Subscribe
Mobile
RSS
Good to see that some conservatives finally "get it". Our economy has not been working for average Americans for a long time now. Wages and benefits are stagnating or are in outright decline, while the spoils accruing to the wealthiest are More..
This editorial contains a few fragments of good thought. But it stops far short of where it should. One need look no further than the debacle playing out at Hostess Brands.
Unions did not destroy this company. It was destroyed by poor More..
Capitalism certainly can and does work for all but not nearly as well as it used to.
The "capitalism pie" can be shared by all, but that requires that everyone's slice is a bit smaller. That used to be acceptable. It no More..