Obviously our biggest economic problem right now is that one entire party has no incentive or desire to do anything to create jobs and has, indeed, demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that they do not want job growth.
The only solution is to find an incentive they're willing to work for and there too the answer is blindingly obvious. What do Republicans care about more than anything else? Tax cuts for the rich. And conveniently enough the Bush tax cuts expire soon.
My suggestion? A pledge, a legislative hostage, a trigger - the same tools they have effectively used against us:
We get 41 Senators to sign a pledge to use the filibuster to tie any extension in whole or part of Bush tax cuts for the rich directly to the unemployment rate on Dec 1, 2012.
The details could be worked out but one example would be to set a reasonable unemployment target - say 6% - and promise that the marginal tax rates for income over $250,000 will go up by 2.5 percentage points for every point unemployment is over the target on 12/1/2012. If unemployment is still 9% then the top rates will go up at least 7.5% points [(9-6) x 2.5], if unemployment is at 7% then the rates would go 2.5 points, etc. And the pledge will be to absolutely filibuster ANY extension bill with a smaller increase. Hey we could even get generous and pledge to REDUCE the top rate if unemployment is below 5%.
The message to the GOP is simple....tax rates on the rich WILL go up unless you start seriously addressing jobs RIGHT NOW.
Can we get 41 Senators willing to take a stand and play hardball for jobs? I don't know. Do we have ANY other leverage to get Republican support for job creation? No.