EPI just put out two very interesting papers (on full employment and demand-led growth) that challenge the wisdom of low-impact macroeconomic policy. Two general points:

• There doesn't have to be a trade-off between efficiency and fairness. Indeed, policies could generate demand-led growth partly by ensuring that work was fairly rewarded.
• Government can play a constructive role in the economy- guaranteeing fair wages, promoting growth, ensuring full employment. The best it can do isn't just to "get out of the way."

Inclusion has put a challenge to the progressive policy community. What is an all-encompassing issue that nobody really knows exists? According to this logic, alternative and less familiar ways of framing rising economic inequality and insecurity aren't viable because they don't show up on the pollster's static list of "issues." But this ignores Perlstein's most important insight, that "the greatest politicians create their own issues, ones that no one knew existed." (An insight I couldn't help but notice that is very similar to my favorite one of the late philospher Richard Rorty: "the talent for speaking differently, rather for arguing well, is the chief instrument of cultural change.") Here's a shot: exploitation and economic fairness.

The Emanuel amendment to the Financial Services/General Government appropriations bill, which would have defunded part of the Office of Vice President, failed by a vote of 209 to 217 (roll call). The amendment was an attempt to get the OVP to comply with a request for information regarding the US attorneys scandal (See this Think Progress post for more). Correction: Vice President Cheney's claim was about classified material, which, under an executive order, a National Archives offices oversees (link).

Congressional Democrats, still smarting from their perceived capitulation in May to President Bush on ending the war on Iraq, are serving notice that their next stand will come during the debate next month on H.R. 1585, the half-a-trillion-dollar Defense Department FY 2008 reauthorization bill. According to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chair of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) H.R. 1585 will feature "timelines, parameters, accountability, and a pathway" to remove U.S. fighting men and women from Iraq.