9/8/17
Article Houston, Bangladesh, And Global Warming A first look at the author and how he has revealed some hints about his overall style and voice.
Baker wrote this article a few days after Hurricane Harvey hit Texas. At a simple analysis, Dean Baker is an avid believer in global warming. He invokes a tattered and destroyed city like Houston to direct attention to a similar place that receives the same Harvey-esque destruction for every few years or so, Bangladesh. But why? Is it the fault of the president that he calls a "rich jerk"? It should be the fault of the continuation, of pollution. That is what Baker hits the mark on, straightforward, no sugarcoating. He's harsh. He does not simply contrast the difference between Houston and Bangladesh in a way that makes sense, but he brings the two together to say that we have wrought upon ourselves and the rest of the world this environmental shift by letting a few decide to release these emissions into the atmosphere. His fashion in this article would obviously not be a hit with his political opposites, or any dissident of global warming.
10/07/17
Article
The Republicans Anti-Growth Tax Plan
Dean Baker, by his role as a financial director alone, proves as a commentator on economic events. He writes for experts to read. When Republicans outline a tax plan, it is a contender for Baker. By Huffpost being a liberal-centric website, Baker's opinions most likely go against what the Republicans believe their plan will do. The tax plan itself is focused on tax cuts for the rich and more "gaming"--as Baker calls it--meaning more surprise fluctuations in rates for the lower and middle classes. He suggests that it will allow for more manipulation of lower income brackets rather than higher earners. The business advantages that Republicians give prove to not be great for us in the long run, as he says, "The Republican plan removes the issue of companies squirreling money overseas, but gives them even more incentive to have their profits show up in tax havens like Ireland." Baker is educated on taxes and how they affect taxpayers, and it shows through his complex, graduated tone that contains multiple uses of jargon. It's quite difficult for anyone except the economically literate to read.
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"Dean Baker has been the co-director of the Center for Economic Policy Research since 1979. He previously was an economist at the Economic Policy Institute. He has written numerous books and articles, including Getting Back to Full Employment: A Better Bargain for Working People (with Jared Bernstein) and The End of Loser Liberalism: Making Markets Progressive. His newest book is Rigged:How Globalization and the Rules of the Modern Economy Were Structured to Make the Rich Richer (forthcoming, 2016)." 12/21/17
Article
Mick Mulvaney And The Bad Actors Club
This article was posted 11 days ago, and its subject--Mick Mulvaney--was appointed as the acting head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau the month before. Dean Baker really takes on the role of commentator, and is not shy of criticizing Trump's choices of appointment. This article makes a very professional attempt to persuade people of the dangerous effectiveness of his choices and how it affects consumers in the process. After all, a head that is a self-proclaimed "right-wing nut job" should be a signal to an inefficient leader. His tone is determined, and logical.
3/6/18
Article
State Employer Side Payroll Taxes And Loser Liberalism
Liberals are not doing well with their politics in economics. Dean Baker understands this from his own point of view. This article hints to his political identity as a liberal. Baker starts off the article by saying, "There’s an old line that the definition of a liberal is someone who won’t take their own side in an argument." From that, his argument spins around the fact that the liberal states won't stand for the Republican standard. These states support themselves with high taxes to provide systems to the public. He even makes the point that the Republican tax--by making higher incomes pay higher taxes-- is similar to targeting certain ethnicities. Again, Baker comes at us with situational understanding. His tone is very affirmative for the liberal states to work with their own style of taxation. The words he uses are a little too professional to understand casually, and aims more toward financial experts than ever.
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