The solution involves taxing and regulating the wealthy, and investing directly in public works at a large scale–all which is utter heresy to the neoliberals that comprise both major parties and much of our civil service.

Our government and our representatives are not psychologically equipped to do the right thing. Fer chrissakes, Andrea Horwath’s platform was more right-wing than Mike Harris’ was in the late 90s, and she’s the progressive option.

We’ve had almost thirty years of not investing in society, of handing out cash and tax breaks like the supply-side pixie dust it is and just hoping that it’ll all work out. It hasn’t. And now, like someone who patted themselves on the back for saving money by not doing any home repairs for thirty years–and then blowing all the money we saved on a new boat and a trip to Vegas–we’re staring at a roof that’s collapsed and wondering what the hell we’re going to do.

The answer? Again, tax the wealthy. Marginal tax rates at 90% for the rich, corporate tax rates through the roof, increased taxes on capital gains, including unrealized ones, estate taxes: all of it. It should all be on the table, because we’ve let it get so bad that the only fixes are horrifically expensive. We should have done this twenty to thirty years ago. That would have been the best time. The next best time is now.

Will the rich leave? Sure they will. Fuck’em. Don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out. I’m sure someone equally smart but less greedy will pick up where the parasites left off.