Why Is Washington Reducing the Deficit Instead of Creating Jobs?

December 7, 2012 | J. Mijin Cha

 

This Demos Explainer explores the tension between political support for deficit reduction versus job creation and economic security policies.

Most available research indicates a significant difference in priorities between the majority of Americans and the affluent that comprise the political donor class, which may explain the current bi-partisan drive for deficit reduction at the expense of stimulus policies, in spite of persistent high unemployment.