Funding of the proposed Obamacare health plan is hitting a snag when it comes to sticking it to the rich. Too many Democrats now represent the districts that those wealthy live in. Raising taxes on those who funded your campaigns can be political suicide.
Rep. Michael McMahon, a freshman Democrat from New York City’s borough of Staten Island says, “There could come a time when Democrats are in open rebellion.”
Democrats owe their election gains to those more affluent districts. Of the 25 richest districts, 14 are represented by Democrats, according to Congressional Quarterly. In 1995, Democrats represented just five of those districts.
Recently elected Democrats from higher-income areas also have been cautious about legislation that would make it easier for labor unions to organize, and about legislation imposing tough new rules on banks.
And, it is Republicans who are always accused to catering to the rich?