No Worker Left Behind

Why aren’t Republican presidential candidates talking more about job training?

Wherever they go on the campaign trail, candidates are asked about off-shoring, layoffs, and wages. Despite the strong U.S. economy and near full employment, middle class anxiety is real.

Hardly a day goes by that some Democratic candidate doesn’t speak about the struggles of the middle class family in the age of globalization.
Democrats campaigned last November on responding to working family angst through a minimum wage increase. Republicans often respond that they would help at-risk workers through job skills, yet they lack specifics.

If they believe skills are the answer, it’s time for Republican candidates to offer bold new job skill plans.

Democrats smell blood on the issue of middle class economic anxiety. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, writes in his new book, “(Americans) are unsure of their footing in the economy.... They feel they are alone to navigate the contours of change and that government isn’t really helping them where they need it.”

For the complete issue brief, please see the attached PDF version below.