By Ibrahima Drame

A recent post in the Daily Kos by Mark Sumners alluded to a “Second Gilded Age” when discussing America’s rising private fortunes and its failing public projects. Nothing illustrates this baffling contrast better than Congress’ decision to abandon the Superconducting Super-Collider, a groundbreaking scientific research project due to concerns over the deficit, when at the same time, America’s billionaires are adding more to their already massive wealth.

Sumners attributes this situation to Reagan era supply-side tax cuts which, he believes had actually diverted public funds to private pockets under the pretense of encouraging job creation….