Common Sense Policies For America
STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY AND PUSH BACK AGAINST FASCISM
Our democracy needs millions of us to stand up and push back against the fascism of the Trump administration and the Republicans. PLEASE support and participate in a No Kings event on Saturday, March 28. Here are some reasons to stand up and push back, as well as how to find a nearby event.
THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS Part 4
The U.S. affordability crisis is multifaceted and has been growing for 45 years, caused by low pay and high prices. Many factors have been depressing workers’ pay including the failure to raise the minimum wage, the weakening of unions, globalization, gig work, and reduced competition for workers.
THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS Part 3
The affordability crisis in the U.S. has many factors pushing up prices, including premiumization of markets, profit-taking middlemen, and the failure to enforce antitrust laws. The Trump administration is doing nothing that affectively addresses the crisis, while many of its actions exacerbate it.
THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS Part 2
The affordability crisis (aka cost of living crisis) in the U.S. is multifaceted and has been growing for 45 years, due to low pay and high prices. There are many factors pushing up prices well beyond normal inflation, including profit-taking middlemen and privatization of public goods and services.
THE MANY FACES OF THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS
The U.S. affordability crisis is multifaceted and has been growing for 45 years, driven by low pay and high prices. Many factors push up prices including monopolistic price gouging, tariffs, personalized pricing driven by AI, profit-taking middlemen, privatization, and premiumization of markets.
REINING IN ICE Part 2
The revulsion at the violence, cruelty, lawlessness, and killings by ICE and CBP is growing. Please contact your U.S. Senators and Representative NOW and ask them to block funding for ICE, CBP, and DHS until major reforms make them compliant with the rule of law and the best practices of policing.
REINING IN ICE
ICE’s lawlessness, cruelty, and violence are well documented. PLEASE contact your U.S. Senators NOW. Ask them to block ICE’s budget until thorough, local investigations of ICE killings are underway and unless it includes strong accountability and transparency measures.
BLUNTING THE IMPACT OF BIG MONEY IN ELECTIONS
Big money is corrupting our elections and elected officials. There are ways to blunt its impact that can be taken now by Democratic Party officials and by state and municipal governments. Contact them and encourage them to act now to blunt the impact of big money in our political system.
DEMOCRATS AND ELECTIONS
Two key questions for 2026: Will we have fair and honest elections? What do the Democrats need to do to win – and win big? I encourage you to contact your state election officials, as well as national and state Democratic Party leaders and elected officials. This post provides answers and messages.
GOOD NEWS TO START THE NEW YEAR
2025 was a horrible year for American democracy. However, many good things did happen; here are some of them. Let’s keep up the activism and resistance in 2026. And let’s get out to vote and get everyone we know out to vote. That will make it a much better year than 2025 was. Happy New Year!
ALTERNATIVES TO THE HUGE, BILLIONAIRE-OWNED NEWS AND MEDIA COMPANIES
The huge, billionaire-owned news and media companies are not providing voters with the information needed for a well-functioning democracy. Abandon these biased, corporate news sources for independent, typically viewer / reader supported, non-profit sources, such as those identified here.
FIXES FOR HUGE, BILLIONAIRE-OWNED NEWS AND MEDIA COMPANIES
Huge news and media companies are dangerous and harmful. They control the information and disinformation we receive. They are not providing voters with the information they need to maintain a well-functioning democracy. Here are steps to rein in and compensate for their dangers and harm.
THE DANGERS OF HUGE FOR-PROFIT NEWS AND MEDIA COMPANIES
Consolidation in the news and media industry over the last 40 years includes TV, radio, print, and social media. The profit motive drives the promotion of divisive and culture war messages, while minimizing local reporting. This undermines civic engagement, perverts politics, and harms democracy.
THE DANGERS OF MEDIA CONSOLIDATION AND BILLIONAIRE OWNERS
Huge mega-companies are harmful because they have monopolistic powers. Consolidation in the media and news industry under billionaire owners is concerning because they control the information we receive. Biased “news” means voters don’t get the information they need for a well-functioning democracy.
PUBLIC POLICIES TO REDUCE ECONOMIC INEQUALITY IN AMERICA
Economic inequality is at record levels. The American oligarchy is powerfully wielding its power. Here are policies to address economic inequality. If Democrats want to win elections, they should support policies to reduce economic inequality and create a secure economic future for all Americans.
WHAT EVERYDAY AMERICANS WANT FROM GOVERNMENT Part 2
Many Americans are worried about the cost of living. Government policies can reduce or control the costs of everyday expenses. If Democrats or others want to garner support and votes, they should aggressively promote such policies. Here are some examples.
WHAT EVERYDAY AMERICANS WANT FROM GOVERNMENT
Americans are worried about the cost of living. Government policies can increase the pay and benefits they get, as well as reduce the cost of living. If Democrats want support and votes, they should unequivocally advocate for policies that would improve the affordability of everyday life.
EVERY REPUBLICAN WHO DOESN’T STAND UP SHARES THE BLAME
Every Republican, especially those in Congress, who does not resist the undemocratic and illegal actions of Trump and his administration shares the blame for what’s happening. The Republican Party of Trump is a dark shadow of its former self. Many past Republican leaders would be horrified.
A SUCCESS FOR DEMOCRACY: PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FINANCING
The US campaign finance system is corrupt. Wealthy individuals and corporations buy candidates. Public matching funds systems democratize campaign financing by amplifying the voices of everyday Americans. New York City’s system has allowed Mamdani to run a competitive race for Mayor.
CRYPTO AND AI PRESENT ECONOMIC RISKS
The crytpo and AI industries present serious risks to the U.S. economy. They may be economic bubbles whose bursting would have serious negative effects. Crypto is a Ponzi scheme. Both industries pose serious threats to the environment and are vulnerable to China’s control of rare earth minerals.