Common Sense Policies For America
THE ESCALATING CORRUPTION IN OUR ELECTIONS
The corruption of Trump and his cronies is omnipresent. The November elections are an opportunity for election and campaign contribution corruption. Trump is using government money in efforts to buy votes, while big campaign contributors get tangible benefits from the Trump administration.
HOW THE RICH BENEFIT FROM THE RECORD HIGH FEDERAL DEBT
The federal debt was $1 trillion in 1980 and now is $40 trillion due to Republican tax cuts and increased military spending. Wealthy individuals and corporations pay less in taxes and get lots of interest from government bonds. The rest of us are hurt by high inflation and interest rates.
RESIST GOVERNMENT USE OF ID.me FOR IDENTITY VERIFICATION
Our governments should not be requiring us to provide personal identity information to a private, for-profit company in order to access government programs and information. It costs taxpayers money and their privacy. Boycott this if you can and contact your elected officials to protest.
ENDING SURPRISE HEALTH CARE BILLING COSTS LOTS OF MONEY
The 2020 No Surprises Act set up an arbitration process so patients didn’t get huge surprise medical bills. The result was profits for corporate capitalists and huge health care costs and waste. Patients pay for this through increased premiums with no improvements in health care quality or outcomes.
UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE SAVES LOTS OF LIVES AND MONEY
A universal, single-payer U.S. health care system could save 100,000 lives and $1 trillion. However, capitalism has corrupted health care, putting profits before patients, so the six corporations dominating Big Medicine with over $2 trillion in revenue and $34 billion in profits must be broken up.
CAPITALISM HAS CORRUPTED HEALTH CARE
Capitalism and its pursuit of profits have corrupted our health care system, resulting in the most expensive system in the world, but one that delivers poor outcomes. Three elements have driven this corruption: corporate consolidation, private equity, and privatization.
CORPORATE AMERICA IS WRECKING CAPITALISM
Trump’s deal with corporate elites is corrupt and undermines democracy. We all pay financially and with our freedom. Gerard Baker of The Wall Street Journal has written two columns that make a powerful statement about the damage America’s corporate elites and their style of capitalism have done.
TRUMP AND HIS REGIME DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU
President Trump and his regime don’t care about you and aren’t protecting your health, safety, or financial security. Here are some examples of actions they have taken that put you at risk.
PROGRESSIVES ARE WINNING ELECTIONS BY FOCUSING ON AFFORDABILITY, FAIRNESS, AND CORRUPTION
Strong progressive election results are continuing. Voters are making it clear that their top issues are the unaffordability of daily life, the corruption in our politics, fairness in our economy, and strong, effective opposition to the Trump regime.
THE TRUMP FAMILY’S SAUDI ARABIAN CONNECTIONS Part 3
The Trump family’s relationships with Saudi Arabia and its ruler involve billions of dollars of investments and real estate deals. These conflicts of interest and apparent corruption are unprecedented. There are many accessories, and there should be many investigations and prosecutions.
THE TRUMP FAMILY’S SAUDI ARABIAN CONNECTIONS Part 2
Trump’s friendly relationship with Saudi Arabia and its ruler is evident in his administration’s sales to them of military equipment and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and his visits to Saudi Arabia. Trump’s extravagant military spending and sales have been called the “Bloody New Deal.”
THE TRUMP FAMILY’S SAUDI ARABIAN CONNECTIONS Part 1
The Trump administration’s deal to support a Saudi Arabian nuclear energy program represents a major shift in U.S. policy and risks accelerating the nuclear arms race in the Middle East and globally. It has put a spotlight on the Trump family’s relationship with Saudi Arabia and its ruler.
IS TRUMP THE REAL COMMUNIST IN AMERICAN POLITICS?
Trump is the only politician calling for and taking government control of private companies and resources. At his direction, the government has taken stakes in at least nine companies. On the other hand, democratic socialists in the U.S. today are in the historical mainstream and are not communists.
ARE THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATS LISTENING?
Are national Democrats listening? The public is yelling and voting based on affordability and corruption. Progressive, grassroots candidates are beating incumbents and winning even in conservative districts. Many of these candidates are young, female, multicultural, and/or new to politics.
AI NEEDS STRONG REGULATION
Artificial intelligence (AI) needs strong regulation because its effects are far-reaching and powerful. U.S. Representative Khanna states that a robust federal agency is needed to regulate AI and has put forth seven principles for a new social compact to address the issues of AI and inequality.
BIG TECH NEEDS STRONG REGULATION
Big Tech needs strong regulation due to its potential for great benefit and great harm, especially artificial intelligence (AI). An innovative regulation of AI would be to have the government seize 50% of AI companies’ stock, putting the shares in a sovereign wealth fund to benefit all Americans.
CORPORATE OLIGARCHS HAVE BEEN UNDERMINING DEMOCRACY FOR 45 YEARS
Trump is the culmination of decades of work by wealthy individuals and CEOs (America’s oligarchs) undermining democracy & skewing government policy. This has led to high income & wealth inequality. Many Americans have lost their economic security, as well as their faith in government & democracy.
THERE’S GOOD NEWS AND LOTS OF IT!
Despite all the bad news, there’s lots of good news. Democrats in Congress are increasing their resistance. State level action is critically important. I don’t condone gerrymandering, but I do believe in fighting fire with fire. Lots of good news in Jess Craven’s blog’s weekly good news edition.
HARMFUL POLICIES OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
The Trump administration policies are doing wide-ranging harm to people and our society. We need to protest and resist to convince elected officials, business and academic leaders, and others to stand up and push back.
PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN A “MAKE GOOD TROUBLE” PROTEST ON THURS., 7/17
PLEASE participate in a Make Good Trouble protest on Thurs., July 17. The Trump administration continues its assaults on our democracy and on the safety and well-being of Americans. We and our elected officials need to step up our resistance and make it clear we oppose the administration’s actions.