View Full Version : An Economic Agenda for America: 12 Steps Forward
The American people must make a fundamental decision. Do we continue the 40-year decline of our middle class and the growing gap between the very rich and everyone else, or do we fight for a progressive economic agenda that creates jobs, raises wages, protects the environment and provides health care for all? Are we prepared to take on the enormous economic and political power of the billionaire class, or do we continue to slide into economic and political oligarchy? These are the most important questions of our time, and how we answer them will determine the future of our country.
The long-term deterioration of the middle class, accelerated by the Wall Street crash of 2008, has not been pretty. Today, we have more wealth and income inequality than any major country on earth. We have one of the highest childhood poverty rates and we are the only country in the industrialized world which does not guarantee health care for all. We once led the world in terms of the percentage of our people who graduated college, but we are now in 12th place. Our infrastructure, once the envy of the world, is collapsing.
Real unemployment today is not 5.8 percent, it is 11.5 percent if we include those who have given up looking for work or who are working part time when they want to work full time. Youth unemployment is 18.6 percent and African-American youth unemployment is 32.6 percent.
Today, millions of Americans are working longer hours for lower wages. In inflation-adjusted dollars, the median male worker earned $783 less last year than he made 41 years ago. The median woman worker made $1,337 less last year than she earned in 2007. Since 1999, the median middle-class family has seen its income go down by almost $5,000 after adjusting for inflation, now earning less than it did 25 years ago.
The American people must demand that Congress and the White House start protecting the interests of working families, not just wealthy campaign contributors. We need federal legislation to put the unemployed back to work, to raise wages and make certain that all Americans have the health care and education they need for healthy and productive lives.
As Vermont's senator, here are 12 initiatives that I will be fighting for which can restore America's middle class.
1. Rebuilding Our Roads
We need a major investment to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure: roads, bridges, water systems, waste water plants, airports, railroads and schools. It has been estimated that the cost of the Bush-Cheney Iraq War, a war we should never have waged, will total $3 trillion by the time the last veteran receives needed care. A $1 trillion investment in infrastructure could create 13 million decent paying jobs and make this country more efficient and productive. We need to invest in infrastructure, not more war.
2. Reversing Climate Change
The United States must lead the world in reversing climate change and make certain that this planet is habitable for our children and grandchildren. We must transform our energy system away from fossil fuels and into energy efficiency and sustainable energies. Millions of homes and buildings need to be weatherized, our transportation system needs to be energy efficient and we need to greatly accelerate the progress we are already seeing in wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and other forms of sustainable energy. Transforming our energy system will not only protect the environment, it will create good paying jobs.
3. Creating Jobs
We need to develop new economic models to increase job creation and productivity. Instead of giving huge tax breaks to corporations which ship our jobs to China and other low-wage countries, we need to provide assistance to workers who want to purchase their own businesses by establishing worker-owned cooperatives. Study after study shows that when workers have an ownership stake in the businesses they work for, productivity goes up, absenteeism goes down and employees are much more satisfied with their jobs.
4. Protecting Unions
Union workers who are able to collectively bargain for higher wages and benefits earn substantially more than non-union workers. Today, corporate opposition to union organizing makes it extremely difficult for workers to join a union. We need legislation which makes it clear that when a majority of workers sign cards in support of a union, they can form a union.
5. Raising the Wage
The current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour is a starvation wage. We need to raise the minimum wage to a living wage. No one in this country who works 40 hours a week should live in poverty.
6. Pay Equity
Women workers today earn 78 percent of what their male counterparts make. We need pay equity in our country -- equal pay for equal work.
7. Making Trade Work for Workers
Since 2001 we have lost more than 60,000 factories in this country, and more than 4.9 million decent-paying manufacturing jobs. We must end our disastrous trade policies (NAFTA, CAFTA, PNTR with China, etc.) which enable corporate America to shut down plants in this country and move to China and other low-wage countries. We need to end the race to the bottom and develop trade policies which demand that American corporations create jobs here, and not abroad.
8. Cutting College Costs
In today's highly competitive global economy, millions of Americans are unable to afford the higher education they need in order to get good-paying jobs. Further, with both parents now often at work, most working-class families can't locate the high-quality and affordable child care they need for their kids. Quality education in America, from child care to higher education, must be affordable for all. Without a high-quality and affordable educational system, we will be unable to compete globally and our standard of living will continue to decline.
9. Breaking Up Big Banks
The function of banking is to facilitate the flow of capital into productive and job-creating activities. Financial institutions cannot be an island unto themselves, standing as huge profit centers outside of the real economy. Today, six huge Wall Street financial institutions have assets equivalent to 61 percent of our gross domestic product - over $9.8 trillion. These institutions underwrite more than half the mortgages in this country and more than two-thirds of the credit cards. The greed, recklessness and illegal behavior of major Wall Street firms plunged this country into the worst financial crisis since the 1930s. They are too powerful to be reformed. They must be broken up.
10. Bringing Health Care to All
The United States must join the rest of the industrialized world and recognize that health care is a right of all, and not a privilege. Despite the fact that more than 40 million Americans have no health insurance, we spend almost twice as much per capita on health care as any other nation. We need to establish a Medicare-for-all, single-payer system.
11. Ending Poverty
Millions of seniors live in poverty and we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major country. We must strengthen the social safety net, not weaken it. Instead of cutting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and nutrition programs, we should be expanding these programs.
12. Stopping Tax Dodging Corporations
At a time of massive wealth and income inequality, we need a progressive tax system in this country which is based on ability to pay. It is not acceptable that major profitable corporations have paid nothing in federal income taxes, and that corporate CEOs in this country often enjoy an effective tax rate which is lower than their secretaries. It is absurd that we lose over $100 billion a year in revenue because corporations and the wealthy stash their cash in offshore tax havens around the world. The time is long overdue for real tax reform.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8ffgQhX0kSA
ELVIS
12-04-2014, 04:25 PM
13. Refusing to buy into the anti-American, progressive-liberal bullshit
ELVIS
12-04-2014, 04:28 PM
14. Purchase more firearms
What exactly is "anti American" about anything this great Patriotic American, Senator Sanders has said here?
DONNIEP
12-04-2014, 05:10 PM
14. Purchase more firearms
Did my part already two months ago.
14. Purchase more firearms
As long as they are made in America at a gun factory that uses union labor and pays liveable wages, sure why not?
DONNIEP
12-04-2014, 05:42 PM
Ruger - 100% American Made. And a good bit of Para's line up is made right here in NC, about 45 minutes from here. Although you gots to be careful - several Para models are still made in Canada and you know how sneaky those Canadians are!
ELVIS
12-04-2014, 05:47 PM
Picked up another Mossberg on a Black Friday sale...
ELVIS
12-04-2014, 05:48 PM
As long as they are made in America at a gun factory that uses union labor and pays liveable wages, sure why not?
Fuck unions and a "living wage."
I'm for small business and free market competition...
Fuck unions and a "living wage."
I'm for small business and free market competition...
Free market competition ceased to exist after Reagan and the BCE assaulted the UNIONS and FDR's regulations, which protected the country for half a century. Now, just about every industry on the planet is dominated by a collusion of 4 or 5 multinational corporations and competing against them is impossible.
twonabomber
12-04-2014, 07:53 PM
Picked up another Mossberg on a Black Friday sale...
500? Been considering one of those.
Hardrock69
12-04-2014, 08:41 PM
13. Refusing to buy into the anti-American, progressive-liberal bullshit
Let me guess...you are the first in your family to walk upright?
So trying to help our country is seen by you (Expert on All Things) as anti-American?
So you are saying that the destruction of our country is the best thing that could happen?
You sound like one of them there KOMMUNISTS!!!!!!!! Yew bettur go tel the brethrin at the militia meating that the Feds been reeding yur mumblings fer kwite sum time.
R U abull to unerstand my say English? No?
Hardrock69
12-04-2014, 08:43 PM
:hee:
ashstralia
12-04-2014, 10:19 PM
I gots me a feelin our resident sister fucking retard's gonna blow a gasket soon...
:)
Guitar Shark
12-05-2014, 01:29 PM
I always get a chuckle out of watching FORD and his aliases thank their own posts.
Hardrock69
12-05-2014, 01:49 PM
I always get a chuckle seeing Elbow become unhinged because he is half black. :hee:
ZahZoo
12-05-2014, 03:46 PM
For item number 2... lose the fucking "Climate Change" references. It takes away focus from the real issue which is modernization, upgrading and making our energy infrastructure able to safely and cleanly deliver the energy needs of our modern world.
This one should be in the same vein as improving our transportation infrastructure. Energy infrastructure suffers from the same lack of maintenance, upgrades and care it's needed since the 50's/60's...
The Climate Change references just give too many folks bullshit to argue over and cloud the real issue which is modernization, security and resiliency... Take the arguements and debates out... maybe shit can get done!!
For item number 2... lose the fucking "Climate Change" references. It takes away focus from the real issue which is modernization, upgrading and making our energy infrastructure able to safely and cleanly deliver the energy needs of our modern world.
This one should be in the same vein as improving our transportation infrastructure. Energy infrastructure suffers from the same lack of maintenance, upgrades and care it's needed since the 50's/60's...
The Climate Change references just give too many folks bullshit to argue over and cloud the real issue which is modernization, security and resiliency... Take the arguements and debates out... maybe shit can get done!!
I think Climate Change should be changed to Pollution solutions too...
Climate Change occurs whether we are on earth or not...it has never stopped changing...nor will it ever...
Nickdfresh
12-05-2014, 06:19 PM
13. Refusing to buy into the anti-American, progressive-liberal bullshit
From the mouths of babes... :)
And by "babes": I mean a fucking idiot that believes that the U.S. Gov't has:
-Attacked itself on 9/11 as an "Inside Job".
-Gives medications to brainwash otherwise healthy white men to massacre others in mass shootings as "false flags" to 'take ur' guns!'
-Thinks FEMA Camps are for rounding freedom lovers like him
-That police are too heavily armed and use too much force (unless it's against black people, then it's okay)
Hardrock69
12-05-2014, 08:13 PM
They decide for you...
They know what's good for you...
They know what you should or should not read...
Yes. That is the platform of the Republican Party alright. Even Chimpy said "I'm The Decider".
ELVIS
12-05-2014, 08:16 PM
Same as Obomba...
Hardrock69
12-05-2014, 08:18 PM
Same as all of them
Yes. That is the platform of the Republican Party alright. Even Chimpy said "I'm The Decider".
That is the goal at the far edges of the left and right...regardless of Country.
Hardrock69
12-05-2014, 08:38 PM
Since neither the left or the right actually run the country....
Kristy
12-05-2014, 09:54 PM
See how DAVE inserted the Hitler smiley into my post ??
The cocksucker can't help himself when he has a bit of authority...
From Nick's hangout:
Actively refuses to comply with majority's requests or consensus-supported rules.
Performs actions deliberately to annoy others.
Angry and resentful of others.
Argues often.
Blames others for his own mistakes.
Frequently loses temper.
Spiteful or seeks revenge.
Touchy or easily annoyed.
Your own biography written if there ever was one.
ELVIS
12-06-2014, 12:10 AM
What does Socialist Jew Sanders have to do with America ??
Why post his sickening anti-American views on this website ??
Democratic Socialist (yes, there's a difference) Jew Sanders outlined an excellent plan to restore this country to what it was before 1981, and possibly better, should we move into the 21st century and leave the fossil fuel foolishness in the past as soon as possible.
That's not "anti-American".
Anti American is what the BCE has been doing since the 1970s, selling the economy out to the Chinese, and the foreign policy out to the Saudis and the Likudists. If you want to bitch about Jews, start with NuttyYahoo. He's the real threat to this country, not Bernie.
SANDERS/WARREN 2016!!!
Seshmeister
12-06-2014, 12:22 AM
Going back to original post if those pledges are in order of priority the roads in Vermont must be fucking abysmal dirt tracks... :)
ELVIS
12-06-2014, 12:25 AM
Democratic Socialist
Enough said...
Go back in your closet...
ELVIS
12-06-2014, 12:42 AM
“What it means is that we have a lot to learn from democratic socialist governments that have existed in countries like Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, where all people have healthcare as a right. Where higher education is free. Where they have strong childcare program. Where they don’t have the massive type of income and wealth inequality that we have in the United States of America. Where the tax rate on America’s wealthy will be more than it is right now.”
Bernie Socialist Jew Sanders
“What it means is that we have a lot to learn from democratic socialist governments that have existed in countries like Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, where all people have healthcare as a right. Where higher education is free. Where they have strong childcare program. Where they don’t have the massive type of income and wealth inequality that we have in the United States of America. Where the tax rate on America’s wealthy will be more than it is right now.”
Bernie Socialist Jew Sanders
And future President Sanders is absolutely correct about all of that.
SANDERS/WARREN 2016!!!!
ELVIS
12-06-2014, 12:50 AM
And future President Sanders...
The jokes just write themselves...:biggrin:
Kristy
12-06-2014, 12:58 AM
What does Socialist Jew Sanders have to do with America ??
Why post his sickening anti-American views on this website ??
Go on, you fucking prick, explain socialism to us.
It has to be better than what asscrack Googled from a right-wing site.
jacksmar
12-06-2014, 07:26 AM
What exactly is "anti American" about anything this great Patriotic American, Senator Sanders has said here?
How many socialists does it take to issue an executive order privatizing social security?
How many socialists does it take to issue an executive order privatizing social security?
No socialist would ever do such a thing. That would be textbook fascism, actually. Giving more of government to the corporations, just as Mussolini would have wanted.
Nickdfresh
12-06-2014, 07:42 PM
Going back to original post if those pledges are in order of priority the roads in Vermont must be fucking abysmal dirt tracks... :)
Many are :)
How many socialists does it take to issue an executive order privatizing social security?
Ford is right...Socialists would never privatize it.
They would increase taxes on business to bump it up.
Down side is growth is retarded.
I grew up in a province that was Socialist for a large amount of it's time.
One of our NDP cabinet ministers was once quoted stating that nobody in this province had any need to make more than 62,000 per year.
Funny thing...she went on to make much more than that...the problem with Socialism/Fascism is that the people on top do well...everyone else suffers.
Taxes on business were big...and the province was pretty stagnant.
The crown ran virtually everything...prices were high...wages low.
Example...we had one phone carrier is Saskatchewan.
Prices were ridiculous.
Sprint took them to court Federally in the late 80's or early 90's stating no competition.
They won...and suddenly our Crown Corp SaskTel...which we were always told could barley make it...could drop prices by up to half...how bout that!!
Luckily this province has changed.
Satan
12-07-2014, 01:40 PM
Here's the question though.....
How do the taxes on businesses in Canada compare to the money that businesses have to pay to private insurance corporations in the US to cover employee health care?
Here's the question though.....
How do the taxes on businesses in Canada compare to the money that businesses have to pay to private insurance corporations in the US to cover employee health care?
I have no quick answer.
I would think though...If you look at what the Feds in Canada do with taxes collected VS in the US with taxes collected...it would be clear.
We do not have Carrier Battle Groups in various oceans around the world...nor would we be able to afford it.
Edit:
Canada's Health Care system started in my province...and it did start out as health insurance...then evolved into what it is.
ELVIS
12-08-2014, 11:13 AM
A huge mess ??
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