For a moment, let’s pretend that I’m somehow made, simultaneously, into both the President and the entirety of congress, here are some of the radical ideas I’d have – which probably go to show how far reality has pushed me from my former libertarian-ish views.
- Progressive tax reform – reinstate the higher tax brackets starting at either $1,000,000.00 or $10,000,000.00 of income. Also adjust the corporate tax and capital gains taxes so that corporations are encouraged to invest long term and pay dividends rather than raise their stock prices.
- A “basics” package for all U.S. Citizens, including
- Basic education: PreK – College (4 years)
- Basic income, paid to all citizens over 16 who are not full time students
- Basic health insurance: no deductible, pays 80%-100% depending on purpose of visit, choice of appropriate provider (urgent care over ER), etc.
- Basic access to housing with water and heat.
- Massive investment in infrastructure – repair first then maybe a new WPA
- Plans to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. This should include fuels from what would otherwise be waste products, and fuels produced in non-agricultural areas.
- Reduction of military involvement in training and direct action in foreign countries. Retrain them to be ready to perform humanitarian missions, including rescues of persecuted groups.
- Ensure that the military has the equipment it needs – but only what it needs, not what congress decides it needs.
- A more open immigration system, and an expedited asylum system. Immigrant parents of US citizens should also get the basics package until their child is independant; by which time they should have had enough time to become naturalized citizens in their own right.
