I was recently going through the comments of my recent “ Sound Off diary” and one of the trends was the “Kos Community” would like to see more issue-based discussions vs individual candidates or politicians. Such as my discussions about the stimulus, college, and healthcare. After taking some time to think about more issues to talk about such as the Green New Deal and a living wage. This is what I came up with.
Similar to my comparison to Bernie Sanders and the Bull Moose Party. Major aspects of the Green New Deal were the centerpiece of the platform of 2016 candidate Jill Stein. Inspired by the New Deal programs that helped us out of the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Green New Deal will provide similar relief (1)
1. A Living Wage/Trade
A majority of economists support an increased minimum wage. I can name an assortment of small and large businesses that have increased their base pay over the last few years. The question becomes can we raise it higher. The answer is yes and much like my thoughts on debt-free college and infrastructure, we can do this without raising taxes. As a matter of fact, we can cut taxes. Bare with me.
Regardless of what tweet Trump said to attack James Comey, John Kasich, Meryl Streep or whoever said something to hurt his feelings. Trump made two serious policy decisions during his first two years of his Presidency. He probably made a little more but I want to focus on the two. 1. He withdrew from the TPP and he raised Tariffs on imports. Both have had a tremendous impact on s the America’s economy and the stock market.
To put it straight, A Tariff is a tax that America’s businesses pay on imports from all over the globe. Trump's tariffs are driving America out of business or forcing the consumer to pay higher costs for goods that normally wouldn’t cost that much. Impacts of Trump's tariffs can be found in a TV Company in South Carolina that was forced to lay off more than a hundred workers or a nail manufacturer in Missouri that will lay off almost 200 employees. These are not isolated scenarios. There are many of these stories through America.
In my previous diary, I mentioned how America would benefit from some good old fashion economic stimulus. Well here is a step in the right direction. Tie a minimum wage increase to an economic stimulus package that will include a small decrease in import tariffs comparable to what the minimum wage increase is. America is being robbed blind by Trump’s tariffs. According to an article in Forbes. Trump’s Tariffs have cost American consumers over $35 Billion.
For me this a win-win. American workers have more money in their pocket. American businesses will pay less on import costs so they can sell more goods. Lower tariffs will also stabilize the unstable market. Look at the dow the last 6 months.
2. Climate Change
Let's get real. Climate Change is not a hoax invented by the Chinese or Fake News or any other term the right has used. Its real and we better get used to melting ice caps and devastating storms across America. Although there is no quick fix for climate change. I believe there are some bipartisan steps that could be taken to ensure that we are on the right track.
A. Pass H.R. 7173 — Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2018
The EICDA places a price of $15 per metric ton of carbon dioxide, starting in 2019. The price will increase by $10 per year and increases to $15 per year if the previous year’s emissions goals are not reached. (1) To be honest I would even start at a $5 per metric ton. Then create incentives for making their goal.
The bill exempts fuels used for farming from the carbon fee and specifies that the fee should not be levied on other agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane from livestock.
Under the EICDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is not allowed to regulate greenhouse gas emissions covered in the legislation on the basis of their greenhouse gas effects. However, the EPA can still regulate these emissions because of any adverse health impacts they have, and the legislation will not change the EPA’s ability to regulate emissions from new motor vehicles. If the cumulative emissions reduction goals are not being met after 10 years, the regulatory authority is restored (1)
The bill establishes a “Carbon Dividend Trust Fund” in the US Treasury using 100 percent of the net revenue raised from this fee, which is distributed as a dividend back to households. Dividends are paid in a pro-rata share to each adult with a Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), with a half-share paid to each child (not exceeding two children.
What a concept. We can help the environment and put money back into the hands of the hardworking taxpayer. HR7173 has bipartisan support from Democratic Presidential Candidate John Delaney (D-MA), Charlie Christ (D-FL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
Epilogue
Thanks, everyone for reading. I promised an update on Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. Before he took the oath he announced he was going to appoint Deputy State superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor to replace him as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He announced that his first priorities were working on a pathway to the legalization of medical marijuana and expanding Medicaid.
This Sound off was written based on some encouraging discussion in comments. If you have anything you want to add please do so. I will provide a link to my previous diary that preceded this one.
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