Imagine You may say that I m a dreamer But I m not the only one I hope someday you ll join us
It s OK To Aspire high Revel in good and wholesome thoughts Dream about the ideal civic society we really want Be an idealist (not weird or naive) Take risk (long game) Recognize continued struggle for good over evil Be progressive yet be a fighter and willing to say uncomfortable things (accept conflict) Stand up to power and the establishment
Desired End State for Our Society Equitable pursuit of happiness Equal opportunity for all Existential equity (save our planet) Effective governance Political power equity (one person, one vote) Professional, unconflicted, modern representation Politician standard of conduct Represents all the people Fairer economic system Economic power equity Fair distribution of wealth Jobs for all Globalization and automation addressed Social safety net for all (universal healthcare)
https://shortcut.thisamericanlife.org/ - /clipping/461?_k=zysrks
Why Politicians Don t Step Up to the Plate Lack of vision Short game Lack of insight and empathy Rationalizations Poor leadership Status quo comfort Integrity deficit Poor work ethic Lack of personal responsibility Service of self before public service Misplaced fiduciary responsibility Risk and conflict aversion
Politician Rationalizations for Taking the Money Needed to win Unilateral withdrawal is political suicide The money doesn t affect me I only take money from good organizations
The Rationalizations Aren t Believable Maybe the money is NOT needed to win Unilateral withdrawal can be good strategy Bernie s success Of course the money affects politicians Research shows high Return on Investment Impairs judgment leading to poor decision making Leads to misplaced focus and representation One person s good organization is another s bad organization Enables destructive politics and civics Other less saintly politicians are affected Leads to cynicism and mistrust of our leaders and government Divides us by fueling mistrust of motives
Vermonters We Must Take Responsibility Elect politicians who to take the money If we continue to Accept politician rationalizations Play it safe unwilling to take risk We will be complicit enablers Vote tactically rather than strategically
Carpe Diem Vermonters Vermont must lead America Lead in Congress tip of the spear fighters for progressive values Lead by example tip of the spear civic, economic, and environmental society Or as a small state, accept our fate based on others values America Needs Vermont to Lead Vermonters bring a lot to the table Concentration of people with generous, wholesome values Leadership in Congress, leadership by example Vermonters have stepped up before as American leaders Green Mountain Boys Abolitionists Pickett s Charge at Gettysburg Bernie
Imagine a Politician Standard of Conduct?! True public service Fiduciary responsibility to the people Minimization of conflict of interest No money from special interests, only voters Personal responsibility
Campaign Platform
1. Campaign Finance Reform (No Special Interests Money)
Why Should We Care About Campaign Finance Reform? Corruption misplaces priorities and resources Fixing your favorite issues depends on it Environment Jobs Taxes College tuition assistance Healthcare Childcare Family leave Infrastructure Security $760 Integrity and sustainability of our democracy
Personal Responsibility is key to Campaign Finance Reform Reverse Citizens United Disclosure laws Contribution limits Politician standard of conduction (no special interests money) Easy to say Hard to do
Walk the Talk of Campaign Finance Reform
The Rhetoric vs. Reality Democratic National Committee Our vision for American democracy is a nation in which all people, regardless of their income, can participate in the political process and can run for office without needing to depend on large contributions from the wealthy and the powerful Incumbent My top priority in Congress is to ensure that Vermonters have good jobs, affordable health care, access to higher education, and lower energy bills
2. Economic Fairness (Massive Tax Hikes on Ultra-Rich & Tax-Evading Corporations)
Why Increase Taxes on the Ultra-Rich & Tax-Evading Corporations? They have all the income growth They have all the money (wealth) They don t pay much taxes anymore They accumulated a massive tax debt
Annual income growth Question 1: Which Class Has Had More Income Growth? A B C Income Poor & Middle Class Ultra-Rich Class
Almost All Income Growth Goes to the Ultra-Rich Our Broken Economy, in One Single Graph. David Leonhardt, NY Times, Aug 7, 2017
Effective federal tax rates Question 2: Which Class Has Had the Best Tax Benefits? A B C Time Poor & Middle Class Ultra-Rich Class
The Ultra-Rich Don t Pay Much Taxes Anymore Effective Federal Tax Rates by Income Group Derived from Here Are Your Favorite Tax Graphs. Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, Apr 17, 2012 Numbers include federal income, capital gains, estate, gift, and corporate taxes
Effective corporate tax rates Question 3: What Has Happened to Corporate Taxes? A B C Time Effective Corporate Tax Rates
Corporations Don t Pay Much Taxes Anymore Effective Corporate Tax Rates
The Rich Get Richer
Uwe E. Reinhardt, Economics Professor, Princeton New York Times, 22 May 2009 Nowhere else in the industrialized world does a family, already down on its luck over a job loss, also suffer the loss of its health insurance. It happens only in America, under employment-based insurance
Evolution of Employer Based Health Insurance in USA Modern medicine born antibiotics Healthcare becomes costly for the first time Empty hospitals, Great Depression (Baylor, Blue Cross) Fringe benefits excluded from WWII wage controls IRS tax benefits
What s Wrong with Employer-Based Health Insurance? False assumption it s an add on to pay Deducted from employee pay so less income Added to product cost decreasing competitiveness Premiums are experience-based Small businesses and their employees lose community rating benefit Not portable Reduces risk taking, entrepreneurship, public service, non-profit work, etc. 20% annual reduction in job mobility (job lock) (Chute BW, Middlebury College) Reduces wages as employees are captive audiences Bondage in a way
3. Fight for Single Payer Health Insurance Medicare for All Universal coverage (without new program) Cost effective Eliminates most administrative costs Enables drug price & physician fee negotiation from position of power Better outcome Fairer funding Improve business competitiveness and remove burden Increase job mobility and income
Climate Change is an Existential Threat (CO2 levels)
Climate Change is an Existential Threat (Temperature) 1884 1938 1996 2016
Renewables Potential is Enormous
4. Fight for Massive Investment in Green Economy Saves the planet Creates jobs Fights wealth & income inequality Natural niche for Vermont leadership
Imagine You may say that I m a dreamer But I m not the only one I hope someday you ll join us