Democrats in Charge

What if Democrats controlled both houses of Congress and the White House?  As I read the conservative pundits and their fans it appears those folks picture some kind of American Apocalypse or Armageddon.  And that, of course, is just silly.  The following things would most likely happen:

They would re-write the tax codes so that an actual progressive tax was in place.  Those making the most would pay the most, those making the least would pay the least.  None of this nonsense wherein billionaires don’t pay a penny and working people see their refunds go down and their tax burden go up.

Re-writing the tax code would generate more federal revenue.  Once the cuts in social services are reinstated, real money following a real plan would be implemented to renovate or replace our aging infrastructure and maintain our military as the best on the planet. 

They would make health care a single payer plan.  Doctors, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies will scream, but they have all become obscenely rich under the current system while millions die due to lack of care.  We must improve our infant mortality rate and the services we provide our citizens.  It will be cheaper for the subscriber and offer more coverage.  Health care will grow in importance as medical advances continue and we live longer so we should treat it like we treat the military.  One US health care system.  Yes, it would be socialistic in design just like public schools, local law enforcement, local water provision, local waste treatment, highways, the military, etc.  It would clearly work.  The 600,000 Americans who declare bankruptcy each year due to medical expense would disappear.  And since zero doctors declare bankruptcy they are likely to see their standard of living drop from the 1% to maybe 2 or 3%.

They would make clear in law that no belief system is more important than protecting the rights of human beings.  Discriminating against people based on race, religion, sexual preference, gender, etc. would be illegal. 

They will encourage citizens to vote.

They would make laws enforcing the clear separation of church and state.  No more Christian heavy policies vs Muslim heavy policies, etc.  No one would be required to take a loyalty oath or declare their faith for employment.

The trade tariffs would end and America could return to be the productive leader of the free world.

They would commit to ending those human behaviors that harm our climate.  Burning fossil fuels must stop and just like the doctors, oil men and women will have to get used to less money.

The Citizens United loophole would be closed and corporations would not be allowed to spend millions on political campaigns.

They will take better care of our veterans.

They will support more funding for public education.  The privatization of schools and prisons would stop as it has not improved those institutions but has merely made a new group of CEO’s very rich.

They will re-engage with our allies.  They will support NATO, EU, Britain, Canada, France, Mexico, etc. 

They will take a hard line against ambitious dictators like Putin and Kim Jong Un, and provide human services to the people in Central America, Africa, Asia and the Mid-East whose lives are threatened by despotic leadership.

They will not be tolerant of terrorists in any shape, form or fashion.  Nations known to turn a blind eye to terrorist strongholds will feel our sanctions.  Nations that act as terrorist will feel our might.

The minimum wage would rise and hard working people would be able to survive on that income.

They would end the nonsense that is incorporated in supply side economics, top-down economics, give the rich a break economics or whatever the conservatives call making the rich richer.  The simple truth is that if more working class people have more money they will spend more money and that is what drives the economy.

They will promote the exploration of space.

They will promote the development of green energy.

They will not tolerate conspiracy theories via transparent government.  Everyone will share tax returns, transcripts, and any publicly funded investigation will be shared with the public.

People appointed to run Cabinet level offices will have to demonstrate their knowledge and skill in those areas and commit to defending the constitution and law.

They would have reasonable restrictions on the purchase of a firearm including background checks.  No one would go to anyone’s house and confiscate weapons.  Law-abiding non-felons could still purchase guns, and gun shows would have to follow the same rules as pawn shops and Academy.  It will not end gun related violence, but it will significantly reduce it.

The abortion debate would be shifted from government to religious organizations where it should be held.  Women should control decisions regarding their own bodies with limits on late term abortions.  It’s simple really.  If you think abortion is murder your position is inspired by your religion and should not be policy.  If you think abortion is murder do not have an abortion.

They will not build walls.  They will build bridges.

They will not turn a blind eye to the suffering of people on this planet, especially those who make it to our shores seeking asylum and a chance for a better life.

The chaos would end.  We would not have a president who personally attacks members of congress, or judges or members of the media, or foreign officials, or women in general.  When charged with hiding our new leadership would be forthcoming.  When charged with lying our new president would confess, or clarify or explain.  We would return to an era where leaders could be trusted or called out if they could not be.

Democratic control of government would not be the end of life as we know it.  It would be a return to people-centered, constitutional sanity and re-establish the United States as the economic and moral leader of the world.