John Tsitrian yields the floor of his blog to Rapid City writer and producer Sam Hurst, who offers nine core economic principles to define Democrats. “If a candidate is afraid to defend these principles from the podium,” writes Hurst, “she/he just ain’t a Democrat as far as I am concerned.”
Since I deeply respect Hurst’s concerns when it comes to Democrats and democracy, let’s see if I ace his test:
- Universal Medicare option: I support allowing every citizen to choose Medicare for health insurance. So does Tim Bjorkman.
- Community-based public schools: I agree completely with Hurst that “Public schools are the lynchpin of community stability” and thus are a primary obligation of our Legislature. If we do public education right, all the other vital parts of American community, like intelligent citizenship and broad economic opportunity, fall into place.
- Smart infrastructure: Instead of bathing in the last drips of fossil fuel, we must integrate “the digital revolution, smart technologies, wind, solar, [and] conservation” into all infrastructure projects. I take it that includes designing cities around modes of transportation other than private automobiles. O.K.!
- Science-based decision-making: should go without saying! Throw out the corporate fascists, bring back the scientists!
- Addiction—The Apollo Mission of the 21st Century: “Addiction is a public health problem, not a crime or personal responsibility problem,” says Hurst. I have trouble getting over my own emotional, vestigial response to addiction, but it’s hard to keep futilely shouting “Just Say No” instead of seeking real, humane, science-based solutions to a problem that erodes worker productivity and aggravates unemployment, domestic abuse, prison overpopulation, and health care costs.
- Expand Social Security: Don’t give in to Republican efforts to weaken this great Democratic achievement; fight to “expand[] the safety net and mak[e] pensions and other Social Security services more sustainable.” I need to see more data on rising life expectancy, available revenues, and economic needs, but I’m quite willing to open my policymaking on pensions from the argument that we can do more rather than from acceding to the preferred Republican narrative that we must do less.
- Marshall Plan for Latin America and Mexico: Hurst says we need to reject last-gasp imperialism and Trumpist scapegoating of our Western Hemisphere neighbors (dare we say fellow Americans?) and instead invest in stronger, mutually beneficial relationships with our nearest trading partners.
- War is economically destructive: Hurst’s grammatical parallel structure breaks down here, but the point is that war does more to undermine our economy than anything else. “What would our economy look like if we had used five trillion dollars over the last decade to invest in the economic integration of Latin America into a healthy hemispheric economy, built 21st century schools, and infrastructure based on wind and solar, rather than building bombs, missiles, and the long-term expense of caring for wounded soldiers?” Make investments, not war… and if we must go to war, make sure the people and Congress understand and authorize it.
- Progressive taxation: Yes, yes, yes. Flat taxes are for simpletons and plutocrats (and the current occupant of the White House is both).
I think I can be a Hurst Democrat. How about you?
It’s a lifestyle proven to bring happiness. The negativity bias among the majority in the state is as crippling as addiction. In fact, negativity is an addiction.
I look forward to reading and hearing objections from the other side. I find essentially nothing to quarrel with Mr Hurst over.
Ok, so what does Mr. Hurst say are the economic principles that define Republicans?
Interesting question, Ror! Hurst offers no such definition. He just says these principles define Democrats. Failure to uphold these principles makes one something else, but Hurst doesn’t say what.
These principles may not offer a simple dichotomy for our two main parties. Consider “smart infrastructure”: I could see a sensible Republican getting on board with the efficiency and sustainability embodied in Hurst’s idea. Why not build infrastructure that uses fewer resources, freeing up wealth to promote growth of other economic activities? Why not seek more robust power and transportation networks and community designs that depend less on finite fuel sources? The problem is that we have “Republicans” like Trump who aren’t acting on any principle but are simply fronting for specific favored industries that want to squeeze every last drop of profit they can from their dwindling product stocks.
Thinking long-term instead of short-term—that should be an underlying principle of every political party’s platform. Unfortunately, many Republicans serve the short-term desires of stockholders instead of the long-term needs of the Republic.
Addiction: At least 3 very bright, talented capable cousins in Iowa and Missouri had their promise significantly diminished or destroyed by addictions. The problem is serious in those 2 states, but devastating in others like West Virginia. The losses to those states in terms of potential is devastating, and that’s without even touching the economic cost. Addiction as an illness must be an important focus.
Marshall Plan for Latin America:
I hadn’t thought about this, but as I read Hurst’s #7, I quickly had an image of a highly functional American Union. It would learn from the EU’s mistakes and be less integrated in some ways. (No common currency.) I see the hemisphere as an open highway where each government learns to trust the other so there is an American Union version of Interpol, passports are required and law enforcement units are highly cooperative.
The AU functions like a college competition conference. Latin America would all be safer and I could just cruise seamlessly down to Cabo for a safe, relaxing, winter vacay. 😊
Oh, i completely agree with all the rest of the Democratic points.
#10: Complete racial and gender equality, accessibility for all.
“dare we say fellow Americans?” – Thanks Cory!
Wingnuts economic principles are: 1) promote the general (personal) welfare of the koch bros. and
2) when in doubt see rule 1)
11: homeless housing (Finland example)