The natural sequence of events have forced us to rethink our social progress. Our country needs a new ideological viewpoint that unifies libertarian and moderate values.
I call to action protections to the promises we’ve made and move forward with a new vision for America. I call this Neoprogressivism.
Here are what I propose as changes to our current system.
Social Security should not be privatized. Social Security should be devolved and the responsibilities be given to the states. Legislative language should include the following.
1.Eliminate the Federal social security tax (set date at devolution of Social Security)
2.Mandate State Governments set up their own social security program that maintains a national database transferable to other states (Current SSA issued numbers will be transferred to the state program)
3. Starting 2025, retirees will no longer be able to retire under the Federal Social Security program. Their credits are transferred to their respective state program with Social Security Trust Funds. States will be given time to set up plans for their programs and a timetable for effective transition.
4. Current and future Social Security offices and respective employees are under flagship of the state’s pension program. Funding will continue coming from the national government transitioning under responsibility from state government.
Medicare should face the same initiative. Send responsibility to the states.
1. Eliminate the Federal Medicare tax
2. Mandate State Governments combine Medicare and Medicaid into a singular program that covers seniors and low-income persons.
3. Medicare trust will be transferred to cover expenses until state governments finalize development of their programs.
Universal health coverage will be maintained through the provisions set by the Affordable Care Act.
Drug Decriminalization, we must recognize that people who do drugs are in need of help, they should not be sent to jail, they should be sent to rehabilitation centers and away from influences.
-statutes that include driving under the influence and crimes committed under the influence of drugs will be kept in place (note: they will be charges for the proxy crimes committed) but individuals who do not commit crimes other than using drugs should not be sent to prison.
Economic Protectionism the United States should seek trade policies that reduce the reliance on foreign products and more emphasis on domestic production and keeping jobs here.
Government role in the Economy, government is given the right to regulate interstate commerce by the Constitution. It should regulate practices that hurt consumers and the economy. Reenact the Glass-Steagall Act.
Labor Unions and the right to form unions should be protected. But government will not instigate formations of unions. Workers have the right to choose and to collectively bargain.
Immigration is the legacy of our great nation and we must continue to seek the best while tending to our value of “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”. Switch the US immigration system to a merit-based system that allocates immigration visas to those who can fill our economic demands (doctors, scientists, technologists). Keep international students with high education degrees here. And give asylum to those affected by tyrant undemocratic government.
-Immigration reform must include provisions that prevent future illegal immigration from the southern border. Include a nationwide electronic verification system of immigrant status/work eligibility.
Immigration reform should permit current undocumented immigrants the ability to seek legal status through a passing of background checks and paying fines. Then the ability to seek permanent residency and citizenship through normal channels.
Gun Regulation should include common sense reforms to try to prevent disturbed individuals from obtaining weapons. It should include a cooperative effort by state and national government to identify those who are classified by mental institutions as unfit for arms and criminals.
International Affairs just as the United States should seek economic protectionist policies, it should also withdraw from unnecessary international conflicts. Interests should shift back to domestic issues; patriotism lies within our borders in peace-time and should stay there. There are crumbling bridges and roads, lets stop rebuilding failed states.
War on Terror, the terrorists win when they are able to bring fear into our lives. As a nation we should step back and give rights back to individuals (specifically Privacy). We cannot exchange rights for security, as stated by Ben Franklin, we end up losing more than we gain in our state of mind.
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