With Paul Ryan offering his third try at a Roadmap to a Bleak Future, we have the media talking about how bold is his plan. It is bold that this is his third try at a plan, but many details are still missing. From the left, we have silence - no plan of any kind. Well, we can change that. I invite you to participate in a counter-proposal.
Now, I know that President Obama will speak to the nation about his plan for the future and that his plan will be centrist and accommodating and no one will call it bold. So, the political debate ground will cover everything from the far right (Ryan) to the center (Obama). Any good ideas from the left will be termed radical to the discussion because they are outside the debate. Since the Democratic Party refuses to countenance taking any stand left of center, we will always be debating something between the far right and the center.
Here is a proposition. We, here at DailyKos, could formulate a counter-proposal to the Ryan plan. We could humbly ask that Markos go on the Sunday talk shows (after he returns from vacation) and boldly talk of this bold plan. We might get the DC pundits talking about our plan.
Rather than complain about the radical right-wing, let's attack with a plan of our own. For a start, here are the components that I would like to see in our plan:
Social Security
Lift cap on payroll taxes completely. Since Simpson, Bowles, and the right want to include Social Security in the debt discussion, we will extend Social Security solvency at least another 40 years beyond 2030.
Medicare Reform
The Ryan plan converts Medicare to a voucher system. Before tackling such a critical system, we should pilot these vouchers with a smaller sample. Issue vouchers to all current and retired senators and congressmen and their staffs, instead of the current GSA-negotiated group health choices they are provided. Let them find private health insurance. We will try this for ten years, adjusting the vouchers for inflation, and see if these employees of ours can keep up with rising health care costs. (We may need to limit their ability to raise their pay beyond modest cost of living adjustments.)
Health Insurance Reform
Medicare for all not covered by an employer plan. This was off-the-table in the health reform discussion. Time to bring it back now. While our employee/legislators are testing the Ryan-voucher system, the rest of us will test a universal Medicare system.
Welfare Reform
Eliminate all subsidies and corporate welfare for corporations earning more than 1% profit. In addition, since corporations want to be treated as individuals, establish an Alternative Minimum Tax for Corporations at 15% of Revenue (EBITDA - meaning before any deductions).
Corporate Campaign Contributions
Continuing to treat corporations as individuals, cap their contributions to a candidate at $2,400 - equal to the individual cap. Also, demand that corporations post contributions and recipients on single website. The effect of this provision will not directly affect the deficit, but by limiting corporate influence, legislators may start voting for interests of individual Americans.
Income Tax
Finally, we get serous about the revenue side of the discussion. Set tax rates for those earning more than $250,000 equal to what they were in during the first six years of the Reagan administration until the federal deficit is brought down to 3% of GDP (supposedly what it was in 1988). Then, set all tax rates at Clinton era levels.
Certainly, with all of the intelligence on this site, we can add to, and improve, this plan. How would you feel to hear someone talking seriously about this plan on Sunday morning? Have at it.
Remember, though, this is not about arguing the economic viability of any suggestions at this point. That will happen in the political debate. This is about setting the goal post on the left.