The void in leadership on the left devastating. Elected officials are reeling and focused on organizational priorities (leadership seats etc). The young people in the streets and millions of us in our homes are filled with anxiety and lots of great thoughts but little that is concrete to focus on. The party apparatus is being questioned. As always, we need something to demand from power — something to be “For”. Once agendas are set and Cabinet appointnments announced much of this will be water under the bridge. We can’t wait for “leaders”. So, humbly, here are my initial suggestions for your comment / critique / contribution.
WE DEMAND
A UNITY GOVERNMENT
ANYTHING LESS PUTS THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION AT STAKE
The reasons:
- Hillary Clinton won the popular vote;
- Mr Trump employed horrific and divisive tactics throughout his campaign which have divided this country more than at anytime in our lifetimes;
- Specifics of Mr. Trumps agenda were never discussed in detail during his campaign which was largely a protest campaign viewed as likely to lose in a landslide until the (potentially illegal) electioneering activity by Mr. Guiilliani and others disrupted the election and created the chaos necessary for Mr. Trump’s unvetted candidacy win;
- 8 years of Republican obstructionism in the face of a largely post-partisan President have created a toxic environment in Washington where much consensus business of the people has been left undone.
Therefore we Demand:
Mr. Trump immediately denounce and set aside divisive policy proposals and come forward with an Unity Agenda and appropriate cabinet nominees to support such an Agenda including the following:
- Confirmation of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court and a commitment to nominate mainstream conservative justices to fill the remaining openings on the Federal Bench. 8 years of obstructionism can not be rewarded and efforts to do so will only perpetuate and worsen the toxic environment.
- A commitment to maintain the existing filibuster rules in the Senate for Mr. Trump’s first term.
- A commitment to respect all residents of this nation including our undocumented neighbors. 70%+ of all voters support a path to citizenship for undocumented Americans — our consensus wishes ,must be respected or we will defend them against a radical government. Conversely less than 40% support building a “Wall” on the Mexican border.
- Protect the planet including respecting the climate scientists, the recommendations of the EPA and existing climate accords. American energy is currently abundant and cheap. A recent Pew poll suggests that 71% of Americans believe that we should do “everything we can” to protect the environment. Mr. Trump must table his plans to disband the EPA, withdraw funding from UN climate change initiatives and withdraw from the Paris accords.
- An investigation into the conduct of the FBI Director and allegedly rogue Agents in the weeks leading up to the election, including any information illegally leaked to Mr. Guilliani or others with the intent to change the results of the election.
- Healthcare reform to reform the Affordable Care Act to provide affordable, quality, healthcare to all Americans. Healthcare expenditures in the US are currently 2x that of comparable nations with far worse delivery and outcomes. Mr. Trump’s broadest policy statements — that he wants American’s to have better cheaper healthcare are supported by all.
- Washington ethics and lobbying reform. Mr. Trump’s proposals for ethics and lobbying reform are a great starting point and all of us can support his efforts to make the government more accountable to the people and not lobbyists.
- A first class infrastructure bill. The nation’s infrastructure is crumbing after 8 years of obstructionism aimed at denying President Obama a healthy economy.
- Constant vigilance to the wealth and income disparity in the nation. Recognizing that opinions differ greatly as to what policies would be most effective in addressing these existential problems; we demand that all policies and legislation be reviewed with the fundamental value of equal opportunity in mind and the recognition that wealth an income disparity is undermining it and threatening our united future.
The Consequences:
If Mr. Trump refuses to commit to an America Unity Agenda, in word and in deed, he will be pitting the American people against their government for the first time in 240 years. We will not live in fear and we can and will defend our neighbors, our planet, and our economic freedom. Mr Trump said some welcome things on the night of his election — that his victory is for nothing if he doesn’t do a great job and that he needs to mend the wounds. Now is the Time to begin to put substance behind those words. We demand Mr. Trump come forward with a Unity Agenda reflective of the circumstances of his election and the state of the Nation. The future of the country demands it.