The Democrats must have a vision to win, and while laying out policy type language is not the only part of laying out a vision, moving legislation is crucial to establishing an opposition party as being credible. "Towards a Bright Horizon" lays out a sample agenda, including outlines of legislation, that creates an interlocking program to deal with the deficit cycle that plagues America.
Yesterday the National Community Initiative and National Sustainability Drive were presented.
This post is an overview of the whole program and its components, a program designed to lift the weight of the top down economy from the backs of Americans.
United Health Act
The Equitable Health Care Act creates a single payer health system in the US, though it allows individuals to pay higher premiums to obtain more access to optional services.
Public Income and Retirement System
The PRRS overhauls income, corporate and payroll income streams. It shifts the burden of paying for the UHA from payroll taxes to the General Fund. It creates a national 401k plan which will be funded by a 2% payroll matched by a 2% employer contribution. It raises 401k contribution limits to $25,000. It would create an expanded EITC system.
Corporate Democracy Act
The Corporate Democracy Act reforms rules on corporate governance for all publically listed corporations to open the ability of shareholders, direct or indirect, to vote on all matters before the corporate board.
National Community Initiative
The National Community initiative dramatically restructures the relationship that the Federal Government has with communities and local government of all kinds.
National Sustainability Drive
The National Sustainability Drive changes America's energy and agricultural policy towards a path of sustainability, both by converting passenger transport in the short term. On the energy side by funding a long term move towards carbon and hydro neutral energy supplies, specifically including local power generation, bio-depolymerization and sustainable fuel supplies. On the agricultural side by creating a focus on varietal and traditional farming methods, and by creating grants for sustainabilty.
American Democracy Act
The American Democracy Act will create a national registry of voters, it will require that the government make all reasonable efforts to poll voters for Federal positions. It will overhaul the system of elections for the House of Representatives. It will set national standards for balloting.
It will overhaul the Federal judiciary, and the process of approving nominees to the judiciary.
It will reverse media consolidation of station ownership, reinstitute the fairness doctrine and set higher standards of licensing for use of the public airwaves.
Fair and Balanced Budget Act
This act would overhaul the budget act of 1974 as amended. It would institute PAYGO as a permanent part of the budget. It would mandate that spending which is against trust funds be required to show that it is generating revenue sufficient to pay the interest on those trust funds. It would change accounting procedures on government expenditures.
Real Numbers Act
This act would requiring the indexing to the CPI-W income tax brackets, minimum wage and estate tax brackets. It would mandate standards for scoring systems, budget and economic projections.
Global Development Act(new)
Will create a cabinet level department directed towards peacekeeping, peacemaking and nation building. Will create fast track negotating status for an overhaul of World Bank and IMF along lines designed to end "thatcherization" of developing economies and to restructure third world debt. Will create the "Open Trade Initiative" which will create fast track authority to negotiate a new global currency system which will create a currency conversion fee that will be used to fund third world development and balance capital, labor and commodity mobility.