Increased equality is a key part of Biden's economic plan: Day 37 of 100 days of loving Joe Biden

by GoodNewsRoundup

Community

(This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday, Aug. 14, 2020 Friday, Aug. 14, 2020 at 4:00:10am PDT

Biden understands that financial opportunity will not end racial discrimination in the United States. But he also understands that without financial opportunities, we have no hope of making real change.

While Trump would clearly like to ride a white backlash against Black Lives Matter to reelection, in reality he has ceded the middle ground in the culture war to Biden. Trump is refusing to acknowledge any need for change.

When it comes to the public investment side of the ledger, Biden is squarely there, especially with regard to low-income communities.

Indeed, as Ezra Klein and Roge Karma wrote in December, the dynamic of the 2020 primary was that on economic policy, “by the standards of the Democratic Party in 2008, the moderates look like leftists.”

Biden wants to quadruple federal spending on low-income housing assistance.

He is proposing to triple federal spending on low-income K-12 schools.

He wants to double Pell Grants and make community college free.

Separately from the housing assistance money, he’s calling for a $100 billion investment in an affordable housing trust fund.

His transportation platform includes a $10 billion special set-aside for transit projects in high-poverty areas.

Racial equity is a distinct pillar of Biden’s Build Back Better plan, as well as incorporated in each of the other pillars. Biden will remove barriers to participation in our economy, expand access to opportunity, and fully enforce the policies and laws that we already have on the books.

In summary, Biden’s plan will

Spur Public-Private Investment through a New Small Business Opportunity Plan

Reform Opportunity Zones to Fulfill Their Promise

Make a Historic Commitment to Equalizing Federal Procurement

Ensure His Housing Plan Makes Bold Investments in Homeownership and Access to Affordable Housing for Black, Brown, and Native Families

Achieve Equity in Management, Training, and Higher Education Opportunities Connected to the Jobs of the Future

Boost Retirement Security and Financial Wealth for Black, Brown, and Native Families

Ensure Workers of Color Are Compensated Fairly and Treated With Dignity

Ensure Equity in Biden’s Bold Infrastructure and Clean Energy Investments

Support Second Chances for Economic Success

Strengthen the Federal Reserve’s Focus on Racial Economic Gaps

Promote Diversity and Accountability in Leadership Across Key Positions in All Federal Agencies

Build a 21st Century Care Infrastructure

Address Longstanding Inequities in Agriculture

These aren’t just pie-in-the-sky ideas. Biden’s 12,000 word plan is full of specific methods for achieving these plans that include longstanding collaborations with congress people and Senators as well as links to OTHER plans of Biden’s that will aid in this goal. Click on it if you want to read more details — they are really impressive

Joe Biden doesn’t just give lip service to goals of equality and opportunity for all. He has real plans to make things better. That combination of heart/empathy and know-how/expertise is what will make Joe an outstanding president.