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The Way Forward, or What Happens After April 5? [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2025-04-06

Yesterday was a great day! The highest estimate I saw was 5 million people and certainly more than 1 million people, in the streets, demanding an end to authoritarianism and a return to democracy. I was in beautiful Kingston, NY with about 1000 people in 47 degrees and rain. Without coordination, 25% of my (small) work department showed up!

BUT I believe that for this movement to move forward, we must, as soon as possible, agree on 3-5 demands that a middle schooler could understand, that we can repeat to our friends, family, and neighbors - and most importantly, hold our representatives to account to honor.

Without that focus, I fear this mobilization will eventually peter out. With that focus, I believe this mobilization will continue to grow until we win and America is again safe for democracy.

These demands must be circulated to every current member of Congress. If they agree with them, we will organize, mobilize, and vote for them - give them political power in exchange for honoring the people's wishes. If they do not agree with them, we will organize, mobilize, and vote against them - in party primaries and general elections. We've seen the last few months that just having a (D) after your name is no guarantee that you will stand up for democracy. If the vote is split three ways and a Democrat who does not agree to our demands loses to a Republican, does it matter? We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

These demands will also be published to the President. If he does not honor them, impeachment by those members of Congress who do agree to them will be the result.

This is not a comprehensive party platform. It does not fix everything wrong with the US. But I believe that 5 priorities, something like these, will safeguard our democracy for now AND give us breathing room to continue to organize for the changes we need.

Here's my crack at 5 priorities. Please criticize, add, delete, second, etc. all of these. It's only through discussion - honoring each other as humans with unique experiences and needs - and through community - realizing that we need each other - that we can win. These are in no particular order and I don't claim to be an expert on any of them.

1. Peace - The US will not attack any member of NATO. The US will not engage in any military action abroad without clear provocation by a state or non-state actor and then only with the consent of Congress. These are both clear requirement of our Constitution and treaty obligations. Further, we will continue full support of Ukraine in their fight against Russian tyranny until Ukrainians decide that their war is won.

2. Tariffs - All tariffs imposed since January 20 are rescinded. Only Congress shall have the power to levy tariffs, as the Constitution requires.

3. Social Programs and Income Taxes - All cuts to discretionary programs and civil service positions made since January 20 will be rescinded, as they were unconstitutional and unlawful to begin with. No cuts to social welfare programs will be made, e.g. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security. No current income tax rates will be raised - but new brackets will be created, 50% at $1 million; 60% at $5 million; 70% at $10 million; $80% at $50 million; and %90 at $100 million. The carried interest loophole will be closed; income tax will be assessed on the value of appreciated publicly traded stock.

4. Immigration - All immigrants currently in the US - including those in immigration detention - will receive amnesty from deportation, unless convicted of a felony, until a comprehensive immigration reform plan can be passed including a path to legal status for all current residents, mandatory use of E-Verify by employers (with financial and jail penalties for employers who do not comply in good faith), border security, and humane visa enforcement. All people deported without due process will be allowed to return to the US.

5. Voting Rights - This is the area where I feel the weakest. But it must include removing campaign finance issues from the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to overturn Citizens United. It must include provisions that ensure that no state voting laws will have unequal impacts on voters based on race, age, gender, disability, wealth, etc.

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