By Ralph Nader
I often ask Congressional Democrats these days is:
"If you agree that your Republican counterparts in Congress are the most
craven, corporatist, fact-denying, falsifying, anti-99 percent, militaristic
Republicans in the party's history, then why are you not landsliding
them?" Their responses are largely in the form of knowing smiles and
furrowed brows.
Here are eight initiatives that could landslide the
Republicans in November's Congressional contests. It starts with a ringing
declaration that recalls the legendary labor rally challenge: "Whose side
are you on?" With the two parties often seen as Republicrats or DemReps,
due to the lack of credible, distinct differences on military, foreign policy,
trade, agribusiness, energy and corporate crime/welfare subjects, among others,
such a proclamation of "we the people" helps frame the details of
this fresh approach, as follows.
First, resurrect the old Democratic Party's historic
safeguarding of federal minimum wage and labor laws from Republican
dissolution. It is astonishing that, since the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy,
there have been so few high-profile champions in Congress for restoring the minimum
wage - now $7.25 per hour - to its inflation-adjusted level of 1968 which today
would be $10.00 per hour. That long overdue move would pour tens of billions of
dollars into job-producing consumer demand during this recession. It would end
a decades-long windfall for employers who have been increasing their prices and
salaries while receiving many tax breaks during that period. To objections from
the curled-lip House Republican Eric Cantor, the reply is: "You don't
believe workers in your district should make as much as workers made 44 years
ago when their productivity was half what it is today, Eric?"
The scholar who showed that keeping minimum wages current
doesn't cost jobs is Alan Krueger, now President Obama's chief economic
advisor. In 2008, Mr. Obama himself pledged to push for a $9.50 minimum wage by
2011.
Second, announce the filing of legislation that declares
immediate drafting of all able-bodied and age-qualified children and
grandchildren of all members of Congress any time that branch or the president
plunge us into another war. Besides forcing Congress to pay attention to its
Constitutional responsibilities to declare or not declare war, this legislation
would ring with the authenticity of responsible humble servants becoming part
of the risk presently hoisted on a few million, mostly low income, families.
Third, cut the huge, bloated, wasteful military budget,
really end the wars, and switch the expected savings into repairing and
renovating America through a public works program all over the country with
good-paying, non-exportable jobs.
Fourth, shift much of the tax burdens to activities we do
not like, such as pollution, huge Wall Street speculation, corporate crime
waves and profits from systemic product waste. Even Exxon/Mobil supports the
idea of a carbon tax, which would help the environment. The motto: tax what you
burn before you tax what you earn.
Fifth, announce a national energy conversion campaign
based on efficiency and renewables. The only true energy independence comes from
the sun in its many manifestations. This will create more local employment and
small businesses down to the community-neighborhood levels. Goodbye to the
toxic fossil fuel and atomic energy cartels.
Sixth, crack down on corporate and governmental violations
of our Constitution and laws. No more no-fault government and no-more no-fault
big business. If the law is to be observed in the streets, then it must be
observed in the suites. People are being pushed around, disrespected,
defrauded, injured, and given the runaround from arrogant corporate bureaucrats
using nameless, robotic and tyrannical "fine print" barricades. There
have to be accountabilities that the abused citizens can invoke.
Seventh is a proposal to establish a national
complaint-handling system using the internet to help consumers, taxpayers and
workers, for a change. You got a beef with your insurance company, bank, energy
company, pension fund, cable company, hospital, telephone/gas/water/electric
utility, or some government agency you can't get through to file your
complaint.
A complaint-handling system will save billions of hours
wasted on just trying to get through, much less getting your complaint heard.
It will also be a good way to aggregate complaints to detect patterns for
policy-making and enforcement corrections. Patterns lead to deterrence, fewer
complaints, and fewer dollar losses. What a way to show sensitivity to the
daily irritations and frustrations of the American people!
Eighth, create a democracy movement based on simple
facilities for people who choose to band together in various roles. In return
for what you the taxpayers have had to spend to bail out and otherwise
privilege these large companies, the Democratic party can press for inserts in
their billing systems and other corporate carriers inviting you to voluntarily
join and contribute dues to a nonprofit staffed with full-time champions of
your causes as consumers, patients, workers and taxpayers (inserts could also
be sent in the communications from tax collecting agencies) directly
accountable to you. No results, then no dues next time, and no taxpayer
subsidies. These facilities would shift some power from the haves to the
have-nots.
Imagine the public discussion, excitement and
participation these eight proposals would provoke. Previous non-voters along
with regular voters would see they have a stake in these elections and that one
of the major parties at least wants to be on their side, and strive to earn
their trust by empowering them directly.
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