The guidelines of the Union party may seem very similar to other political parties at a high level, but as general guidelines are broken down into more fine grained guidelines, the separation and distinct aim towards middle class ideals and values will become evident. In general, these guidelines don't support the idea of “trickle down economics” nor “growth from the bottom up”. Instead, the approach is to recognized the middle class individuals as the engine that makes our economy work successfully. The understanding that hard work and opportunity aren't just luck of the draw, but that opportunities exist in abundance to grow with dignity and respect along with our families.
Military defense is vital to our leadership in the world and our ability to defend the democracy of this great nation. It is not about defending any particular groups, consortium, faction, wealthy, or elite, but a collective nation of people that share the common belief in freedom, equality, and the right pursue happiness.
The US does serve as protector to several sovereign nations to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Policies should be shifted to transition the US from protector to partner where the US supplies and sells defense equipment and vehicles to those countries as a deterrent of attack and any retaliation should go through the UN with a process of intervention with limited unilateral intervention. There are those that seek to hurt, defy and disrupt through covert actions by separate terrorist factions (i.e. the enemy of enemy is my friend). In those cases, a coalition should be highly considered and any unilateral intervention should be carefully considered for ramifications to root out the source.
The public health constitutes the advancement of disease prevention, deterrents, and cures. There are certain things which fall into the realm of government which private industry will not advance because it is not cost effective, such as treatment for rare deceases or solving large scale problems like a pandemic or natural disasters. Without government involvement, there will not likely be an adequate response for any such occurrence. Policies need to be shifted to protect agencies of government that help study and plan for the future.
The use of illegal drugs has become a large scale business in our country. Our young children are becoming addicted at early ages. There wouldn't be a business if sales were not high, so the idea is to educate youth at a very early age about the dangers of drug use and provide real life testimony of the troubles it brings. The people that are currently addicted to drugs need to get help, otherwise the sales will just continue. Policies need to be shifted to help cut the sales of illegal drugs through search and seizures and help addicts in order to decrease cartel activity while they seek other marketable regions.
Confidence needs to increase in our safety and security for civilian life through law enforcement and a judicial system that is fair and impartial. The belief is that no judge is tagged as a liberal or conservative, there is only judgments based on enforceable laws and a provision of choice in any given social matter. Those choices shouldn't be skewed in any particular political direction. The belief is that any individual's personal circumstances should not be judged in the court or by law, but come with recommendations based upon science, fact, and transparency of information. Special thought is given to issue of abortion where a personal choice can be lawfully gained. It is contemplated that smaller governed populations should decide on ordinances. For example, if abortion was applied as an ordinance at a county level, there is good chance anyone seeking an abortion in said county would only need to travel as far as a subsequent county that allowed it. It allows smaller communities to decide to live under a particular favor or subsidize any agency. It also reduces some significance to the issue as a national voting measure.
Privatized healthcare has not produced the outcomes that the middle class expects. Policies need to shifted to give incentives to non-profit and not-for-profit institutions that focus on outcomes rather than return on investment. Privatized healthcare shouldn't be prohibited, but possibly limit or revoke some of the tax laws to promote better outcome.
The affordability of healthcare is serious issue for those with special needs and those that are retired. The belief is that government shouldn't ignore these individuals but work to mitigate the pressures on the middle class. When Medicare or Medicaid pays less, the difference is passed on those that can afford it – the middle class. Policies need to be shifted to recognize the problem and find possible solutions. Preventative procedures should be low cost or free for everyone since they promote better outcomes. Young adults should only be allowed to stay under their parents healthcare plan to the age of 23 (not 26), since this will allow more payment into the system and allow them become productive citizens sooner. Policies need to be shifted to recognize the overhead costs of collections for healthcare providers and make it easier to collect payments in order to lower administrative costs. The belief is that healthcare shouldn't be denied to anyone nor given to only those that can afford it and work hard on policies to meet that goal.
The affordability of prescription drugs is another serious issue. Pharmaceutical companies price gouge the middle class for the drugs they need for a healthy and productive life. Policies need to shifted to pursue competitive generic drug market. Special consideration for policies that encourage transparency with regards to drug prices will reduce costs and create competition. Policies should provide incentives to non-profit and not-for-profit institutions that focus on outcomes rather than return on investment.
College tuition has become expensive for the middle class families. Policies need to be shifted promote skills that are needed in the present and near future. Government grants as well as loan amounts and interest rates need to be weighted for the high skill needs of the industrial market, vocational market, and entrepreneurial business leaders. Subsidies could be provided to companies that wish to retrain workers for a critical skill. Universities need to provide education and training for critical skills. Subsidies could be provided to institutions that provide quality graduation rates for critical skill positions. Policies need to be shifted towards advancement in educational systems, meaning that traditional book learning may not fit all types of people so other forms of learning should be pioneered and refined.
Retirement is a real concern for the middle class. There is the constant question of social security and whether it will stay solvent for when they retire. The current algorithm is that productive citizens pay into the system and upon retirement they start to collect from the system. The problem is that payments made into the system are not adjusted for inflation or increases to cost of living to the time they retire. Policies should be shifted to managing incoming payments much like a 401K, where the government has a fund manager which invests the money at a conservative level that allows consistent growth. The idea is that what you paid into the system will accrue interest which can offset inflation and cost of living increases. This type of government program will need funding for management and tracking of each individuals payments. Policies should allow an individual choice to be exempt from the program for those that wish to invest the money on their own terms. Note that once exemption status is obtained, it can't be rescinded and any previous payments into the system are cached out with proceeds sent in the mail.
The incidents of gun violence in the nation has become a significant threat to our public places. While the belief is that the second amendment should stand strong, policies should be shifted to provide proper vetting of individuals who wish to own military style weapons and equipment. Policies should be shifted in favor of individual gun sales through licensed dealers, meaning that if an individual wishes to sell a gun to another individual then that transaction needs to go through a proper channel where a vetting process can occur. An option should also exist for the seller to perform the vetting process at their own cost if they so choose. Policies should be put in place for parents with children under 18 years of age which should provide proof of security for military style weapons and equipment, such as gun safe, trigger lock, or some form of disablement. The primary objective is to keep military style weapons and equipment in the hands of responsible owners.
In current economy more than ever in the past, small and medium businesses look for private investment capital to grow and expand. This may seem like a natural concept, but it comes at a price. Investors seek high interest loans or equity ownership in the business for the investment. Special consideration is given to the idea that limiting private capital firms from holding majority ownership or charging high interest rates will allow the proprietor to pursue passion and innovation rather than lucrative exits through corporate acquisitions. Further considerations is given to the idea that the IRS should have a status for employee owned businesses. Such businesses would be given some incentives to continue innovation, research, and growth for small companies start-ups that serve the interests of it's members.
Executive salaries have risen exponentially in the recent decade. While the responsibilities may have risen as well, the belief is that no one person is worth more than the team. Policies need to be shifted to increase corporate taxes, but provide incentives for stock options, profit sharing, and a 401K match with intent to lower their tax rates. Exact rules and regulations need to be discussed, but the belief is that a worker will be more productive if they are invested in the company goals. Note that some foreign countries have salary caps for executive pay based on their lowest paid worker. This idea should be studied for its long-term and short-term affects to understand if it might have any form of applicability to expanding the middle class.
Long hours and added stress of down-sized businesses have become a normality in the middle class. Policies need to be shifted to work-life balance. Remote workers shouldn't be treated any differently then on-site workers. Policies should be shifted to promote wage fairness, whether you are male, female, or which state you live. There should be no factor in wage determination based on cost of living by state or region since each job description has same responsibilities. Tax policies need to be shifted in favor of remote workers to allow deductions for office space and expenditures. Remote workers also decrease burden on hospitals from reduced car collisions and the burden on climate change from consumption of fossil fuels. Private industry needs incentives to promote or earn remote working status.
It is contemplated that Artificial Intelligence applications will be disruptive to the economy. It is a very real concern that many jobs could be replaced. The thought is that AI advancement is inevitable which calls for a balanced approach to policy to help protect jobs while workers retrain. Since AI doesn't sleep, get sick, take a vacation, or resign for a better position, it will be a very lucrative idea for employers. Policy needs to be shifted in favor of collective bargaining which will make it easier for middle class workers to keep current positions during periods of retraining.
The government currently provides 10% of every tax dollar to private industry as subsidies. The belief is that emerging markets do need a helping hand up, but mature industries don't need a hand out. Policies need to be shifted to wean tax dollars from mature industries which will promote efficiency, innovation and production while decreasing government spending. The removal of the government lobby agencies will help level the playing field for all.
Crypto currency should be regulated and treated like any other traded stock. Policies should be shifted to maintain oversight to prevent Ponzi schemes. This type of currency is not insured and is subject to trends that are not based on an entire economy, but based on popularity and a finite measure of quantity. The volatility of crypto currency is not a recommended currency for purchase power, but policies shouldn't prevent it from being used in the market by businesses willing to accept it.
The trade of goods world wide is an issue that is front and center in current political events. The belief is that domestic incentives should be used to promote job growth. While manufacturing jobs are important for self-preservation of the country, the realization is that not all manufacturing can exist here. Some geographic regions and cultures are better suited for some products. The strategy and policy should shift to become a partner in the process of getting goods to market. An example would be a mutual trade policy where raw materials are produced overseas, but assembly, packaging and distribution occurs in the US. Any trade situation where a foreign country acts as a wholesaler and the US acts as a retailer should not be subject to high tariffs because there is significant money being made on each side. The belief is that tariffs should only be used as a last resort. Most countries produces something that is needed elsewhere in the world, so trade negotiations should be diplomatic in the sense that each side feels they are getting the best possible deal. However, government should evaluate the market in order to apply policy as necessary. For example, if foreign vehicles are slightly less expensive then domestic cars but sales for a particular foreign vehicle sector are higher due to factors of reduced maintenance costs or increased longevity, then alternative policies should be considered to allow domestic makers to be more competitive with tariffs being a last resort.
The issues of tax brackets, laws, and loop holes is a constant source for lobby by those who are independently wealthy as well as large corporations. Policies need to be shifted to amend tax laws for fairness and close loop holes that allow income tax to be reduced tax or eliminated for wealthy individuals. This also includes loop holes for businesses that enable practices that take advantage of middle class consumers. If you are a family of 2 employed people, take zero exemptions, and still have to pay taxes into the government on a yearly basis; it is not a signal that too much money was made but rather that others may not be paying their fair share.
The amount of money directed to political candidates and their elections has sky-rocketed in recent years since the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission. The formation of political action committees allow wealthy donors to be anonymous. Policies need to be shifted towards transparency where PACs are required to publish all their donors. Furthermore, the support of policy that makes it illegal for insider trading by congressional representatives to mitigate financial corruption in our government. Campaign financing laws need to be reassessed for possible unfair lines of influence. The idea is that one donor shouldn't have more respective influence than another and money doesn't equal free speech when it is directly handed to a candidate.
The topic of immigration is very sensitive. While it is a fact that immigrants hold jobs and contribute to the economy, they is also a criminal element to the population. However, the best compromise of situation is allow illegal immigrants to obtain a green card for a given time, perhaps a year, given several stipulations; 1) they must be enrolled in citizenship classes, 2) maintain full employment, and 3) have a photo ID. If all stipulations are satisfied, the green card status may be renewed a number of times until citizenship is achieved. Individuals convicted of a felony may be put on probation or deported depending on the severity of the offense or the number of convictions. This would allow a path to citizenship that is earned and not blindly given.
Conservation of natural wonders has been a on-going establishment that dates back to Theodore Roosevelt. Our national parks and forests should continue to be expanded and protected for generations to come. There are few things more memorable to individuals that discover nature in these protected areas. Policies need to be shifted to protect and maintain these places with funding and laws that limit or eliminate development, mining, or drilling. Special consideration for land owners that improve conservation goals and or maintain conservation guidelines on their own land which could allow tax incentives.
A recognition of climate change is a realization. Scientific data and information will be considered in policies that keep clean air, water, and soil for future generations. Policies must be shifted towards reducing greenhouse gases through innovation and research. A strategy of “all-of-the-above” is a consideration while not limiting other productive industries that are cost effective. Special consideration for wind and solar energy to be produced on less productive agricultural land or in large cities with tall buildings capable of structures. Policy and influence must be used to prevent deforestation here and abroad. Special consideration for possible government funded programs for the planting of trees in areas of devastation.
With the increase in natural disasters, policies should be shifted to both provide effective emergency response and provide funding for gaps that private insurance doesn't cover such as emergency shelter, food, or services. While government spending may increase for these scenarios, committees in congress should be set up to manage policy with responsible appropriations.
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