I’ve got news for you: Bernie and his supporters are the center. Today’s Democratic party is to the right of Eisenhower era Republicans and the Republicans are off the right end of the spectrum, as well as beyond the bounds of legitimacy.
Today, “extreme” means doing things majorities of the American public support, like public health care options and higher taxes for the wealthy. What would real left wing extremist ideas look like?
All income of any kind is subject to Social Security taxes. There would be a new higher rate tripling the payroll tax for income over $250,000 per year. Benefits will be increased to support a secure and comfortable living, and full benefits will begin at age 55. There will be no taxes on it ever, and no restrictions on additional income. People that don’t need it don’t get it.
There should be no such thing as a professional lobbyist. It would be a felony to attempt to do so. No elected official will ever be allowed to lobby, and doing so would be a felony.
Insurance of all kinds sold by the government at no profit.
No charge for any health care. Attempting to prioritize profits over the health of even one human would be a felony.
Fossil fuel executives and their accomplices in climate denial to be prosecuted for crimes against humanity.
Koch Bros, ALEC, and their accomplices to be prosecuted for their treasonous corruption and undermining of our government and our Republic.
Cheney, W, Wolfowitz, Feith, and their accomplices to be sent to the Hague.
Restore public control of our airwaves.
Citizens have a right to opt out of internet advertising.
It should be illegal to have a billion dollars, and attempting to do so should meet with serious scrutiny.
There should be a maximum wage set according to the lowest paid employee’s wage.
Every citizen has a guaranteed minimum income.
Wall St. criminals to be prosecuted and their ill-gotten gains seized. No statute of limitations.
There should be 110% wealth inheritance tax, and the family is on the hook for the 10%, even if it takes generations. They’ve already had generations of favor, now they pay the share they’ve shirked all these years.
Dismantle the nuclear arsenal and all foreign bases. Military spending only for defensive purposes.
Mandatory renewable energy.
Non-profit public ownership of all telephone, internet, and utilities.
Public broadcasting at the same funding and access levels as corporate media with no corporate or political input or influence on content.
Require any financial advisor to act as fiduciary.
Postal banking providing nonprofit financial services.
Mandatory voting with automatic registration at age 18. People can vote any time over a period of a month, and can vote online in any location nationwide. They use their SSN to log in and see the relevant ballot wherever they are.
Government should provide most conveniences and services for free, such as tax prep, passport photos, documents, maps, job listings, legal advice, etc.
High tax rates on corporations and the wealthy, and the first $40,000 in income to be exempt.
Public financing of all elections.
Mandatory ignorance abatement courses in school.
Nobody on the left is proposing anything extreme. Today’s Republicans are extreme, but the socialist ideas so far proposed are not, and the fact they are depicted or rejected as such by Democrats or supposed liberals gives the distinct impression we’ve been sold out and are expected to just accept it.
