Demand Unity. Demand REAL.
Welcome to the club, Elon
TODAY'S RAMBLINGS
3 Minute Read
Happy Monday, and as I’ve said before:
Paging Teddy Roosevelt.
But I’m desperate, so hearing that Elon Musk now recognizes what a lot of Americans already know will suffice:
Our country is ripe for a coalition third party that speaks for the vast majority of us in the middle who want quality governance. A party that seeks to unify us, and one that demonizes neither the rich or the poor, but instead works for both, and all the rest of us in between.
Over the years, I have mentioned my fantasy political party, REAL, which is short for Rational, Ethical, Actual, Leadership. But given the increased attention to third parties, I wonder if it must remain a fantasy? Perhaps someone will listen and adopt some or all of my make-believe party’s platform?
So it would seem a good time to summarize its key tenets . . .
First, the REAL Party is just that. Our candidates will speak like human beings and also reliably speak the truth. The word is reality. So it’s about unity and reality.
Next, The Great 8:
#1: Get Wealth Inequality Under Control
Annual income above $100 million (perhaps even $50 million?) is taxed at 75%
Reinstate a vigorous estate tax
Capital gains are taxed as regular income
A global treaty on corporate tax rates
#2: Eliminate the Social Security Tax Limit
Presently, only the first $176,100 of annual income is subject to the Social Security tax. Get rid of that limit and secure Social Security forever for those who need it.
#3: Department of Defense Right-Sized and Medicare and Social Security are Means-Tested
#4: Gerrymandering is Federally Banned
#5: Congress to Pass Legislation Effectively Overturning Citizen’s United
We must restore legitimate democracy. Did you know that Congressional approval nationally is something like 20%, yet 97% of incumbent House and Senate members were re-elected last cycle?
That should be impossible, but that’s how corrupt we’ve become.
#6: A Living National Minimum Wage
#7: Medicare Sets Pricing for the Top 100 Prescribed Drugs, and Pharma Advertising is Banned
#8: Section 230 Protections Removed for Algorithmically Elevated Speech
And here are executive summaries for two of the party’s major proposals. Full disclosure: Both were prepared by artificial intelligence, based upon my prompts. But if you take the time to review each via their links, you’ll probably feel as I do:
If only Congress were as smart.
The proposed framework eliminates the 2023 ($1.7 trillion, the latest for which accurate numbers were available) deficit through strategic revenue enhancements of $850 billion and spending reductions of $850 billion, incorporating advanced economic modeling to ensure sustainable implementation. The magnitude of this fiscal gap requires comprehensive reform across multiple government functions rather than incremental adjustments, supported by bipartisan political coalition building and robust economic safeguards.
Intelligent Immigration Policy
This comprehensive immigration reform framework proposes a modernized, economically-driven approach to U.S. immigration policy that balances labor market needs with humanitarian obligations.
The plan centers on five key pillars: a dynamic skills-based system that adjusts visa numbers based on economic indicators; a multi-year earned legalization program for current undocumented immigrants; streamlined family reunification with reduced backlogs; an expanded and efficient refugee system; and technology-forward border security focused on ports of entry rather than physical barriers.
The framework is designed to be largely self-financing through a reformed fee structure, legalization program revenue, and targeted tax measures, generating an estimated $20-25 billion annually while requiring $15 billion in operational costs. Implementation would occur over five years, beginning with immediate legalization enrollment and court system expansion, progressing to regional economic visa programs and digital processing systems, and culminating in a data-driven, self-sustaining immigration system. The plan emphasizes transparency, due process protections, and regular evaluation to ensure policies adapt to economic conditions and maintain both security and humanitarian commitments.
But what about climate change? Guns? Universal health care? Infrastructure? So much more?
See #4 and #5 of the Great 8 - we will never be able to address anything until we stop the corruption.
And get REAL.
Yeah, yeah, I know. But must it be?
FROM THE UNWASHED MASSES
Grr, I hate when I make mistakes - after all, it’s so rare. Right . . . right?
Apologies: It was about 5 minutes after I pushed “send” on Friday that Julie pointed out the actress who plays Sugar on The Bear is Abby Elliott, not Amy Elliott.
I hope her career wasn’t damaged too badly.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
KLUF
Beyond Diamond Certified and isn’t this correct in terms of breaking the two-party duopoly that’s ruining us?
I can also make the argument that this is the best hard rock album ever made, although perhaps someone will correct me?