Presidential Debate (I'm Pro and You're Con)

For the first time in American history, the people of this country will have a legitimate choice between an unabashed candidate of capital and a candidate of labor. For the first time in American history, at the end of four years, if my government is successful in implementing a plan of economic democratization throughout our industries, our businesses, and our vital public services, the ruling classes of this country will not stand a chance in a democratic contest. The ruling class will not lose their basic freedoms or their personal property, but the economic institutions which the currently control- the institutions that are "too big to fail"- will no longer be theirs, but the property of the public, managed by those who are the most affected by their existence. Many of our government institutions will be devolved into more local, more decentralized authorities. No longer will the State be an institution of ill will and top-down provision, instead it will become the rightful association of the American people, answerable closely to their will. We realize that this process will be hard. It will require the support of a large portion of the public to enact in full, but this government does have a concrete plan in dealing with these pressing issues. They include the following, 1) The creation of a National Development Bank funded through a stock transfer tax (one cent per share), and managed primarily by state and local authorities to fund projects in infrastructure, research and development, and the creation of worker-owned enterprises. 2) The development of a publicly-funded National Workers' Union to integrate most American workers for collective bargaining agreements and a syndicalist program of worker buy-outs. This union will be a powerful institution which can be wielded by workers and their representatives to transfer private ownership to social ownership and equalize the currently drastic imbalances of wealth and income in our economy. Any company with over 1,000 workers will be equipped into this program for partial worker-ownership and management (52 percent control minimum), unless they are designated as national priorities (some oil producers, steel companies, and any other institution which cannot be sufficiently represent the public interest through worker-control). 3) The elimination of federal corporate taxation on capital investment, workers' wages, and R&D, while sharply increasing levels of taxation on shareholder profit (upwards of 50 percent in some industries). We will also launch a massive program of grants for small businesses (employing under 1,000 workers) and for cooperatives. This will heavily reduce the burden of bank loans. 4) Consumer organizations will also be encouraged through tax-incentives by the federal government. These institutions will be integrated into public services and private enterprises to provide feedback about product quality, prices, and the use of American-made goods in production. 5) America shall pursue a new, balanced trade policy. We will not pursue agreements like TPP which have the potential to harm our high-tech manufacturing sector- and we will seek to significantly reduce our trade deficits by working with other trading partners and allies (including the European Union and Asian countries) to keep our exports and imports in balance. Where we can have technological advantages and product quality advantages over competitors, we will do so by protecting certain vulnerable industries through a Economic Planning Board. 6) We desire to pursue a full employment policy. All those who are able to work and willing to work will be given the opportunity to do so under the new government. To keep inflation in check, the Economic Planning Board will be integrated into state enterprises, worker-owned enterprises, and local communities to ensure that supply and demand increases are coordinated across the economy. 7) We will significantly reduce the federal taxation burden on most Americans. In order to keep taxes lower for nearly 80 percent of the population, we will introduce a graduated wealth tax on the richest Americans and a high bracket income tax of 60 percent on incomes above $1 million a year. We plan to introduce a tax free zone for people making under $30,000 a year- lifting many out of poverty. We want to standardize tax credits and possibly pursue the conversion of a progressive income tax to a logistically calculated income tax with a smooth curve- and simple calculation. 8) The Economic Planning Board will have the ability to implement capital controls on corporations who are leaving the country for overseas tax havens and low income countries. These operations will be transparent and efficient- and used only after deliberations by not only the Planning Board, but workers in companies in question. 9) We want to explore the use of cybernetics and other technological maximization techniques in industry which can promote efficient use of resources as well as democratic control by workers. We would also like to introduce true cost pricing to fully express environmental destruction and social costs through market prices. 10) Finally, our government will encourage the development of direct-democratic institutions within local governments across the country, including participatory budgeting and increased integration of public services with community organizations. These efforts will help reduce corruption and will allow citizens to participate directly in the allocation of funding for public services upon which they depend. *Note this is only part of the policies that the government advocates, especially concerning the economy.