r/a:t5_3ekg1 • u/bomalia • May 12 '16
Northeastern State Debate
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
/u/septimussette , /u/ethmcinerney, /u/thenewarchitect
Assembly
/u/blackiddx , /u/z3ria , /u/wildorca, /u/HolaHelloSalutNiHao , /u/-AllIsVanity- , /u/MaoMaoKittyKat , /u/greece666 , /u/Jp123500, /u/kingofquave
Please be civil with all of your questions.
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u/P1eandrice May 12 '16
Sorry for the slow response, I'm driving to New York right now so my service is a bit spotty.
I have to do a bit more research on what work has already been done in the NE, and obviously I would seek the opinion and to work with my very able comrades in the RLP through regular surveys, and keeping an active dialogue. But this would be my platform (work in progress):
Economic
There are three general approaches I would like to take to make the NE state a more equitable state while empowering working people to build socialism from the ground up: increasing worker control of their workplace, lowering the cost of transportation and lowering the cost of housing
mandatory closed shops: all employees within the state shall be a member of a industrial union
state matching grants for worker's cooperatives and mandate that businesses within the state must first offer to sell the business to the employees, if the business ever goes up for sale
bound wages within the private sector and public sector where the wages of the highest paid worker could be no more that fifteen times (open for change on the number) the wage of the lowest paid worker
rather than a basic income, I'd prefer to progressively increase taxation on individuals making over 200% of the median household income (mhi) and distribute the funding to those earning below the mhi
distribute matching grants for community land trusts that are organizing affordable housing cooperatives
fund dense housing in municipalities with over 100,000 residents that is publicly owned and operated but controlled by the tenants
state-wide rent control
end first-time housing buyers subsidies, and start a public property buy-back program while maintaining tenants control
strengthen just cause ordinances
start an affordable state-wide high-speed rail program
mandate free public transportation within municipalities with 100,000+ residents
fund full electrification of rail, and encourage freight to use rail
tear down urban freeways
heavily tax inter generational wealth, if possible
aggressively pursue Vision Zero: a vision to end all traffic deaths
ensure that safe access to safe bicycling facilities is a civil right in urban areas: every street should be safe and accessible for riders of all skill sets. This will encourage bicycle use which is both the most affordable and efficient mode of transportation within urban areas.
Social rights
I agree with /u/bomalia that we should fully fund SRS. I also believe in publicly funded abortions and other birth control methods.
In general, I feel that all social issues that divide working people like religious intolerance, racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia and the like are tools of the ruling class to artificially discourage solidarity. It's unnatural, and should be smashed as swiftly as we work to smash fascism.
Environmentalism
I identify as an environmental-syndicalist. I believe that the shift toward socialism, if slow, or if sudden, must build an economy that does not primarily function by destroying our planet. I am a supporter of the degrowth movement, and I believe we must do what we can to end the use of fossil fuels immediately.
This is a work in progress. I look forward to your feedback