There are two main issues with supposedly left-wing movements in the Anglosphere. It is understandable and good to want to fight for social justice. It is good to stand against transphobia, racism, sexism, and other evils.
But wen it comes to economic and climate issues the left-wing doesn’t make any sense.
Let’s start with climate, because this is straight forward. The most efficient policy to fight climate change is a carbon tax and dividend system. Canada has done this and it has already had the impact of shutting down 20-23 coal-fired plants for an entire year. The money is then returned the pockets of average Canadians, so most Canadians make more than they spend. It’s reasonable, just, and equitable. Give me another policy which doesn’t exempt big businesses and reduces wealth inequality while reducing emissions for a lower economic impact. I’ll wait.
Their staunch opposition to such schemes doesn’t make any sense.
But don’t worry, they had their opportunity in 2018 to propose how they would actually solve climate change. Cliff Mass analyzed their proposal, I don’t need to repeat his work. TLDR, it was basically greenwashing as if written by the coal industry.
Their economic proposals for inflation are non-nonsensical. In response to spiraling housing costs, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has decided he needs to stick it to landlords by restricting the building of more housing units. This is a common motif on the left in the US and Canada. It doesn’t work. People are moving to tech hubs, and with increased demand and stagnant supply the price must go up. Restricting housing to reduce rents is like going to a brothel to become a virgin again. It doesn’t work that way. It’s stupid.
But perhaps the most braindead demonstration the DSA doesn’t understand what they are talking about is when they say they want to end the independence of the Federal Reserve.
This is idiotic, let me explain why.
The best practice adopted by every strong economy today is to have the central bank be able to adjust interest rates on an as-needed basis to keep the economy moving smoothly. There’s no reason to deviate from this policy. If you have a competent head of government it’s not going to change. But less honorable politicians who get control of monetary policy will generally use the interest rate to their political advantage. This means reducing the interest rate before an election to increase their chances of being elected. This is a problem because it creates an unpredictable market.
Politicians can use the frantic changing of interest rates to manipulate the stock market to their personal benefit while creating general economic disarray.
So its best to keep monetary policy in the hands of an independent central bank, where the central bankers are forbidden from trading stocks for their personal benefit. This is also why members of congress should be forbidden from trading stocks. This is also why the President should not be allowed to unilaterally change tax policy. The conflicts of interest are just too great.
The American left needs to abandon these ideas.
So here’s a new basic platform for a better platform for American politicians:
- Tax policy is the domain of congress. Any changes in tax policy need to be done by law, not executive order.
- Preserve and defend the independence of the Federal Reserve.
- Every American needs health insurance at all times.
- Every American who wants to go to college needs to be able to do so without taking on debt as long as they stay in good academic standing with their school.
- Nationalize the railroads.
- Abolish ESTA. Citizens of democracies need to be able to visit America visa-free. Citizens of democracies should be able to go through customs using eGates.
- It should be easy for someone who is hired for doing a job in the United States to get a work visa. The exploitation of migrant farm workers needs to end.
- Defund the police.
- America has not built enough housing which is why housing prices are increasing rapidly. We need to legalize housing.
- America should work towards eventually joining the European Economic Area and Schengen Area with Canada.
I feel like this is a much more reasonable policy which will improve the quality of life for all Americans.