Refresh America Platform

What should freedom-loving American’s do in response to Trump’s autocratic rule by executive order, bypassing the House and Senate, and ignoring the Courts?

Start with the ideals and goals that made America great and bring them up to the modern world.

If we ever get to a next election, the Democratic Party or its replacement must have a platform that the average American can understand and support.

Businesses exist to deliver goods and services to people by following economic realities. It is the role of government to ensure that businesses met their obligations. It is not the role of the government to give tax breaks to corporations and bail them out if their risky bets fail.

Yes, corporations have legitimate concerns about laws and regulations that affect their businesss. To that end, It makes sense they are allowed to make contributions to political events, but they should be constrained to the same contribution limits and review as individual contributions.

Platform

A few planks to start with:

The Constitution must be updated to deal with financial, scientific, and social changes that have transformed the world since 1789.
- If government officials refuse to give testimony under oath before a legitimate oversight of another branch of the federal government, they are subject to an immediate and automatic gag order on that topic when communicating to media outlets.
- Volunteers must be subjected to open vetting for possible cross-purpose interests and with Senate approval if they act on behalf of the people of the United States.
- Amnesty. Limited to one use on one case per presidential term.
- Supreme Court terms. Each limited to 12 years on the bench, with staggered terms. Justices must adhere to a strict, compulsory code of ethics. Violating their oath ends their term and an interim Justice can be appointed by the president with the Senates concurrence.
- Constitutional Ombudsman. Authorized to submit violations by elected officials of their sworn duty to honor the Constitution directly to the Supreme Court who are required to hear and rule on the case within 30 days.
Taxation at the same progressive rates for people, corporations, and religious institutions.
- Income is not separated into earned and capital gains.
- Social Security and Medicare taxes are levied across all income.
Provide a United States Government Net Worth statement annually. This allows a clear view of whether the Annual Budget deficit is less than annual Net Worth gain. An important metric that is missing in government deficit and debt discussions.