By James Turnage author of “Four More Years”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted a list of the issues Fox Noise and the Trump Fascist Party call “radical, extreme left agenda.

Medicare for All

A Living Wage & Labor Rights

K-16 schooling, aka Public Colleges

100% Renewable Energy

Fixing the pipes in Flint

Not Hurting Immigrants

Holding Wall Street Accountable

Most of this list is already in place in other developed nations. Let’s see how “extreme” these issues are.

There are 585 billionaires in the United States; up from 540 during President Obama’s administration. In 2018 there were 10.1 million millionaires in America. Today there are 11 million millionaires. It is unforgivable that millions of Americans do not earn a livable wage. The federal minimum wage remains at $7.25, although a ‘livable’ wage in most American cities is well above $15.00 per hour.

Higher education has become only a dream for most low-income and impoverished Americans. The cost is prohibitive. We are losing some of our nation’s greatest minds because of money. America is ranked 15^th in the world in the area of education.

Climate change caused by man’s use of fossil fuels has been confirmed by 95 percent of the world’s scientists and intelligent Americans experience this fact in larger storms, and longer drought periods. Moving towards a nation which relies on 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources is mandatory; will save the environment for our children and grandchildren; and will create millions of well-paying jobs.

When the Republican Governor of Michigan, Rick Scott, began implementing austerity programs in his state, he made a rash decision to redirect Flint’s water supply from Detroit’s water system to the Flint River in 2014. Almost immediately the water loosened lead from the ancient water system and the water became unfit to drink, wash dishes or clothes, or to bathe in. The problem continues today. Why? Republicans are the party of racists and the majority of Flint’s residents are black.

America must stop treating men, women, and children who seek asylum in our nation as enemies. The Trump administration altered the way we treat other humans who simply want what we have. Separating parents from their children is inhuman and not the American way. This must stop immediately.

It was Wall Street that caused a near depression in 2008. A refusal by a Republican administration to make rules which would have controlled the actions of our nation’s largest banking institutions allowed these “too big to fail” companies to take illegal actions to increase profits and increase stock prices for their investors. During President Obama’s administration agencies and rules were established to prevent a recurrence. Trump has removed nearly all of these rules and greatly diminished the power of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Moscow Mitch McConnell has refused to allow a floor vote on more than 200 bills passed in the House since January 3^rd. Some of these bills would have addressed these issues; issues which are far from extreme. They are sensible and necessary to restore democracy in America and bring back dignity and integrity to our nation.

Republicans must be removed from Washington. Please vote on November 3, 2020.

Tell everyone; “the truth lives here.”

Op-ed by James Turnage

SOURCE

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