PLATFORM
LIST OF ISSUES
Corporate Welfare
Each year the federal government provides over $200 billion in corporate welfare for which the average person does not benefit. Unsurprisingly we don't hear cries of "socialism" when wealth is transferred upward.
To put this figure in perspective, K-12 schools nationwide received only $119.1 billion from the federal government. Furthermore, the amount spent on corporate welfare could cover the cost of in-state tuition at public universities for every one of the 13.5 million undergraduates attending college, and we'd still have over $50 billion left over.
Farm Subsidies
To the detriment of consumers, tax payers, and family farms, we've allowed the corporate consolidation of our food supply. Congress justifies billions in farm subsidies each year under the premise that we need to support struggling family farms. However, the subsidies are structured to benefit the largest industrial farms that grow specific commodity crops, rather than farmers in general.
The top 1% of recipients (1,260 in 2024) received 23% of the subsidy payments. The top 20% received 80% of the commodity subsidies. Due to the derelict actions of the Trump administration we will be spending billions bailing out domestic soybean farmers, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The bailout is a direct result of tariffs on China, and the bailout of Argentina after they removed their export tax on soybeans. Argentina removed their export tax, which their soybeans significantly cheaper than ours, consequently China purchased soybeans from Argentinian farmer rather than American farmers. Removing the export tax resulted in a massive loss of revenue for the government of Argentina, exasperating their economic problems ahead of their upcoming elections. Republican mega donors are heavily invested in Argentina and are desperate for the reelection of Javier Milei. So, we prop up Argentina and Javier Milie with a $20 billion bailout (likely to increase), China receives their soybeans at a heavily discounted price, and then we have to spend $20-40 billion bailing out the American soybean farmers that were undercut by Argentina (and Trumps unconstitutional tariffs). That ridiculous waste of our resources is infuriating!
JBS (Brazil), National Beef Packing Co (Brazil), Cargill, and Tyson which control 80% of US beef. 25% of US pork is controlled by Smithfield (WH group China), which combined with Tyson, Hormel, and JBS controls 70% of the US pork market. JBS (again) DBA Pilgrim’s Pride, Tyson (again), Sanderson Farms, and Perdue Farms control +60% of poultry. They determine paid for cattle/hogs/chickens and the price consumers pay for meat. Due to their monopolistic practices livestock prices decrease while pork/beef/chicken prices increase.
Corporate farms should not receive 80% of the farm subsidies. Farm subsidies should be used to eliminate monopolistic farming, and increase independent farming. We should seek greater production of heirloom fruits/veggies production. Support should be given to establish sustainable farming to replace monoculture farming. Federal funding should be used for the development of independent feedlots, slaughterhouses/packing plants, and other mechanisms to reduce the meat monopoly. The quality of our meat should not fall as the price increases.
Citizens United and Dark Money
Promises to legislate dark money and unlimited corporate funding for political action committees are hollow and indicate a failure to comprehend the ruling. A constitutional amendment is the only way the Citizen's United ruling can be undone on a national level. Amending the Constitution is not happening with the hyper partisanship that dominates our country.
However, there is a solution and it lies with state legislatures. A corporation is an artificial being with powers granted by the state within which it is incorporated. The reason restrictions on corporate political spending were deemed an infringement on their first amendment rights was due to states providing corporations the same rights as people. The state legislature is the only viable venue for undoing the damage caused by the Citizens United ruling.
Per RCW 23B.01.020 The legislature has the power to amend or repeal all or part of this title at any time and all domestic and foreign corporations subject to this title are governed by the amendment or repeal. Per RCW 23B.03.020 unless its articles of incorporation provide otherwise, every corporation has the same powers as an individual to do all things necessary to carry out its business and affairs, including without limitation, power:...
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=23B.01.020
Affordability
Life has become unaffordable for too many. Groceries, housing, energy, health/auto/home insurance rates, everything is outpacing wages. This problem has been festering for decades. There is no cure all for this problem, it will take commitment at the local, state, and federal level to resolve these issues.
The bigger issue is the stagnation of wages coinciding with the reduction in union membership. Union membership is half what it was 40 years ago. Union workers on average receive 20% higher wages than their non-union counterparts (just compare what members of the WA State Nurses Association receive compared to non-union nurses). Unions also have a downstream effect on the wages and benefits of non-union workplaces competing for workers. Non-union workers see roughly a 10% increase in wages when local unionization occurs in their field.
Walmart and Amazon are the two largest employers in most states, they are willing to engage in illegal practices to ensure their workers do not unionize. It is no coincidence that the Walton family (Walmart heirs) dominate the list of the world's 50 wealthiest people, we provide approximately $13 billion subsiding their underpaid workers (SNAP/housing vouchers/Medicaid/etc.). Additionally, 26% of SNAP benefits are spent at Walmarts! It is shameful that 70% of SNAP and Medicaid recipients are full-time workers, yet the budget passed by congress massively reduced these benefits for the most vulnerable amongst us.
80% of worker dissatisfaction is due to non-wage issues, a lack of healthcare benefits, paid leave, poor workplace safety, toxic atmospheres are primary drivers of worker dissatisfaction. Unions remedy those situations. Over half the country consists of "Right to Work" states. Recently the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the National Labor Relations Board was unconstitutional, despite it existing for 100 years and there being multiple Supreme Court cases deciding otherwise. This hostility towards unions driven by the ultra-wealthy should concern all of us.
At will employment leaves workers in an extremely vulnerable position, you can be fired at any time for any non-discriminatory reason, and the social safety net is meager. WA some of the best unemployment benefits, yet it is only 50% of you wages, and they're likely to run out before you find suitable employment with the slow online hiring processes and deceptive job postings prevalent these days. Congress must increase worker protections and provide a comprehensive safety net for those facing unemployment.
Housing
Local changes to zoning laws can certainly make it easier to build. Implementation of new zoning won't make housing affordable, it will still need to be built, which requires labor and supplies, both of which are increasing due to the Trump agenda.
The construction industry is reliant on the migrant
labor we are currently actively deporting. Approximately 30% of the construction workers are immigrants. If supply cannot meet demand with immigrant labor, then it is irrational to expect a reduction in the labor force to do anything but exasperate the problem.
Tariffs increase costs, despite what the Republicans claim, you'd have to be foolish to believe that consumers are not the ones ultimately paying the price for the tariffs. Donald Trump stepped well outside his lane when putting a 35% tariff on Canada, our closest ally. Home building requires lumber, Canada has a lot of trees, and importation of Canadian lumber will cost 35% more until Congress takes action to protect the separation of powers and their right to enact tariffs (or the Supreme Court rules it unconstitutional for the president to enact tariffs).
Use of AI and algorithms designed to facilitate collusive price fixing amongst landlords must be outlawed. Rent should be at a fair market rate, not the maximum amount that can be extracted. Housing is a necessity, but the supply was consolidated in the hands of a few who conspired to set excessive rents knowing the desperate have no recourse.
The government needs to act on behalf of the people, not the corporate donors. Convincing arguments can be made for the bailouts following the collapse of the housing market in 2008. Why wasn't an effort made to help the people though? After the collapse homeowners had mortgages that were twice the value of their home/property. When rates dropped many were unable to refinance due to their property value being less than their mortgage value. Mandatory actions to help people keep their homes should have been a condition for receiving the bailouts, instead the government allowed private equity and hedge funds to gobble up properties at a depressed price.
Government is intended to protect the vulnerable (people) from the powerful, the individual cannot compete with the resources of big business. Throughout history we have seen the willingness of the corporations to harm people if the expected result is increased profits. We need to strengthen, rather than eliminate the agencies and departments that exist to protect us.