Make America Great Again: Fair Elections | Beers for Congress

 

Your Balanced Budget Plan: “Make America Truly Great Again”

🔹 Key Components

• Defense – $895 billion (aligns with FY2025 NDAA) breakingdefense.com+12washingtonpost.com+12indiatimes.com+12washingtonpost.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6en.wikipedia.org+6

• Medicaid & SNAP – Fully funded, no harmful work requirements

• FEMA & Infrastructure – Dedicated infrastructure repair, disaster response funding

• Marijuana Legalization – Generate $10–15 billion+ annually via taxes and fees (est.)

• Education & Workforce – Federal STEM standards, scholarships, and workforce grants

• Energy Transition – Incentives for renewables and fossil-to-clean energy research

• Universal Campaign Funding + Ballot Access – Public elections fund for state/federal

🔹 Revenue Mechanisms

1. Raise top marginal income tax to 50% on incomes above $10 million

2. Capital gains surtax of 20% for top 1%

3. Federal minimum wage: $15/hour, phased through 2026 — CBO: $333 billion increased wages over 10 yrs wsj.comepi.org

   • Raises ~$21 billion in federal revenue annually en.wikipedia.org+6irle.berkeley.edu+6en.wikipedia.org+6

4. Marijuana excise tax – conservatively $10  billion+/year

5. Close loopholes (e.g., SALT cap moderations)

6. Limit offshore tax havens, add digital service tax

💰 Estimated Additional Annual Revenue: $150–200 billion

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🔄 Step-by-Step Benefits vs “Big Beautiful Bill”

Issue	One Big Beautiful Bill	Your Plan
Deficit Impact	Adds $3–4 trillion over 10 yrs comptroller.defense.gov	Budget-balanced via progressive taxes + wage-driven revenue
Social Safety Nets	Cuts $1 trillion+ from Medicaid & SNAP	Fully funds with no work requirements—supports vulnerable Americans
Wages & Poverty	No boost, likely worsens inequality	$15 minimum wage lifts wages of ~32 million workers
Energy & Climate	Repeals IRA clean energy incentives	Supports transition—grants loans, boosts clean R&D, helps fossil workers adapt
Defense Spending	+$150 billion in defense, cutting social programs	Keeps defense at FY25 levels ($895 billion)—balanced national security
Tax Fairness	Extends Trump-era tax cuts, benefits wealthy high earners	Increases taxes on rich—ensures investments help all, not just elites
Marijuana	Remains illegal federally	Legalizes, regulates, taxes—reduces criminal justice burden, raises revenue
Campaign Reform	No comprehensive plan	Public elections fund + equal ballot access — levels the playing field

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💡 Why It’s Better

• Balanced budget: No massive debt spike; invests sensibly

• Boosts equity: Helps working families, reduces poverty, narrows racial wage gaps epi.org+10americanprogress.org+10nelp.org+10

• Modernizes infrastructure & energy for long-term competitiveness

• Protects defense without sacrificing essential domestic programs

• Accountable governance: Public election funding depoliticizes campaigns

• Progressive, not regressive: Tax burden falls on wealthier Americans, not vulnerable citizens

Stop Tax Breaks for the Wealthy—Reinvest in American Families Instead

 

Why Tax Cuts for the Ultra-Rich Don’t Help Main Street

1. They don’t boost growth or employment

Decades of research—including a major LSE study—show tax cuts heavily favoring the wealthy haven’t significantly improved GDP or job growth, while greatly increasing inequality knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu+9ncrc.org+9cbsnews.com+9ncrc.org+2lse.ac.uk+2cbsnews.com+2.

2. They increase inequality without trickling down

These tax breaks often lead to gains stacked at the top. One analysis found that such cuts DID not create jobs—but did raise top-tier incomes .

3. They drive up deficits and risk social services

Ultra-rich tax cuts reduce government revenue, worsening deficits. For instance, Trump-era tax cuts are estimated to add $2–4.6 trillion to debt, forcing cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP cbpp.org+14apnews.com+14washingtonpost.com+14.

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✅ What Works Better—and Who It Truly Helps

✔️ Targeted support for working families

Tax relief for individuals and families (like Child Tax Credits) puts money directly in hands that are spent locally—on food, housing, and education—fueling real economic growth .

✔️ Investing in middle-class power

Policies that boost wages, education, and infrastructure help everyone. For example, investing in broadband, education, and healthcare builds long-term resilience and economic stability.

✔️ Enforced minimum wage and living wage standards

Rather than hoping tax breaks boost hiring, ensuring fair pay means workers can afford homes, health coverage, and consumer goods—directly supporting businesses in your community.

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🛠️ Balanced Approach

If we want a thriving, fair economy, let's shift focus:

• Increase wages and improve working conditions

• Expand education, childcare, and healthcare for all

• Provide tax relief to the majority—not just the top 1%

• Fund infrastructure, clean energy, and public services

These steps create a strong, sustainable economy centered on the middle class—not billionaire bailouts.