Forum – A column where you get eyes on both sides of a hot button issue.
Should Biden Steer More Left Given the Vocal Voices In the Democratic Party? Yes!
In a recent statement, GM pledged to stop selling Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles by 2035. This is not much different than one of the merely aspirational goals set out in the green new deal put forth by AOC and others. In other words, the so-called left-of-center Democrats are much closer to reality than they are given credit for.
On the other hand, we have 139 house republicans and 9 republican senators voting to overturn the 2020 election. This was after the failed insurrection attempt by the Trump mob. In other words, 80% of the GOP representation in Washington is willing to overthrow democracy. A significant majority of the registered republicans agree with this seditious position. As If sedition was not enough, the GOP is rich with Q-conspiracy followers and white supremacy groups to round out their core support. The principal policy position of this group is to hold onto power at all costs.
The COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession are exasperating inherent inequality and preventing us from focusing on the climate crisis and crumbling infrastructure. In this un-precedented environment of crisis and political chaos, the word centrist is meaningless. I hope the Biden Administration does the right thing and executes their plan to address these issues. They shouldn’t feel any pressure to make a common cause with the sedition caucus!
Mani Subramani is a veteran of the semiconductor equipment industry. He enjoys following politics and economics.
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Should Biden Steer More Left Given the Vocal Voices In the Democratic Party? No!
The Democrats won the Presidency and also a narrow majority in both houses of Congress. However, this win is not a license to pursue an ultra-left wing agenda as AOC, Sanders, etc. are advocating for. Pursuing socialist policies will be a death knell to the party in future elections.
Ours remains a center-right country. The country itself was founded by immigrants who shunned communism and socialism to make land emphasize personal liberty and freedom. Both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were successful in part because they governed as moderates. Barack Obama did not pursue a Medicare for All socialist medicine but rather made insurance available to many more Americans at affordable rates. Neither Clinton nor Obama tried to make college free for all. Yes, Americans would support aid to low-income students of merit to attend college. But there would be outrage if colleges are made free for all.
President Biden and the Congressional Democrats would be wise to pursue a centrist agenda that will ensure their re-election and prosperity for the USA.
Rameysh Ramdas is a resident of the SF Bay Area and has a keen interest in Politics and Current Events.
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