this post was submitted on 09 Sep 2024
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WaPo article

Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign posted a list of her policy positions on her website Sunday, as the latest polls show her locked in a tight race with former president Donald Trump.

Titled “A New Way Forward,” the page outlines her agenda on the economy as well as immigration and foreign policy. On each issue, the campaign contrasts her positions with the agenda of Project 2025, the far-right policy proposal that Democrats have warned could form the blueprint for a second Trump presidency, even as the Republican nominee has distanced himself from it. Harris and Trump will face off in their first debate Tuesday.

The page says Harris’s economic policies are aimed at “lowering the costs of everyday needs” for working- and middle-class families. They include the expansion of two tax credits, which the campaign said would benefit 100 million families: the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, for which Harris aims to include a $6,000 cut for families with newborns.

Harris, who has sought to build on President Joe Biden’s economic agenda, says she will extend to all Americans the cap on prices of lifesaving prescription drugs brought in by their administration — including capping the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 per month and limiting annual out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs to $2,000. Those two provisions are currently in effect for Medicare beneficiaries, but extending them to all Americans could face resistance from the pharmaceutical industry and Republicans, The Washington Post has reported.

Another campaign promise for the middle class is the provision of a $25,000 credit for first-time home buyers. She has also promised the “first-ever federal ban on corporate price gouging on food and groceries.”

Harris’s economic agenda also includes the expansion of the existing $5,000 tax deduction for start-up firms to $50,000. This, The Post has reported, is an attempt to draw a contrast with Trump, who has called for reducing the tax rate paid by corporations and maintaining lower tax rates for high-income people, along with policies aimed at helping people in other tax brackets.

On health care, the Harris campaign does not mention support for Medicare-for-all. She has said she no longer supports it, reflecting a shift away from some of the progressive stances that marked her 2019 presidential campaign.

The campaign also promised to revive a bipartisan border security bill and make it law to tackle the thorny issue of immigration. Trump — whose criticism and mischaracterization of the bill helped torpedo it — has repeatedly attacked Harris on border security and disparaged her as a failed “border czar.” Although she wasn’t placed in charge of the border as vice president, she was assigned to address the root causes of migration, such as poverty and violence, in Central America.

On her foreign policy outlook, the Harris campaign said she will “stand with” the United States’ allies and “stand up to dictators” while ensuring that “America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century.” On Israel’s war in Gaza, an emotional and divisive issue for many Democratic voters, the campaign repeated her pledge to stand up for Israel’s right and ability to defend itself as well as making sure Palestinians have a right to self-determination and security.

The Trump campaign attacked Harris in August for not having a policy page on its campaign site. On his own campaign site, Trump has a brief list of 20 policy items, including “seal the border” and “end inflation.”

https://archive.ph/hxuZQ

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[–] [email protected] 50 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Literal gobblederemoved. Some tax credits and vague promises of stopping price gauging. Along with a complete shift to the right on foreign policy and immigration. She won't touch the Palestinian genocide with a 6000 mile pole until after they're all dead and then just blame Bibi for being so evil but alas what more could they have done?

Any leftists who think they can shift this neoliberal Ghoul to the left are delusional. She's going to be the second coming of Obama replete with an excuse for why nothing good can actually happen while everything turns to dust around us.

[–] [email protected] 32 points 2 months ago (5 children)

Literally gobblederemoved

“Is the slur you filtered in the room with us right now?”

[–] [email protected] 33 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

The slur is so much more slur painted in negative. It is louder in its absence.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

That one wasn't on the site-approved swear chart.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 months ago

This site is unironically funny whenever it does that

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago

Fresh sremovedhorpe problems served daily.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

Apologies I wasn't aware that was a slur. I'll do better.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

Beat me to it. failure

[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 months ago

jokermala "We uhhh, we're gonna torture some folks"

[–] [email protected] 43 points 2 months ago (1 children)

On health care, the Harris campaign does not mention support for Medicare-for-all. She has said she no longer supports it, reflecting a shift away from some of the progressive stances that marked her 2019 presidential campaign.

Healthcare please yes-honey-left

[–] [email protected] 24 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I just want to ask her what arguments she's heard that made her reconsider her position. What has convinced you madam VP that health care for all is actually bad. You previously supported it so...

Because obviously such arguments must exist. Otherwise Harris was simply lying for naked political gain previously. She'd never do that right?

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago

It was a debate!

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago

she has a good chance to win this time, that's why she cant afford to promise good things

[–] [email protected] 42 points 2 months ago

Harris’s economic agenda also includes the expansion of the existing $5,000 tax deduction for start-up firms to $50,000. This, The Post has reported, is an attempt to draw a contrast with Trump, who has called for reducing the tax rate paid by corporations and maintaining lower tax rates for high-income people, along with policies aimed at helping people in other tax brackets.

That’s what American politics has come to, “giving additional tax breaks to corporations” vs “giving additional tax credits to new corporations” is presented as the “divide” between the two pseudo-state parties.

[–] [email protected] 32 points 2 months ago (1 children)

my favorite policy position is that things should be better

[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Now hold on. That's crazy talk. It would cripple the democrat's goal of giving speeches about their plans for change that are so close to happening if people could just vote a little harder.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

i'll have you know the word should is very deliberate. i am well versed in the ways of civility

[–] [email protected] 28 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

In a 5-10 year timeframe, a committee will be established to oversee the committee that is advising the planning committee that is coming up with a plan morshupls

Ask me how real that is and how it relates to the Lucy football known as California high speed rail for the past thirty fucking years. football-lucy

[–] [email protected] 28 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Maybe she's taking the 'Trump vs. generic Democrat' polling literally. It'd be funny as hell if she wins off that strategy.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 2 months ago (2 children)

May actually be a reason why she'll win. Her polls are narrowing, but who knows anymore

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 months ago

Yeah, I'm not holding my breath that she will, Palestine will likely be her undoing. But she's infinitely more likable than Clinton to normies and doesn't have decades of oppo on her.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 months ago (1 children)

She's lost the lead to trump already. He's at 48% and she's at 47% with likely voters

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, it’s the democrat way

[–] [email protected] 25 points 2 months ago

In 2020 I asked a friend who had watched the DNC if Biden had discussed any actual policy. No, he said, the convention was about "competence and compassion," and that was good, that was just what America needed.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 2 months ago (2 children)

always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago

Go ahead, throw your vote away!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

If you don't vote for Kang, that's a vote for Kodos!

[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 months ago (3 children)

As someone near poverty wages, it's wild there's no promise of making things better for people like me, who could actually would benefit greatly from some breaks. The promise to ban price gouging on groceries likely isn't going to do anything about prices that have now been set, further I'll believe it when I see it. It's all just promises for the already well-off. Not even a bone for the poors. Great country.

I do love Trump's direct but equally vague "seal the border" and "end inflation."

It's a really cool election we have here

[–] [email protected] 22 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm on SSI. The "SSI Restoration Act" was one of the first things jettisoned from "Build Back Better," and although the bill is reintroduced with every Congressional session, it never goes anywhere. I haven't seen Harris say anything about it at all. Eight million people are on SSI and are not allowed to save money or own assets. If we earn more than $20 a month, half of our earnings go toward reducing our astoundingly meager benefits.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 months ago (2 children)

What the fuck? That sounds like it's basically house arrest, what are you supposed to do?

[–] [email protected] 22 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that if a friend buys you dinner you are legally obligated to report it so that your benefits can be reduced. And you're not allowed to take volunteer positions because that would indicate that you're able to work.

We're not supposed to do anything. We're supposed to be miserable all the time and think about how even though we're disabled, we really ought to be working. I'm lucky enough that I enjoy reading and other free things, and I have friends who can help me with major purchases like shoes or oil changes. Those who were under 26 when they became permanently disabled can have a particular kind of savings account, but are only allowed to spend the money on "qualified disability expenses," and their friendly local Social Security caseworker will not have heard of this account and will not assist them in establishing it.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago

Punitive, protestant work ethic bullshit. I'm sure they try to make you feel like they're being so helpful and generous too.

I'm sorry

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

My state has a little bit better SSI things going on than elsewhere in the country, but it's also protestant work ethic bullshit. I can't even own a car (despite being disabled and not able to walk to the bus stop) without it counting as an asset I'd have to sell to put myself below the maximum.

Some incomes are federally exempt from counting towards monthly income and total assets. Most of these are things like Native American tribal benefits and student programs. However, these exemptions are still done to the benefit of the wealthy. If you and your spouse own a business, the business itself along with the land it's on is not counted as part of your assets so long as your combined monthly income is under $3,000. Art and jewelry are also exempted as long as you're "using them." So if you have several million dollars worth of Picasso paintings hanging in your dining room and not in storage, you don't have to sell those.

And of course you're allowed to use your SSI to gamble, so long as you report your winnings. You'll have to pay back some of the money if you win more than $2,000 obviously, but they gotta be sure to keep people dreaming of something better while doing nothing to improve your situation.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Huh, I'm allowed to own a car. My FAQ says one vehicle doesn't count toward the asset limit. I didn't realize that was state-specific, too.

I don't know how it will be possible to replace it once it dies, though.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

My household already has 1 vehicle so I'm not allowed to have my own. Carpooling is fine, it's the lack of public transit. When someone takes the car to work, I have no way of getting anywhere around except if I get a taxi.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago

Oh, right, the "household" rules. So much of this stuff is just intentionally spiteful. SSI is the institutional version of that Fox News infographic shaming poor folk for owning refrigerators.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 months ago (2 children)

The promise to ban price gouging on groceries likely isn't going to do anything about prices that have now been set

She clarified that it wasn't even going to be something she would do to address food costs now, it was only going to be in the event of future natural disasters or other crises. Literally nothing.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 months ago

Christ.

"You know the crisis that just happened that's totally over now? That was bad right? We're gonna make the next one less bad! If it's during this administration. Probably. Again, do not bring up the ~~current~~ previous, completely over crisis that has caused inflation and seen corporate price gouging. We're concerned about the future here"

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

And barely does anything not already covered by existing laws about price gouging during disasters in most states

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago

Yeah I'm in a situation where I'm food insecure and forced to live with an abusive parent because the alternative is homelessness. It's all vibes all the way down and the only "policy" is for middle managers and the bourgeois.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 2 months ago

You're going to fix homelessness by putting everyone into homes right? anakin-padme-1

Right? anakin-padme-4

anakin-padme-3

[–] [email protected] 22 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Do you guys think we can still get a student loan debt forgiveness program for Pell Grant recipients who start a business that operates for three years in disadvantaged communities? Or is that too radical now and we missed our chance?

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago

There's now a $45k increase on tax rebates for people who start a small business, which is real substantial progress. You don't even have to be a Pell Grant recipient!

[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Vice President Harris will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to protect U.S. forces and interests from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups. Vice President Harris will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and she will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself. She and President Biden are working to end the war in Gaza, such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination. She and President Biden are working around the clock to get a hostage deal and a ceasefire deal done.

...

[–] [email protected] 25 points 2 months ago

She and President Biden are working around the clock

Unfortunately, it's a clock that Biden drew. Which is to say, they are doing nothing, but somehow still going backwards occasionally

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 months ago

the suffering in Gaza ends

When the last Palestinian is dead?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 months ago

of course the first two points about Gaza have to do with protecting Israel

"we must secure a future for Israeli children. also something something Palestinians, are you fucking happy now?"

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Under the reproductive rights section:

“ Vice President Harris has traveled America and heard the stories of women hurt by Trump abortion bans. Stories of couples just trying to grow their family, cut off in the middle of IVF treatments. Stories of women miscarrying in parking lots, developing sepsis, losing the ability to ever have children again – all because doctors are afraid they may go to jail for caring for their patients.”

She heard stories, folks. She’s done the work. No mention of actual legislation she would put in place to ensure reproductive rights, but she’s heard the damn stories. What more could you possibly want from her.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

What’s that quote about liberals only wanting to bear witness to suffering?

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