What About The Green Deal?

In one of my political facebook groups someone asked "what's the difference between a moderate and a progressive?" A lot of people agreed with my answer. We generally want the same things. But, moderates will compromise with conservatives to get something generally like what they want passed and progressives want conservatives to change their minds.

The "Green New Deal" is a progressive proposal covering a lot of things. Hard core progressives want it to become law as is. Moderates say it's a good starting point for the negotiations. But, only a watered down version of it will be able to pass into law.

The "Green New Deal" is a set of proposed economic plans. It's ambitious. It's about more then just the environment. It's not even an actual bill. It's just a proposal for a bill hard core progressives think we should embrace. It's also both a solution and a problem.

It's expense. Estimated to cost about $1 trillion dollars. Supporters say it will pay for itself through "creating jobs, improving public health, and reducing waste". That sounds a lot like the republicans trying to sell the tax cuts for the rich in 2017 as "paying for themselves". Seriously people? I know the general goal is to raise taxes on the rich. That very well could cost us the 2020 presidential race. Because a lot of non-rich people think they will be rich someday. The only real way to raise revenue for ANY project is to close loopholes the rich take advantage of.

 It's becoming a litmus test for democratic presidential candidates. Most have signed on but most are progressive so that's not surprising. It's the primaries. Progressive voters are loud so the candidates are courting them. At least most candidates are. But, we can't beat Trump with a progressive. Independents and republicans who don't like Trump are watching us carefully. If both parties offer someone extreme, right of center, center, and left of center voters will either not vote or go with an independent.

I've said this part before. We need someone who can reach the right of centers, centers, left of centers, moderate democrats, and progressives. A moderate who will compromise and listens to all sides. That is Beto but he's a future blog post. He's one of the smart ones that generally likes the concept but isn't endorsing the deal as is.

A lot of voters either don't believe human behavior effects the environment or don't like how extreme this "Green New Deal" is. I'm with Beto on this one. It's a great start to the negotiations. But, it would take a lot to be put into law as is. A majority in the senate and house as well as the presidency. Even then, we loose the house or senate in the following election. But, a compromised version of it could do a lot of good without angering moderate and center voters.

It's a solution because these are real issues that need to be addressed. Focusing on these issues is important. But, it will take more then 10 years and regulations need to keep in mind the cost of implementing them.

It's a problem because a lot of people aren't willing to compromise on it. It's a problem because it's very extreme and costly for people and companies to actually be able to implement without additional government subsidies.

It's a good start. It's important to have said "here are ideas on how to solve these problems". But, it's also too ambitious for reality. People won't be changing their minds to support this as is. But, a compromised version of this can make a big difference in making the country better for more people.

Here is what's in it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_New_Deal

Green New Deal Resolution

 

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey released a fourteen-page resolution^[39] for their Green New Deal on February 7, 2019. According to The Washington Post (February 11, 2019), the resolution calls for a “10-year national mobilization” whose primary goals would be:^[40]

"Guaranteeing a job with a family-sustaining wage, adequate family and medical leave, paid vacations, and retirement security to all people of the United States." 

"Providing all people of the United States with — (i) high-quality health care; (ii) affordable, safe, and adequate housing; (iii) economic security; and (iv) access to clean water, clean air, healthy and affordable food, and nature." 

"Providing resources, training, and high-quality education, including higher education, to all people of the United States."

"Meeting 100 percent of the power demand in the United States through clean, renewable, and zero-emission energy sources." 

"Repairing and upgrading the infrastructure in the United States, including . . . by eliminating pollution and greenhouse gas emissions as much as technologically feasible." 

"Building or upgrading to energy-efficient, distributed, and ‘smart’ power grids, and working to ensure affordable access to electricity." 

"Upgrading all existing buildings in the United States and building new buildings to achieve maximal energy efficiency, water efficiency, safety, affordability, comfort, and durability, including through electrification." 

"Overhauling transportation systems in the United States to eliminate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector as much as is technologically feasible, including through investment in — (i) zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and manufacturing; (ii) clean, affordable, and accessible public transportation; and (iii) high-speed rail." 

"Spurring massive growth in clean manufacturing in the United States and removing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing and industry as much as is technologically feasible."

"Working collaboratively with farmers and ranchers in the United States to eliminate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector as much as is technologically feasible."

https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/14/politics/green-new-deal-proposal-breakdown/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/07/politics/green-new-deal-details/index.html