Category: Editorial Comment & Opinion

These articles are the comments and opinions of their respective authors. They may not reflect the views of the California Democratic Council.

Single Payer Health Insurance

Single Payer Health Insurance Now!After dozens of repeal votes over the last six years without a replacement plan, Congress now has the potential to repeal “Obamacare.” Our dream of Single Payer Health Insurance is fading.

On January 15th, Donald Trump announced his near-completion of a replacement, predicted to result in “insurance for everybody.” That’s only similar to Speaker Paul Ryan’s forecast of “universal access for all” to health insurance. Ryan leads the movement in Congress to reduce government requirements for available health plans.

Removing insurance company profit margins of 20% from health insurance has never been (more…)

Democracy Matters

Democracy Matters – Your Vote Matters

Your Vote Counts!Our country was founded on the principles of a Representative Democracy where the citizens eligible to vote would get together from time to time to elect the Representatives who would then go to a certain place to form a congress and conduct the business of the government for the people. The framers wrote into our Constitution certain provisions designed to protect certain rights reserved to the people and certain rights reserved to the states ALL of which was designed to restrict and limit the ruling power, authority and ability of the Federal Government. This was and remains a grand idea which was designed to prevent an authoritarian type of government which was the primary type of government existing during the time that our government was formed in the late 1700’s. This type of government was called DEMOCRACY and relied on an INFORMED ELECTORATE to vote for their INDIVIDUAL VESTED INTERESTS thereby providing the final balance between the people and the rulers.

The Democratic system ONLY works well when (more…)

Inequality for All

Inequality for All author, robert reichPCDCC’s March 30, 2016 public showing of Robert Reich’s movie, “Inequality For All”, was attended by a standing room only audience. The movie provided facts, figures, and graphical representations of how political changes have resulted in a reduction of the economic well being of the average American despite the fact that the U.S. economy has continued to grow.

The disparity between the relative wealth of the top 1% and the other 99% of America’s population has reached levels not seen since the economic crash of 1929. America’s 400 wealthiest individuals hold 50% of our nation’s wealth. Rather than investing their wealth in creating jobs and increasing wages for the American worker, CEOS, business leaders, and shareholders use corporate loopholes and investments that lower their tax responsibility, maximize profits for stakeholders and create more wealth for themselves. Simply put, the rich get richer!

This situation was brought about by tax cuts for the wealthy during the Reagan years and legislation that benefited the rich in succeeding years. These changes have resulted in stagnating wages for workers and lost revenues to the government. Lost revenues have resulted in a reduction of public funding to provide services, build our infrastructure, and support our educational systems. In addition, inflation continues to rise and Americans do not have the buying power that they had in the 70”s and 80’s. As a consequence, the average American carries a greater financial burden.

No matter which political party a person supports, all American workers and small business owners are affected. The problem must be corrected. We can make changes that benefit the 99%. Educating ourselves on the facts is an essential step in the right direction. I highly recommend viewing this movie if you haven’t already seen it. It is well worth watching!

Faith Strailey
PCDCC Chair