Chuck Schumer, pictured above, has led the Senate Democratic Caucus since 2017. He served as Senate majority leader from 2021 to 2025. According to William McGurn, one of the columnists who regularly appears on the Opinion page of The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Schumer has a problem, since Schumer is, purportedly, "lacking a postelection Democratic agenda."
Absent any idea about a "positive" program for the Democrats, says McGurn, Schumer has decided that the Democrats' best hope is simply to oppose Elon Musk. Here's how McGurn puts it:
Mr. Musk is having a blast. On his social media site X, he regularly trolls critics. Earlier this month, for example, he asked a simple question: “Would you like @DOGE to audit the IRS?” Chuck Schumer is not amused. Lacking a postelection Democratic agenda, the Senate minority leader sees opposition to Mr. Musk as the best hope for unifying his party (emphasis added).
Given that Musk is, apparently, trying to "dismantle the federal government," as USA Today describes Musk's efforts, this doesn't seem like such a bad position to take. However, it is true that fighting against Elon Musk (and Donald Trump) is inherently "negative." Opposing efforts to "dismantle" our government is not a "positive" program of its own.
So, here's a solution for Schumer, a "positive" program to bring to the people of the United States, to help make America great again. Suppose the Democratic Party campaigned on the following program:
- RAISE taxes on persons whose personal wealth exceeds $100,000,000.
- Set tax rates to balance the federal budget.
- Include in the federal budget money to provide "free" health care for all.
- Include in the federal budget money to provide free college education.
- Include new home construction with resale restrictions.
- Include job opportunities for all (like in the WPA).
- Include other similar and "positive" programs.
This would be a contemporary version of the "New Deal," and would be explicitly based on the idea that the wealthiest country in the history of the world can, and should, be sure that those with the wherewithal to contribute, will do so. Elon Musk, as the wealthiest person in the world, would definitely be included in those from whom much would be asked. Note: Musk is, quite obviously, someone to whom much as been given.
If we are "in this together," and we are, it is important that we ask those who can help make America great again to step up and assist.
Is this proposed program some kind of political gimmick? Not the way I see it!
So simple. The only thing standing in the way is the greed of the wealth hoarders.
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