By Michael Bailey

I feel the majority of Americans are sitting somewhere caught between a Democratic Party, which got lost in far-left visions, and a Republican Party that seems hell-bent on creating a dictatorship and burning down 230 years of American existence.

The Democratic Party needs to avoid tit-for-tat when next in power and bring America back to the level of government that was the envy of the world.

Social Security reform

Social Security is a cornerstone of our nation’s safety net, providing essential support to millions of Americans. Either we fund it, or it goes away.

• Remove income cap for SSA taxes, which are born primarily by the middle class. If you make $50k or $5B you should pay the same tax percentage for SSA. By removing the income cap and having the rich pay the same percentage as the poor and middle class, social security will be funded for the future.

Campaign finance rules

The integrity of our democratic process relies on fair and transparent campaign finance rules. Every citizen should have an equal voice in the political arena, free from the disproportionate influence of wealthy donors and special interests. It was clear in this last election that billionaires bought access with their funding.

A campaign finance reform agenda needs to include:

• Public financing of elections: Implementing a system of public financing to reduce the reliance on private donations and level the playing field for all candidates.

• Work with major networks and streaming services for Town Halls and Debates or simply time slots for each party to convey their message.

• Empowering bi-partisan regulatory agencies to enforce campaign finance laws rigorously and penalize violations effectively.

Immigration reform

We cannot have the open gate nor the locked gate approach; this needs to be an American solution of a resource that fuels our future.

A immigration reform plan should include:

• Pathways to citizenship: Creating clear and attainable pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers and those contributing to our communities and economy.

• Security and enforcement: Implementing smart and effective border security measures that protect our nation.

• Workforce integration: Streamlining visa processes for skilled workers and essential laborers, ensuring that our economy remains competitive and vibrant.

Small business support

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, driving innovation, job creation, and community development. We need to be committed to providing robust support to small businesses, ensuring that they have the resources and opportunities to thrive.

Actions to best to support small business:

• Access to capital: Expanding access to affordable capital through grants, low-interest loans, and investment programs targeted at startups and small enterprises.

• Tax relief: Implementing tax policies that favor small businesses, including tax credits for job creation, investment, and research and development.

Ethics

Currently, the US Federal government flaunts open corruption with companies and stock valuations being manipulated by the ruling administration (not through policy but by direct actions) and these corrupt acts are being overlooked by the ruling party. We need bipartisan guardrails with teeth:

• A common sense framework for ethical behavior including gifts, blind trusts for investments and/or recusing members from any branch from influencing outcomes that effect their own wealth.

• All people moving from public office, immediately lose their security clearances.

Balanced approach

Both parties are built on spending more than we bring in. Cutting costs is needed, and we need to continue by raising taxes on those who have thrived off of the middle class. They need to step up and pay their way now.

• Increasing tax rate for individuals making more that $400,000 and removing loopholes that currently allow too many corporations to not pay their own way.

• Restoring corporate tax rates to 50% of the difference from pre-Trump rates.

• Do not allow any federal headcount or budget increases without 150% of increased income. (i.e. If you are going to spend $1B, you need to prove where we are bringing in $1.5 B)

• Forever go away from the idea that ‘trickle down’ will pay for itself. It never has done anything except enrich the billionaires and drive deficits.

Michael Bailey is a fourth generation Coloradan who retired in 2024 after a career in technology. He is a Longmont resident.