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How We Move Forward

As millions of Americans tune into this week's Democratic National Convention and next week's Republican National Convention, they all await the answer to the same question: How do we move forward?

Since 2003, the Center for American Progress has been at the forefront of progressive policy, crafting actionable roadmaps for how America can move forward—and today is no different. The country needs big ideas and inclusive policies to guide our next steps, from combating health and climate crises to ensuring equitable access to the promise of our nation.

Join us in our mission to imagine, design, and bring to life a better future. Here is a collection of resources from CAP on how we move forward.

COVID-19 and America's Health: How Do We Heal?

The pandemic has disrupted the U.S. health care and education systems, especially for communities of color. As we get closer to developing a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, we need to make sure that all Americans are able to get vaccinated for free.

Since the turn of the 20th century, the federal government has repeatedly financed the bulk purchase of vaccines and made them available for free—tell Congress to ensure that everyone in the United States can get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Then, learn about other ways we can effectively manufacture, finance, and distribute a COVID-19 vaccine.

See more from CAP: Medicare Extra for All • A Strategy for Subsidized Child Care

COVID-19 and the Economy: Recession, Repairing, and Rebuilding

COVID-19 has deeply affected our economy, from child care to small businesses to unemployment. Rather than rushing states to open prematurely, the government should take steps to fight the virus more effectively and shorten the recovery time so the country can safely reopen sooner.

While we work to shorten the life of this pandemic, actions can be taken to reimagine, revive, and rebuild the economy in a more equitable way to ensure that no one is left behind.

From strengthening unemployment insurance, to improving food security, to supporting small businesses, and more, here is our comprehensive legislative guidance to repair and rebuild the U.S. economy in a way that can make the dream of inclusive prosperity for all Americans a reality.

See more from CAP: A Progressive Infrastructure Plan • Strengthening SNAP Benefits

The Effects of COVID-19 on Our Democracy

Even the act of voting in November will be another serious stress test for the United States' democratic process. With millions of voters turning to vote by mail in order to avoid crowds and long lines, the success of the U.S. Postal Service is of vital importance. Take action to tell Trump: Stop blocking relief funding to USPS.

We must also act to save and improve American democracy beyond the immediate threats facing voters this year. Gerrymandering holds significant power in determining which Americans have the power to choose their own representatives, but our proposal for voter-determined districts could eliminate partisan gerrymandering for good—see how.

See more from CAP: Safe Voting During the Pandemic • What Cities Can do to Promote Safe Voting

Making 2021 the Start of a Better Way Forward

The events of 2020 have further underscored long-standing structural and systemic inequities. Here are bold ideas that can deliver a future where we not only meet these great challenges head on but rebuild in a way that will leave no American behind.

Address Systematic Inequality
The racial wealth gap creates a vicious cycle of economic struggle—the lack of sufficient wealth for Black people in particular means less economic mobility and ability to grow wealth over time. Only a wide slate of policy improvements can affect meaningful change, including expanding homeownership opportunities, improving access to retirement savings, to modernizing labor practices, and raising the minimum wage.

Strive Toward A 100 Percent Clean Future
Humanity has only three decades to completely reinvent the global economy in order to eliminate net greenhouse gas pollution and hold global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. The vision for a 100 percent clean future is centered on pollution-free energy, widespread prosperity, and stable global temperatures. By 2050, millions of American workers will be in high-quality jobs driving the clean energy economy.

See also: Investing in Resilience To Combat Extreme Weather

Reinvest in Communities
Shrinking the footprint of policing is a promising first step toward fully reinvesting in community safety, but cities must also reshape their government infrastructure to foster meaningful partnerships with residents, make long-term investments in their priorities, and sustain their visions well into the future.

See also: CleanSlateInitiative.org

We will continue to diligently research and promote bold future-facing progressive policies so that 2021 can be a year that will move our country forward.

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