The term “Progressive” gets thrown around a lot these days. So who are the real “Progressives”  ready to challenge the establishment and make America work for the 99%?  I’ve taken The Progressive Economic Pledge, by The Young Turks, because these are the five big items I’ll fight for every. damn. day

1. Ending Corruption. The reform of all reforms. We’re going to kick lobbyists and big money out of politics. We can have nice things, but we really need to end the dominance of big money and the oligarchy. So, we take NO corporate cash, because we walk the walk. No person can serve two masters. It’s either the money, or the People. We choose the People. 

2. Medicare for All. We need a system that will prioritize healing people, investing in research and development, and that will save lives. We will be efficient and provide a just and fair transition for all people who work in the health care industry, with a federal jobs guarantee and job training. I’ve met many people who are struggling to get by - one couple pays $4,000 a month in long term care. They’re struggling to make ends meet. We need to slash our medical expenses by ½ with Medicare for All.

3. Opportunity for All with free public college and cancelling student loan debt. This is an earned benefit - it takes years of sacrifice to earn a college degree, late nights of studying and going to classes. That sacrifice is how it’s paid for. We need to be competitive in the world, by having the best educated work force. This will also incentivize people to go into STEM areas, the education of the future. So we will make college free and cancel student loan debt. That’s right. Cancelling. It. All.

4. A Living Wage for All, indexed to the consumer price index. $20 an hour, because one job should be enough. In New Jersey, the minimum wage of $15 an hour slated for 2024, won’t even afford a two bedroom apartment. If we want to end poverty, we have to give a raise for the minimum wage workers (and all people). Like those that work for walmart, the nation’s largest employer, and amazon, the company of the richest man on the planet. 

Where can you find a list of the great Progressives this country has to offer? 

Check out this amazing list of Candidates, elected officials, journalists and activists, who have taken the pledge. I’m proud to be on this list of dedicated progressives, committed to returning to a government of, by, and for, the People. 

The full list is here and the screenshot is below: