Term limits isn't a progressive policy position.
Going through his list working up -
Keep Government Out of Our Private Lives
--> Reasonable gun control laws and in favor of a return to a pre-Dobbs status quo on abortion, more or less. (He's signaled support for codifying Roe federally in other interviews). Reducing unwanted pregnancies. (So good sex ed and so on.)
That's all mainstream Democrat.
Reform Railroad Safety
- > Increased regulation and federal enforcement.
That's all mainstream Democrat.
Protect Middle-Class Jobs and Wages
- > PRO act
- > Better bereavement and sick leave
- > $12 hour minimum wage
That's all mainstream Democrat, although obviously many Democrats want a higher Federal minimum wage.
Lower Taxes on Overtime Wages
-> Overtime wages should not bump a taxpayer into a higher bracket. Additionally, for the purposes of calculating eligibility for any income-related benefits, overtime wages should not be included.
Not sure how the first part is to be accomplished, and that obviously isn't a progressive policy.
The second part is more promising and there is definitely something interesting to look at there.
End Wasteful Government Handouts to the Pharmaceutical Industry
-> Doesn't really say what he means by this. It's just "Pharma getting lots of money in the pandemic was bad".
Would need real meat on the bones to assess it.
Legalize Cannabis
-> Remove from Schedule 1 (a bit unclear on whether legalized or decriminalized).
Pretty common Democratic position, although not the obvious majority of the party yet.
A Secure Border for a Secure Country
-> Pretty handwavy, but "do something better" language.
Basically everyone in Congress right now, no details although he has made noise he would have supported the bipartisan law the GOP killed earlier this year.
A Level Playing Field for Family Farms and Ranches
--> Nebraska-specific, but includes anti-monopoly moves and right to repair.
Anti-trust aspects. I don't know enough about the crop insurance to know how easy "fix it" is, but fights over the subsidies are pretty common.
The Right to Repair is niche, but growing (and bi-partisan). Supporting local meat packing against the big 4 was part of the Inflation Reduction Act.
So again, pretty in line with lots of Democrats but not something I would say is necessarily default position for the whole party yet.
No More Soldiers On Food Stamps: Raise Serviceman Pay
- > Increase base pay.
Has bipartisan support, with clashes over exactly how much (as you would expect).
So mainstream
everybody as far as I can tell.
Support Our Veterans
-> More VA funding to deal with backlog and support for job placement and training for veterans.
The funding is mainstream Democratic policy.
I don't know about specific job placement proposals lately and don't feel like looking it up.
Guarantee a “Right to Repair” – For Farm Equipment, Cars, and Electronics
-> A bunch of good stuff.
Definitely not mainstream yet, but growing.
That he's firmly for this is one of the most promising things I see here in terms of moving in a good direction.
End Profiteering Off Senior Healthcare
- Block private equity firms from taking over healthcare firms providing covered services when such a takeover would put those being served at risk.
- Increase funding for enforcement.
Both things I support.
Not something that gets nearly enough attention and the second is a fairly mainstream Democratic position. (The "block private equity when it is bad" is vague enough that it is hard to know exactly what is meant there.)
Cut Taxes for Small Business and the Middle Class
- >
cut middle-class and small business tax rates, - by cutting wasteful spending and closing loopholes used by multi-nationals to avoid paying taxes.
Mainstream Democratic position.
So....
Yeah.
He's a middle-of-the-road Democrat with a few Nebraska specific quirks and a strong position on right to repair that I support.
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