(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Lower Costs Explained for Low Info Voters [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-06-04 Pundits say that some younger voters are considering voting for the convicted felon, because they believe that he will do more to lower costs. But the pundits never explain why these voters are wrong, so I will. Americans spend most of their money on housing, insurance/health care, transportation and food. There are two ways of trying to lower these costs: responsibly and irresponsibly. Only one way actually works. The felon says he will drill more, lower taxes, cut regulations and impose tariffs on China. To the average low information voter, these sound like logical ways to lower their costs. Let’s debunk each one. Drill More In Bakersfield California, the high school football team are the Drillers. The oil & gas industry is a source of local pride, a big employer and considered synonymous with money. The more we drill, the more money we have and the lower gas prices go, except that’s not what’s happened. The problem is that fossil fuels are limited, and the more oil & gas we burn, the more carbon pollution, wildfires, heat waves, floods, storms and droughts we get. So more drilling will raise everyone’s costs, especially food and insurance costs. Solar & wind energy are cool technologies, also employ many, and cut energy costs. Every time a solar plant comes online, everyone’s energy costs drop, including gas prices. They also reduce carbon pollution, which lowers many different costs. The oil & gas industry spends huge amounts on public communications and politics, and much of that is dishonest and self-serving. Democrats need to spend time and money to explain that green energy lowers gas prices and helps stop the climate crisis. Lower Taxes The felon’s tax cuts mostly helped the rich. Some low information voters believe that there is no downside to the rich getting richer. Nothing could be further from the truth. Take housing. The richest Americans keep about 1/3 of their wealth in personal real estate, and on average they own about 4 homes. They leave these homes to their children, occasionally rent them out exorbitantly, and often leave them empty for much of the year. They spend thousands of dollars per month maintaining their lawns and on security. They belong to country clubs with large golf courses. One exclusive enclave I know was largely bought out by retired investment managers whose firm benefits from the carried interest tax loophole. This tax-cut exacerbated inequality is a significant driver of increased housing costs, including higher rents, fewer starter homes, less worker housing, longer commutes and higher utilities. Prior to losing his $½ billion NY Real Estate Fraud case, the recently convicted felon owned or operated over a dozen golf courses. There are over 15,000 golf courses in the US. Raising taxes on privately owned golf courses would significantly increase the amount of available real estate in the country and would lower housing costs. Democrats need to explain that raising taxes on the rich can improve life and lower costs for average Americans. Cut Regulations Since long before Reagan, businesses have complained about regulations. It’s bunk. Americans like sports. Sports have rules. Cheaters wish sports didn’t have so many rules. Referees may not be popular, but what would sports be without a rule book? Regulations are often written after a business pollutes, injures people or competes unfairly. So most rules are designed to protect average Americans from businesses taking advantage of them. Clean air & water, worker safety and consumer protections are popular, and Democrats need to speak out constantly in favor of “playing by the rules”. Regulations save people money. Biden’s new rules on insulin pricing save diabetics ~70%. Cutting regulations is what allows folks like Shkreli to raise the price on a lifesaving pill from $13.50 to $750. China Tariffs Sparking a new trade war with China by raising tariffs again, as the felon promised, could cost the US economy 675,000 jobs (per Moody’s) and plunge us into another recession or worse. There is no simpler way to raise costs for average Americans than to increase the costs of trade. The best way to compete in our global economy is to trade as many different goods & services, with as many countries as much as possible. That lowers costs and increases jobs. Tell the Truth The bad news is that many low information voters are misinformed. The good news is that the truth is relatively simple. All three of the issues are clear and understandable, with one correct approach and one wrong one. Despite the well-funded lies, Democrats are right on all of these and Republicans are wrong. I know some issues like abortion rights, guns and immigration reform are hot and will drive turnout, and they should get attention. But we can’t concede the kitchen table issues that determine many swing votes. Especially when we are right on all these issues, ignoring or silently appearing to concede these to our dishonest opponents is a missed opportunity in an unfortunately close election. We don’t need to convince all of these voters, but we do need to reach as many as we can. Please help spread the word and encourage folks to vote for Joe & Kamala. 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