Over the past 25 years, small businesses have been responsible for an impressive 66% of employment growth in America. This statistic underscores the crucial role that small enterprises play in driving economic progress and sustaining the workforce. And studying the details of different Presidential candidates policies and plans, Kamala Harris in my opinion has put forth the most comprehensive long-view plan that reduces government regulations on small businesses, responsibility manages U.S. debt challenges, empowers and unifies America creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs to access capital. The proposed "Opportunity Economy" under Harris localizes economic growth within communities. The Harris / Walz economy will grow the middle class and under-served communities ability to flourish with dignity and true freedom, and it propels sustainable small business activity, while improving quality of life overall for each citizen.
Current U.S. market data shows August 24, 2024 (time of writing article):
Overall Inflation 3%
Low Unemployment 4.5%
GDP 3% Q2 2024
FED in the process of lowering interest rates
Strong investments in infrastructure
Strong investments in clean energy innovation
Strong investments in semiconductor chip manufacturing
Strong investments in creating high quality affordable education
Strong investments in security and military to keep America safe
Stock market appears healthy with nice gains
Strong investments in healthcare and aerospace
Real estate home price up 54% since 2019
Watch Video Latest Details of U.S. Economy ... August 29, 2024
This "Opportunity Economy" initiative is particularly impactful for under-served communities across the nation. By providing these communities with the foundational support they need to grow businesses, the Harris administration aims to not only stimulate local economies but also reduce crime rates through localized employment opportunities. Small businesses in these areas can serve as a lifeline, offering stable jobs and fostering a sense of community that can lead to safer, more prosperous neighborhoods. Local mentoring programs also will add significant educational and mental health support within our communities. Its a smart affordable path to sustainable prosperity.
Kamala Harris Track Record in Supporting Small Business
A record 10.5 million new small business applications were filed during her first two years (2021 - 2023) in office as Vice President. Kamala Harris has a long-standing commitment to supporting small businesses, especially those in underrepresented communities. Her efforts have consistently focused on creating an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive by ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and capital. This commitment has been a cornerstone of her political career, and it’s a focus she continues to champion as President. For a comprehensive look at her track record in small business advocacy, click here.
Building Middle Class Opportunities Through Small Business Growth
One of the cornerstones of President Harris’s economic strategy is building middle class opportunities through the growth of small businesses. By empowering individuals to start their own businesses and access affordable education, the Harris / Walz administration aims to bridge the gap between ambition and opportunity. This approach not only helps individuals achieve financial independence but also strengthens the middle class, which is vital for a robust and stable economy.
Watch Video Harris Discusses Small Business And Middle Class Opportunities
Analysis U.S. Income Distribution 1975 - 2018
In America income wealth redistribution from 1975 to 2018, the difference between the aggregate taxable income for those below the 90th percentile and the equitable growth counterfactual totals $47 trillion. Bottomline, the detailed RAND study finds essentially a transfer of $47 trillion in U.S. wealth to the top 1% of population from 1975 to 2018. RAND further explored trends in inequality by applying this metric within and across business cycles from 1975 to 2018 and also by demographic group. But an unbalanced economy in a country with a population as large as America is not sustainable long-term. And we're already seeing the cracks forming as a result.
The RAND study's detailed economic analysis and income calculations are very disturbing in my opinion. This inequitable U.S. income model of top 1% getting nearly all the income growth is not sustainable to build a healthy economy and prosperous society. Further, it degrades an opportunity economy and innovation making America less competitive and Democracy less secure long-term. Harris / Walz will build an "Opportunity Economy" that empowers individuals at all levels to access capital, create small business innovation, corrects the lopsided income growth disparities and connects people with affordable education programs.
Watch Video Analysis of RAND Study Income Distribution 1975 - 2018
Rebuilding America's Broken Criminal Justice System
President Kamala Harris is not only focused on economic growth but also on systemic reform, particularly in the criminal justice system. Currently, about 55% of incarcerated individuals in the United States are there for crimes that could be considered violent, while 45% are locked up for non-violent offenses that do not pose a significant risk to society.
The system’s inefficiencies and failures are stark with 67% of individuals re-offending within three years of release, unable to assimilate productively into society, and often end up trapped in a cycle of incarceration.
Meanwhile, several private companies like CoreCiv and The GEO Group are making billions of dollars on a broken U.S. criminal justice system that fails our the communities and wastes tax payer money upwards of $80 billion per year or more.
A significant issue is the lack of education and vocational training programs within the prison system. Approximately 40% of incarcerated individuals lack a high school diploma or equivalent, a stark contrast to the 14% in general population. The absence of quality education programs makes it exceedingly difficult for individuals to find decent employment upon release, perpetuating the cycle of recidivism.
Moreover, the mental health crisis within the criminal justice system is alarming. An estimated 63% of people in jail and 58% in prison have a substance use disorder, while 44% of those in jail and 37% of those in prison suffer from mental illness. In many respects the police are locking up and big companies are making money essentially off of mentally ill people that need medical treatment not dangerous jail conditions that often make matters much worse. The statistics highlight the urgent need for improved mental health and addiction treatment services, both within the criminal justice system and in the broader community, to address the root causes of these issues and reduce recidivism.
The impact of incarceration extends beyond the individuals themselves, affecting families, kids and communities. It's estimated that at least 10.6 million people are admitted to local jails each year in the United States. Approximately 52% of people in jail in the United States have children under the age of 18. This translates to roughly 3.2 million children with a parent in jail at any given time.
The absence of fathers in households, particularly in Black communities where the rate is as high as 65%, leads to a host of social problems, including drug addiction, poverty, and criminal behavior among children. As President Harris would bring decades of experience in the criminal justice system, and she knows its short falls, having deep awareness of the challenges and is committed to implementing reforms that will make our communities safer and improve the lives of children across America.
For an in-depth look at her plans to reform the criminal justice system, watch this video here.
Penn Wharton Study: Economic Plan Comparison / Trump vs. Harris
According to Penn Wharton Model economic analysis just released, it finds Donald Trump plan would add $5.8 trillion to national debt crisis ... versus Kamala Harris $1.2t over next ten years.
In particular, an area of businness concern Kamala Harris confirms she will seek a reasonable 28% corporate tax rate, a bipartisan compromise that sets the stage for refreshing solutions by working together with GOP Republican leaders like Mike Johnson and others.
Its clear now that Kamala Harris has a more fiscally responsible economic plan that helps working class American families, builds on innovation, and protects future generations from run-away U.S. debt burdens. Read Full Penn Wharton Economic Analysis Here
Based on the detailed study by Wharton, I like the idea of less debt and protecting future generations from adding anymore debt burdens. Read Axios Analysis Here
Harris would help lower-income Americans through more generous tax credits, such as the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. But higher income taxpayers could see a bigger bite taken out of their paychecks, according to this new analysis from the Penn Wharton Budget Model.
Donald Trump's campaign may want to mute Donald Trump on the debate stage, but they can't mute our strong economy and Trump's disastrous agenda will explode the deficit, increase costs on the middle class by nearly $4,000 a year, and send our economy hurtling into a recession by mid-next year projects Kent Smetters, faculty director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, a group within the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School that analyzes the budgetary impact of government policies. Review More Thoughts on Tax Plans ...
Fixing the Border Challenge and Immigration System in America
One of the primary challenges that continuous plagued the immigration system in America is the lack of Judges to process the increasing claims of asylum seekers and legal backlog.
While Donald Trump has blocked the bipartisan effort to pass the solution to immigration and illegal border crossings. Kamala Harris has already put forth a Bipartisan Border and Immigration Bill which she has pledged to sign into law if elected as President. Note the details of her bipartisan bill below.
The Harris / Walz bipartisan immigration and border bill would add more than 1,500 new Customs and Border Protection personnel.
Asylum Officers and Asylum Reform: Similarly, Asylum Officer staffing has remained stagnant over the last four years and there is an insufficient number of asylum officers to do initial screenings. As a result, each asylum case generally takes 5 to 7 years to be heard and adjudicated. Today, there are approximately 1,000 Asylum Officers; the bipartisan Senate bill would add an additional 4,300 Asylum Officers and it would make the asylum process faster and fairer.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): ICE detention facilities are currently over capacity. Today, ICE has approximately 40,000 detention beds. The bipartisan Senate agreement would increase detention beds to a total of 50,000. Moreover, without immediate action from Congress DHS will need to move funding to ICE from other critical missions or reduce ICE’s enforcement operations to manage a shortfall of several hundred million dollars.
Immigration Judges: Currently there is a backlog of over 2 million cases for immigration judges. Each asylum case generally takes 5 to 7 years to complete. Without more judges, these timelines and backlogs will continue to grow. Today there is funding for 734 immigration judges, the bipartisan Senate bill would provide funding for an additional 100 immigration judges and their associated staff.
Combatting Drug Trafficking: We continue our fight against the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. The bipartisan agreement would fund the installation of 100 cutting-edge inspection machines to help detect fentanyl at our Southwest Border ports of entry. It would also give the President the authority to impose sanctions on foreign nationals knowingly involved in significant trafficking of fentanyl by a transnational criminal organization.
The bill also includes $1.4 billion for cities and states who are providing critical services to newcomers, and would expedite work permits for people who are in the country and qualify.
In order to truly tackle this problem and support the more than four thousand border and immigration officials who work in the Rio Grande Valley – which includes Brownsville – with the additional personnel and resources they need to secure our border, Congress must act.
Building 3 Million New Homes: Plan to Make Housing Affordable
On August 16, 2024; Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled her presidential campaign’s initiative to alleviate the financial burdens on American families, focusing particularly on reducing housing costs. The centerpiece of her plan, titled “Build the American Dream: Lowering the Costs of Renting and Owning a Home,” aims to address the nation’s housing shortage by constructing 3 million new housing units over the next four years. This ambitious proposal also includes measures to create a more equitable rental market and offers $25,000 in downpayment support for first-time homebuyers, helping them achieve homeownership.
Specifically, Kamala Harris addresses the “urgent and comprehensive four-year plan” will call for constructing 3 million new housing units, a tax incentive for homebuilders to construct “starter homes” to sell to first-time homebuyers and a $40 billion innovation fund for local governments to build housing.
The plan would also include $25,000 in down payment support for first-time homeowners. Home renters who paid their rent on time for two years and are buying their first home would be eligible for the down payment assistance.
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and introducing a tax incentive for homebuilders who focus on creating starter homes for first-time buyers. The campaign also proposes a $40 billion fund to support innovative housing supply solutions, building upon the Biden-Harris administration’s existing initiatives. By streamlining permitting processes and making federal lands available for affordable housing, the plan seeks to reduce housing costs and make homeownership more attainable for all Americans. The agenda is part of a broader economic strategy that also includes lowering grocery costs, prescription drug prices, and taxes for workers and families with children, aiming to improve overall financial security for low-income families.
Watch Video Interview Kamala Harris Day One as President ...
How Important Is Clean Energy?
Today, clean energy jobs make up nearly 50% of all energy industry job. As Vice President, Kamala Harris worked closely on implementing record investments in climate, clean energy such as hydrogen, wind, solar, geothermal, and manufacturing, clean energy employment increased by 142,000 jobs in 2023, now accounting for more than half of new energy sector jobs and growing at a rate more than twice as large as that for the rest of the energy sector and the U.S. economy overall (U.S. Dept of Energy).
Individual Freedom to Choose Healthcare, Religion, LGBT and Education
America was built on the promise and right to FREEDOM of choice for each individual, therefore efforts by Donald Trump to restrict a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions, ban books in schools, dismantle NATO the premiere force for Democracy in the world are unacceptable. Kamala Harris / Tim Walz welcome an individual's right to choose. They place no test or restrictions on the individual's choice, whether it be healthcare, religion, LGBT, or education.
Moreover, expert analysis from Penn Wharton, RAND and many others confirm the fine details of Harris / Walz plan as the most responsible long-term path that broadens the wealth base and truly unifies and enhances competitive innovation particularly drives small businesses in America. Her plan is more fiscally responsible with less debt over the next ten years according to the experts.
While Donald Trump's plan is to strict individual freedom to choose, including required loyalty tests for government employees in his Project 2025 plan like Hitlers Browns shirts, eliminate a woman's individual healthcare and religious freedoms. And Trump wants to give the police "Absolute Immunity", a very scary prospect. He wants to severely reduce Civil Rights for many including immigrants. Further, JD Vance is intimately connected to the frightening Project 2025. In fact, Vance wrote the foreword in the project founder's book, a violent call to take up arms "circle the wagons, load the muskets" which calls a frightening mess and more divisive chaos. Read Project 2025
Its also ironic Trump was shot at in Pennsylvania by a registered Republican using an assault rifle weapon that most Americans want to ban and now he speaks from behind a glass bullet proof box, yet he does not support gun control. Its clear political pandering, a moronic irony without conviction.
Donald Trump's desire to keep his tax plan, despite a large U.S. debt is very irresponsible, not smart instead explodes the deficit. Trump wants to put tariffs on imported items which will increase inflation with American consumers paying much higher prices goods He wants to round-up millions of Latino migrants in our communities to deport and push oil he says "drill drill drill" reduce regulations allowing big Corporations to do whatever the hell they want regardless of the serious environmental pollution damages which by the way increases our U.S. healthcare costs over $250B per year due to dirty air and dirty water, just one example of the economic costs of fossil fuels pollution.
Trump's ideas are short-sighted, very outdated, and amount to a selfish grab for money. The Trump plan is not a detailed long-view. His plan is not sustainable in our fast-changing world, and its not responsible policy. Donald Trump puts future generations at greater risk even calling climate change that's occurring "a hoax" and that he knows more than thousands of scientists worldwide.
After detailed examination and based on experts' analysis findings such as RAND income distribution analysis 1975 - 2018, Penn Wharton economic analysis and others, I like the long-view Harris / Walz plan steady growth, responsible financial management that addresses U.S. debt. and better unifies America. The Harris/ Walz plan empowers all citizens with dignity and a better overall quality of life for each individual, invests in our infrastructure, respects individual Rights, and protects freedom of choice for every American.
How Close Are We to Climate Change Disaster?
Pollution reduction should include eliminating the use of oil and plastics, its clearly the key to a healthier planet. Note the interesting research by leading German scientist, Johan Rockström TedTalks on The Precise Tipping Points of Catastrophic Climate Change Expected in 2030.
Watch Video The Tipping Points of Climate Change with PhD, Johan Rockström ...
Bottom line, we have a very limited windows, perhaps just 5 years or so to move quickly now ushering in clean energy solutions including reducing plastics used in packaging and bottled water for example. The crisis of reducing pollution on Earth is fast approaching a point of no return; wherein catastrophic flooding, hurricanes, drought and tornadoes wreak-havoc displacing hundreds of millions of people worldwide. And these are often people in poverty with little means.
Another 4-years of Donald Trump "drill, drill, drill" etc. will be a total climate disaster for hundreds of million of people worldwide. Trump has an outdated, short-view, a selfish money grab view that's not smart, and adds $6 trillion or more to U.S. debt burdens. So even fiscally on the economy he's a disaster as well, according to the experts like Penn Wharton Model, RAND and many others. I vote for being an honest Christian, good steward with compassion among people on Earth.
A Vision for a Unified and Prosperous America
Kamala Harris brings to the presidency a deep understanding of the many important issues and challenges facing America today. Her experience and honest commitment to addressing these challenges is evident in her plans to support small businesses, reform the criminal justice system, implement affordable housing, low food and healthcare costs, pursue pollution reduction through clean energy innovations and improve access to education countless Americans. By focusing on these critical areas, President Harris aims to unify and strengthen communities across the nation, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for all. Note Harris / Walz Small Business Plan ...
In my opinion studying looking over all the materials and based on expert analysis, Kamala Harris is hands-on listens to the people, and she clearly understands the details. Harris holds the real-world experience and maintains a detailed grasp on the critical issues that will unify and truly improve communities throughout America. Donald Trump on the other hand does not listen to others, and appears to have nothing, ZERO in common with working class Americans. His selfish very poor judgement has been demonstrated over decades. It's become naggingly obvious he is not capable of honest change and learning from his mistakes. Trump sounds like a broken record every time he takes the speaker's podium.
In closing, I believe the smartest vote is Kamala Harris / Tim Walz, their plan is forward looking and builds a more solid foundation for future generations. And perhaps, even more important Harris / Walz leadership brings a breath of fresh air with a more joyful, positive thinking approach that will reignite our communities and citizens pride in our great country, America.
About Author
James E Dean - Director, Art Book Video Shop ... James loves to read, learn about old collectibles and study new ideas that may produce optimal results. Mr. Dean brings over 35 years of experience across a wide range of industries worldwide. He is considered by many to be a leading expert in the energy sector, retail eCommerce, brand marketing and AI technology. J Dean is also a frequent Blogger, and graduate of Boston University. He enjoys collecting antiques, history, travel and fitness. Inquiry: Email Message
In the late 1980s, Mr. Dean worked at Fidelity Investments and American Finance Group, as Marketing Manager in Boston, Massachusetts. From there, James E Dean joined IMAGRAPH, a company that pioneered digital compression technology for medical CT-Scan and MRI applications, U.S. defense satellite imaging and broadcast digital video production markets. The company later went public (NASDAQ: LUMI). Subsequently, Mr. Dean became involved 1990s as a co-founder at Artel Software / BorisFX in Boston, Massachusetts; where he helped pioneer broadcast digital effects, video editing systems, advanced algorithms for software and hardware video production systems. The company later partnered with AVID Technology to go public (NASDAQ: AVID). Working in this role for many years, Mr. Dean lead the development team that partnered with AVID Technology, SONY, Microsoft, Apple, Panasonic, D-Vision Systems, IBM and MATROX to develop the digital video production industry which has enabled consumers i.e. ordinary people to create broadcast quality information, stories and share knowledge on networks worldwide. Often, J Dean was a frequent tech evangelist at the National Broadcast Convention (NAB) and Consumer Electronics Show (COMDEX) in Las Vegas. In the mid 2000s, James E Dean went on to launch several digital media and AI technology companies with a focus on business development, startup capital funding VC, eCommerce programming and creative multimedia services delivering broadcast quality text, image and rich video content, a role he enjoys today as the Director. Learn More About Us
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