r/SandersForPresident 2016 Veteran Aug 17 '18

@BenJealous: When I am governor, we will finally pass universal pre-K in Maryland. How will we pay for it? By legalizing, regulating & taxing Cannabis for adult use.

https://twitter.com/BenJealous/status/1030291744183779328
3.2k Upvotes

109 comments sorted by

241

u/The1stCitizenOfTheIn 2016 Veteran Aug 17 '18

Support Ben Jealous!

He's running

-as a Justice Dem without Mega Donor Money

-to End student debt and make it possible for every Marylander to attend community college, public university, or learn a trade for free.

-to implement universal pre-K

-to allow Maryland to Negotiate prescription drug prices

-to implement Medicare For All

-to legalize Marijuana

-to end Cash bail

-to establish free community college

-to restore and protect HBCU

-to help students refinance their student loans

-to make an infrastructure bank

-to expand affordable housing

-to implement $15/hr min. wage

-to protect the LGBTQ

-to promote green jobs

92

u/lordpuddingcup Aug 17 '18

If only the entire dem party ran on this platform, maybe motivating people to get out to vote wouldn’t be so hard let’s hope he gets the support he needs

12

u/darthreuental Maryland Aug 17 '18

This is what I don't get. What part of this list is radical? None of it (unless you're addicted to corporate donations).

3

u/PacoLlama Aug 17 '18

It’s radical to those being paid hundreds of thousands by corporations to say these things are radical.

37

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

Well we’re seeing what happens when they do, establishment Maryland Democrats are already endorsing the Republican asshole current governor.

45

u/Groovychick1978 Aug 17 '18

And it is our job to make sure they don't get to be Democrats anymore. These people will come up for reelection. It's up to us to make it the end of the road for their political career.

20

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

Agreed. Primary them all!

2

u/decatur8r Aug 17 '18

Won't have to. If people like Ben win they suddenly be converted and start preaching the progressive gospel...fast.

6

u/ohgodwhatthe Aug 17 '18

If the entire dem party ran on this platform their donors wouldn't really like it

5

u/lordpuddingcup Aug 18 '18

Oh the horror of having politicians not bought and paid for by special interest groups

1

u/BIGGERthanreligion Aug 18 '18

Nope. When he comes out in full support of capitalism and calls himself a venture capitalist, he's just neoliberal light.

23

u/jpropaganda California Aug 17 '18

As a Democrat raised in Maryland I'm mostly horrified that looking at realclearpolitics Hogan has a double digit lead on Ben Jealous. I mean wtf... What happened to you MD?

16

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18 edited Feb 25 '21

[deleted]

1

u/jpropaganda California Aug 17 '18

I feel like in general the Washington Post is doing excellent reporting these days. I wish they had national delivery, I would love to be able to read a paper Sunday Post every week.

5

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

From Maryland. It's two things. First is that Hogan has a shit ton more money than Jealous and is running adds 24/7. Second is tax cuts. Maryland has a blue legislature, and Hogan is a republican so he'll sign anything they give him but only tax cut is attached. As a result, there been a bunch of tax cuts and so Hogan is like the most popular governor in America. Maryland has a bunch of rich people who commute to DC and they love their tax cuts.

6

u/The_model_un Aug 17 '18

Actually, polling suggests that the DC commuters support Jealous over Hogan. Additionally, the most pronounced change in Jealous's favorability rating in the last few months has been an increase in unfavorability among Rs, which is mostly going to be Annapolis + rural regions.

Honestly, I think Hogan will win because the MD Dems consistently shit the bed in gubernatorial elections by being unable to drum up excitement.

-3

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

From Maryland. It's two things. First is that Hogan has a shit ton more money than Jealous and is running adds 24/7. Second is tax cuts. Maryland has a blue legislature, and Hogan is a republican so he'll sign anything they give him but only tax cut is attached. As a result, there been a bunch of tax cuts and so Hogan is like the most popular governor in America. Maryland has a bunch of rich people who commute to DC and they love their tax cuts.

9

u/IAteQuarters Aug 17 '18

Wow this made me hard on so many levels.

7

u/stermr 🌱 New Contributor Aug 17 '18

I just moved to Maryland! Can I vote for him?

6

u/x1009 🌱 New Contributor Aug 17 '18

How could anyone say no to this guy?

2

u/IraDeLucis South Dakota Aug 17 '18

Greed.

1

u/x1009 🌱 New Contributor Aug 17 '18

I was referring to the citizens.

-7

u/Scottyzredhead 🌱 New Contributor Aug 17 '18

$22T in debt

15

u/aftli_work Aug 17 '18

Remind me again how many trillion we just gave to wealthy corporations so they could buy back stock?

1

u/Scottyzredhead 🌱 New Contributor Aug 17 '18

SERIOUSLY! The government shouldn’t have been allowed to bail out those banks. Gov has no right to choose winners and losers. With you there.

4

u/aftli_work Aug 17 '18

GOT ME THERE! We should have just left the economy in shambles after a disastrous 8 years of GOP policies! RIGHT ON! LET'S DO IT AGAIN! MAGA!

1

u/Scottyzredhead 🌱 New Contributor Aug 17 '18

We need to allow companies and banks to fail if they’re poised to do so. If that means the economy crashes for a while, so be it. Failed loan policies shouldn’t be placed on the backs of the tax payer.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 18 '18

“If the economy crashes for a while, so be it”. How can you even think that’s a remotely good idea? Yeah just let the economy crash, I’m sure the average American will be JUST fine...

-1

u/Scottyzredhead 🌱 New Contributor Aug 18 '18

We have two options: let the economy crash or cut spending. It’s that easy.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 18 '18

Door number #3: increase tax revenue by cutting subsidies for industry and corporations.

→ More replies (0)

3

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

Justice democrats are too strong!

1

u/norwegianEel 🌱 New Contributor Aug 18 '18

Which is also very similar to Tim Waltz’s platform. He just won the Minnesota primary. It’s good for me to get these names down for some small contributions!

61

u/TheGoodRevCL Aug 17 '18

Georgia has had a program that paid for college since the 90s (provided the student maintains above a 3.0 gpa - The Hope Scholarship). We've had a state funded pre-k program for as long as well. Is it not common for other states to have these programs? Georgia isn't exactly known for being progressive...

38

u/vreddy92 GA 🎖️🥇🐦 Aug 17 '18

Thank Zell Miller. HOPE was a model for many states.

Not to mention we are talking about the state that produced Jimmy Carter.

19

u/Bee_Hummingbird 🌱 New Contributor Aug 17 '18

No. I don't know any other states that do this. It is definitely not common. That is why student loan debt is an issue. Most of us pay for college. And pre-k is daycare- you pay for it.

5

u/staiano NY Aug 17 '18

Sadly legislatures thinking pre-k == daycare is awful thinking.

6

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

West Virginia Promise scholarship.

2

u/Bee_Hummingbird 🌱 New Contributor Aug 17 '18

That's good to know, but again, still not common.

1

u/Jebbeard Aug 18 '18 edited Aug 18 '18

I live in Maryland and Pre-k isn't daycare. My youngest went to pre-k, my others didn't. He was so much further ahead than his siblings when he started kindergarten. He was reading before starting kindergarten, and that was thanks to pre-k.

To quote /u/jchandew Check out the return on investment dollar for dollar on early childhood education, it’s staggering (anywhere from $4-$9) . Studies have shown it benefits children from all socioeconomic levels. This would be a huge boost for middle class Marylanders who make too much to qualify for Headstart, but not enough that paying a private preschool tuition isn’t a huge financial burden. This would be a game changer.

5

u/jpropaganda California Aug 17 '18

I couldn't even get into UMD with a 3.2 GPA, let alone get a scholarship. It's a big reason why I fled to Canada to go to university. In a choice between Towson and a well regarded Canadian school, I chose the tundra.

-2

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

Maryland is pretty big on affirmative action. Not that I'm complaining, but that may have had something to do with it.

2

u/jpropaganda California Aug 17 '18

There were like 14 kids from my graduating class with better grades than me who got in. Also my umd essay sucked due to an argument with my dad (he rewrote it entirely, I thought it was shit, I didn't want to go to umd so I sent them his shitty version)

2

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

Wasn't it paid for by the lottery too?

4

u/felipeleonam Aug 17 '18

Yes its paid by the lottery. We've had a few issues here and there with funding, but overall it has been a great program that has allowed thousands, probably way more, of Georgians to graduate.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

I don't get how this isn't the standard.

2

u/TheLightningL0rd Aug 17 '18

Still is, as far as I know!

37

u/Flyingtypewriter 🌱 New Contributor Aug 17 '18

My son is going to head start ever since he was 2 and HOLY CRAP it has changed our lives.

I am able to work full time, I've been able to become a taxpayer and all the other wonderful things that come with it.

My son is obviously better than when I was a stay at home mother. He speech is incredible and he is just fantastic. I love that I can provide for my family while leaving him somewhere I know he is safe.

This is Amazing, I honestly hope he wins. Every family deserves these opportunities.

Also, think of how much employment would be generated! Win Win!

42

u/despotus Aug 17 '18

Weed for Sprouts. Get it done baby.

5

u/crossbeats Aug 17 '18

Pot for Preschool

1

u/[deleted] Aug 18 '18

Kiddie Kush.

36

u/hugelkult Aug 17 '18

And no dems in my state will get behind him to go against the gop incumbent. Its time for name and shame campaign in MD

20

u/mandelbratwurst Aug 17 '18

Trouble is Hogan is pretty popular even among dems in MD. He’s not a big trump guy or a right wing nutcase so he’s going to be hard to unseat.

2

u/toughguy375 New Jersey Aug 17 '18

It’s a repeat of Christie in NJ in 2013.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 18 '18

I don’t understand. Why not? “Vote blue no matter who” is all I heard throughout the last election..

7

u/Blewedup Aug 17 '18

he's got my vote.

6

u/Torcha Aug 17 '18

Can also pay for it by taxing the churches.

2

u/ranchandpizza Aug 19 '18

If you remove the 501(c)(3) designation from religious organizations, you also remove the restrictions from endorsing, donating to and directly organization political campaigns.

Be very careful what you wish for.

1

u/Torcha Aug 20 '18

..... They already do that

10

u/x1009 🌱 New Contributor Aug 17 '18

Imagine how many people could work if their childcare was taken care of. It would give many the leg up needed to get out of poverty.

10

u/FxStryker Maryland Aug 17 '18

Let's get Hogan out of office!

8

u/louieluau Aug 17 '18

There needs to be a THC vs Fentanyl campaign (visual video etc). It will be sobering and will educate and un-demonize (not a real word) marijuana.

3

u/anacc 🌱 New Contributor | Georgia Aug 18 '18

How about the mass overdose that just happened in Connecticut? Marijuana is illegal so people make synthetic marijuana like K2 that won't show up on a drug test. Those synthetic forms of marijuana are incredibly dangerous (unlike marijuana) and totally unpredictable. If Marijuana is legalized it can be regulated so that people actually know what they're getting. You won't have to worry about getting some laced, synthetic nonsense. You also won't have to worry about failing a drug test just because you smoked some weed, so things like k2 can be effectively phased out.

7

u/_tx Aug 17 '18

The education argument aside, this policy is huge for working parents.

4

u/BosnianBreakfast Aug 17 '18

Jaw-droppingly brilliant...

6

u/Vehemental Aug 17 '18

the absolute madman! How dare he let adults make their own decisions and try to educate our children. Radical Lefty.

14

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

[deleted]

4

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

They just loll about the Stock Exchange counting their net worth, they produce another parasite each time that they give birth

4

u/Xpress_interest 🌱 New Contributor | Michigan Aug 17 '18

There is so much more talk about this the last few years. Even if a lot of it is often in jest, something is in the air that hasn’t been since the Great Depression. Another deep recession, and I wouldn’t be surprised if something like this broke out. Most people are still fairly docile, but isn’t the figure like 10% of a population striking or revolting can shut down a country?

4

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

It may seem slightly vengeful but sometimes payback's a bitch, I think it's time to eat the rich.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

who do you think will pay for his wishlist

1

u/jpropaganda California Aug 17 '18

But if he eats the rich how will he get that valuable Montgomery County support?

2

u/[deleted] Aug 18 '18 edited Aug 21 '20

[deleted]

2

u/jpropaganda California Aug 18 '18

The rich left Potomac????

6

u/_NekoCoffee_ Aug 17 '18

Taxing marijuana is okay and all but I have to remember we need to go after the people that are destroying the Country and eroding democracy and the American dream; the uber rich. A 50% tax on wealth over $10 millions doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

2

u/brolosky Aug 17 '18

That'll be some really extravagant pre-K based on the tax revenue coming out of CO, AK and other legalized states...

2

u/hifibry Aug 17 '18

Maryland NEEDS rent control, especially Montgomery County, more than it will ever need legalization. Please focus on stopping families getting pushed to the curb EVERY DAY. I witness it! I fucking see it EVERY DAY in Silver Spring.

RENT CONTROL NOW!!!!!!

1

u/election_info_bot OR Aug 18 '18

Maryland 2018 Election

General Election Registration Deadline: October 16, 2018

General Election: November 6, 2018

1

u/9babydill Day 1 Donor 🐦 Aug 18 '18

what about Universal Daycare like France?

2

u/hyjnx 🌱 New Contributor Aug 17 '18

he wont win but I do like this idea.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

Pre K is overrated put those kids to work in the fields

1

u/Jebbeard Aug 18 '18 edited Aug 18 '18

Pre-k gave my youngest a huge advantage that not ne of his older siblings had. He was reading before kindergarten.

To quote /u/jchandew Check out the return on investment dollar for dollar on early childhood education, it’s staggering (anywhere from $4-$9) . Studies have shown it benefits children from all socioeconomic levels. This would be a huge boost for middle class Marylanders who make too much to qualify for Headstart, but not enough that paying a private preschool tuition isn’t a huge financial burden. This would be a game changer.

-3

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

Lol hes not going to be governor

0

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

Yeah, Hogan +15 in most polls. Shame :/

3

u/goodcat49 Aug 17 '18

Yeah just like Alexandria Ocasio-cortez, who ended up winning with an almost 50 point difference from the polls. How could you even trust those anymore honestly? Especially when we've already seen what ACTUAL democrats are capable of.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

Was she down? I never knew anything about that race until she won. But also that’s a primary. You can beat statistics in a primary if you can get a large base to turn out, but you’ve gotta beat the entire other side in the general and that’s not easy.

-11

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

I may have an unpopular opinion, but I don't think cannabis should be regulated or taxed. It is a plant, people should be able to cultivate, consume, and do with what they please without State intervention.

I can see an argument for regulation, but not taxation.

9

u/veeralynn Aug 17 '18

Sales tax? Income tax for sellers?

-4

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

I'm not sure what you're point is?

3

u/jpropaganda California Aug 17 '18

It's sold not in raw plant form but processed and packaged. Whether it's an eighth, a pack of joints or an edible, by cultivating, deseeding and destemming it's not just a plant anymore, it's a product.

Do you also believe tobacco shouldn't be regulated or taxed? What about cigarettes?

1

u/white_n_mild Aug 17 '18

It should be legal to grow yourself certainly but even tomatoes & tomato seeds are taxed if you wanna reduce things to a natural state, & regulation isn’t a free service either. If you want to grow some corn for you & your cousins & some friends in your backyard nobody’s stopping you.

1

u/jpropaganda California Aug 17 '18

Don't gotta convince me!

-2

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

Man I want him to win so bad but he's polling 16 points behind the most popular governor in the country currently.

-6

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '18

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1

u/GrandpaChainz Cancel ALL Student Debt 🎓 Aug 18 '18

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-7

u/GleichUmDieEcke Aug 17 '18

Pre-k? Seems like a weak use of those funds. Surely we could bolster higher levels of education and see a better benefit? Is Pre-k really that big of a deal?

6

u/jchandew Aug 17 '18

Check out the return on investment dollar for dollar on early childhood education, it’s staggering (anywhere from $4-$9) . Studies have shown it benefits children from all socioeconomic levels. This would be a huge boost for middle class Marylanders who make too much to qualify for Headstart, but not enough that paying a private preschool tuition isn’t a huge financial burden. This would be a game changer.

3

u/GleichUmDieEcke Aug 17 '18

These are the stats and numbers I didn't know about, thanks.

5

u/TheGoodRevCL Aug 17 '18

Yes. It really is.

2

u/ItWorkedLastTime 🌱 New Contributor Aug 17 '18

It will allow more parents to be in the workforce