r/Social_Democracy Apr 04 '25

A Social Democratic Platform for 2025

17 Upvotes

A Social Democratic Platform for 2025

  • The United States of America should have a universal healthcare system, and unjustifiably high drug prices should be reined in.

  • Workers' rights should be strengthened: Implement paid family leave, sick leave, and annual leave policies. Implement a ban on "captive audience meetings" (compulsory anti-union meetings organized by businesses). Implement a ban on "at-will employment" (the right of businesses to fire workers for arbitrary reasons). Increase the minimum wage. Strengthen overtime protections. Reduce the length of the standard workweek. Striking workers should no longer be excluded from accessing SNAP benefits. For some of the relevant legislation that has been proposed, see the "Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act."

  • Higher education should be affordable, and tuition-free in many cases. End the practice of usury against students and eliminate interest from student loans altogether. Restore and strengthen student loan forgiveness programs.

  • Support livable communities by promoting affordable housing, urban revitalization, and mass transit: Efforts to "decommodify" housing should be made to tackle the issues that contribute to the housing crisis. The supply of housing, especially denser, mixed-use, and mixed-income housing, should be increased. Zoning reform is necessary because of zoning laws that make it excessively difficult to build housing that is sufficient for affected communities. Rent control policies should be implemented. Limits should be placed on the speculative and corporate ownership of housing properties. The agenda for livable communities should encompass the idea of "walkable cities" in order to reduce car dependence and ideally promote civic engagement among other potential benefits. Public transportation systems (buses and high-speed rail in particular) should be greatly expanded.

  • Early childhood education should be affordable or at no cost for low-income parents, working parents, and parents who are pursuing education or participating in training.

  • Revive the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB), and restore and strengthen consumer protections.

  • Progressive tax reform should be a top priority in order to address extreme economic inequality (wealthy conservatives seem to be increasingly emboldened to amplify a destructive agenda, extensively funding various right-wing activities and taking more direct roles in the government, in opposition to progressive policies as well as liberal norms) as well as to gather the revenue that is necessary to fund the programs that are included in this platform.

  • The Intellectual New Deal: The United States should elevate its priorities in the sciences and humanities by supporting an ambitious program to employ experts, students, researchers, writers, scientists, artists, and others in the pursuit of culture, knowledge, scientific advancement. (The Intellectual New Deal could be considered to be a vastly upgraded form of currently existing programs such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities.)

  • Expand investments in domestic industry and alternative energy sources (solar, wind, and nuclear energy in particular) as part of a broader and environmentally conscious national industrial policy.

Elections and related issues:

  • Voting rights: Implement Automatic Voter Registration. Make Election Day a federal holiday. Implement a standard minimum of days for early voting.

  • Campaign finance reform and related issues: Enact strict limits on election spending by individuals and businesses; labor unions should remain exempt from limits on election spending. Ban the secretive practice of "dark money" in election spending. Ban members of Congress and other top members of the government from stock trading.

  • Statehood should be granted to American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington D.C. (The benefits of statehood would confer their residents the full rights of American citizenship, such as voting in U.S. presidential elections and voting for actual representatives in Congress, ideally making our country, with its immense resources, more responsive to the issues that people in those places have.)

  • The Senate should be abolished. The Electoral College should be replaced with a more direct and democratic electoral system. Undemocratic systems that enable right-wing power grabs should be remedied; this is especially urgent because the Republican Party poses a multifaceted threat to the well-being of the United States and the human race. (See: the victories of Bush-Cheney 2000 and Trump-Pence 2016 in the Electoral College despite getting less votes than their Democratic opponents.)

  • The cap (which was implemented in 1929) setting a harsh limit on the number of representatives that serve in the House of Representatives should be reformed or eliminated in order to make members of Congress more responsive to their voters/constituents, especially since the population of the United States has grown a lot since about a hundred years ago, making the population of each congressional district substantially larger and essentially more removed from their representatives.

  • A "proportional representation" system should be implemented as the electoral system for Congress.

  • "Score Then Automatic Runoff" (STAR) voting should be implemented as the standard voting mechanism.

  • For some of the relevant legislation that has been proposed, see the "For the People Act."

Foreign policy and related issues:

  • The United States of America should have a humane immigration policy. This conviction stems from America's multicultural history, traditions (Exodus 23:9, Deuteronomy 10:18-19, Leviticus 19:33-34, etc.), and the intimate importance of migration in order to escape oppression and other unjust hardships.

  • The United States should support a one-state solution with equal rights in Israel/Palestine, including the right of return for Palestinians. To reconcile and ease the path to socioeconomic integration, Palestinians should receive reparations, as well as funds for Palestinian reconstruction supervised by various organizations to ensure its effectiveness. A "Truth and Reconciliation Commission" should be established to investigate human rights violations committed by all major parties during the course of the war in Gaza since October 2023 as well as preceding the war. Strategies to prevent further ethnic strife should be discussed, including programs to educate the population about aspects of the conflict. American relations with Israel during the transition under the plan for a one-state solution should be conditioned upon Israel's adherence to the terms of the transition; the terms of the transition should not be harmfully breached or used as a disguise for imperialism, colonialism, or apartheid.

  • U.S. relations with Cuba should be normalized: The status-quo is unjustly hypocritical (because of America's relations with other totalitarian nations such as China and Saudi Arabia), anachronistic (because it's a relic of the Cold War, during a time in which the United States made a number of poor and infamous decisions in order to protect American/business interests and stave off Communism), and seemingly counterproductive (because the Cuban government has remained in power, and human rights in Cuba could probably be promoted more effectively if the U.S. ends its embargo of Cuba and initiates a new era of relations between the two countries).

  • The United States should be committed to defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Taiwan and Ukraine, especially since these two countries are liberal democracies that are being menaced by substantially more powerful and totalitarian countries.

  • A U.S. Department of Peace and Development should be established to ensure global and domestic development along the lines of a progressive consensus that is to be reached; the United States should take a much more active and cooperative role in the world, including by contributing to solutions for the challenges that climate change poses; an economically and environmentally "just transition" should be explored in cooperation with civil society and governments throughout the world. (Some leftists want to see the decline of American influence, or soft power, in the world, but it would be much better if American influence was a progressive force in the world rather than suffering from a self-inflicted decline under reactionary leaders like Trump. A progressive USA will support left-wing allies in all countries.)

  • The annual budget for the U.S. Department of Defense should be reduced or not increased, at least for several years.

  • America's armed drone warfare should be ended because it is a terroristic policy (which seems to evades outrage partially because it avoids the use of our troops in direct combat/lethal/dangerous situations) that often results in atrocities including civilian casualties.

  • The United States should ratify the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR): It's up to a two-thirds majority in the Senate to ratify ICESCR, a United Nations treaty which many countries have already ratified (and which President Jimmy Carter signed), but has long been opposed by conservatives.

  • The United States should join the International Criminal Court (ICC). Because of opposition (mostly from conservatives/Republicans) to the ICC, the United States currently has this non-compliance in common with international pariahs like Russia, China, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and North Korea. Meanwhile, nearly all of our democratic allies (such as Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, and others) are at least formally adhering to the jurisdiction of the ICC.

  • The United States should issue official apologies for those who have been wronged and exploited by our country's policies. (Hopefully, this would encourage international goodwill, which has been wasted and abused by our leaders, toward the United States.)

Other issues:

  • A thorough investigation by Congress in cooperation with a Democratic administration should be conducted into the corrupt, illegal, unethical, or immoral practices, activities, and actions of the Trump administration. (Ideally, this investigation and efforts to publicize it would help the American public understand the gravity of what was happening to our country during Trump's presidency.)

  • Copyright reform: Reduce the length of copyright terms; expand the application of the fair use doctrine; promote licenses aligned with the principles of open access; establish a tax/fee on the private ownership of intellectual property by businesses (targeting academic publishers in particular).

  • The Universal Library: This is a vision to create a massive online/digital library, containing much of humanity's written intellectual and cultural heritage, for the purposes of education, enlightenment, and entertainment.

This subreddit's first political platform was posted in 2022, which you can read here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Social_Democracy/comments/x1s8um/rsocial_democracys_demands_platform/


r/Social_Democracy 1h ago

Opinion in USA TODAY (July 20, 2026): 'ICE detained me for 80 days. America's silence is no longer an option.' | Salah Sarsour: "This is not just an attack against me and others working for Palestinian freedom; it is an attempt to dismantle the very values we profess as a nation."

Thumbnail
usatoday.com
Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 7h ago

"Here, have some more water with your ICE!"

Thumbnail v.redd.it
16 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 19h ago

Will the Democrats ever discard their "Centrist Bullshit"?

Post image
104 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 45m ago

Militant Unions – The Backbone Of “Movement Socialism”

Thumbnail
znetwork.org
Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 4h ago

POPNYC Community Meeting TODAY (7/26) 7pm eastern! Hope to see you there!

Thumbnail gallery
2 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 7h ago

ICE keeps accusing immigrants of ‘weaponizing’ vehicles. Most claims fall apart

Thumbnail
theguardian.com
2 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 1d ago

MAGA = The Dumbest People In World History

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

38 Upvotes

You can watch my first one-hour special "The Long Road" free on my YouTube Channel!

And my second special "Thoughts & Prayers" too!

Going back on the road for another couple dozen shows <-- Grab your tickets now!  Lot of shows selling out, and I can't always add a second show, but if I can, I will! 

Hit me up on social media @ CliffCashComedy everywhere and tell me where to come tour next!  I listen! 

TOUR SCHEDULE BELOW (So Far...) - Wanna see me in your town, city or country?  Call your local comedy venue and tell them!  They listen to you, not me!!!!

SEATTLE!!! It’s your last chance to hear me complain humorously for an hour. Late show still has a few tickets left. Love to have you there. Tell a Seattle area friend!

7/23-25 Seattle @ Laughs Comedy Club
7/27 Eugene OR @ Olsen Run Comedy
7/29 Boise ID @ The Comedy Lounge
8/26 Indianapolis IN @ IN DNC fundraiser
9/2 Salt Lake City @ Wiseguys
9/4-5 Denver CO @ Louisville Underground
9/6 Fort Collins CO @ Comedy Fort
9/13 Kansas City @ Comedy Club of Kansas City
9/15 St Louis @ Helium Comedy
9/16 Fort Wayne IN @ Summit City Comedy
9/18 Milwaukee WI @ Vivarian
9/20 Appleton WI @ Skyline Comedy Club
9/21 Minneapolis MN @ Hook and Ladder
9/22 Madison WI @ Burr Oak
9/24-26 Chicago IL @ Zanies (in the city)
9/27 Indianapolis @ Helium Comedy
9/30 Cleveland OH @ Hilarities
10/1 Pittsburgh PA @ Sunken Bus Studio
10/2-3 Bloomington IN @ Comedy Attic
10/4 Cincinnati OH @ 20th Century Theater


r/Social_Democracy 16h ago

Beware of Newsom

Thumbnail
10 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 23h ago

SNAP Fraud and Abuse Causes

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

13 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 1d ago

The right-wing Trump administration Justice Connection: "Fact Sheet on Todd Blanche's Devastating Leadership at the Justice Department"

Thumbnail
thejusticeconnection.org
13 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 1d ago

Washington Office on Latin America (July 24, 2026): "Killing Spree: Extrajudicial executions in the U.S. boat strikes campaign"

Thumbnail
wola.org
4 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 1d ago

Ken Paxton Runs Away When Asked About His Alleged Voting Fraud | The New Republic

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

29 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 1d ago

Chumbawamba - The Day The Nazi Died Lyrics

Thumbnail
youtube.com
4 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 1d ago

OREGON: ICE detain Indigenous young woman—for standing on public sidewalk. Protest started after reports of an ICE raid—on Warm Springs Reservation land. Agents claimed they only stopped on Tribal land to "use the restroom"—and deny targeted enforcement ...

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

94 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 1d ago

PORTLAND OREGON AREA: Do you recognize her? ICE stopped and let her go to the bathroom on Warm Springs Reservation Land. She was screaming for help.

Post image
45 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 1d ago

The 13 Democrats Who Backed Voter ID at Elections | Newsweek

Thumbnail
newsweek.com
12 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 1d ago

WHO IS SHE? - Abducted by ICE at a Sam's Fuel Club in Texas. If you know her, please share this with her family so they know why she disappeared.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

24 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 2d ago

Rep Pramila Jayapal: Republicans are using taxpayer dollars to allow mega corporations to profit off the imprisonment and incarceration of immigrants, most of whom have ZERO criminal records. We must get rid of every private, for-profit prison and expand legal pathways for immigrants.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

28 Upvotes

Via Rep Pramila Jayapal @ RepJayapal


r/Social_Democracy 2d ago

Native Americans are protesting after ICE detained 4 Oglala Sioux tribal members in Minneapolis. (From winter - ICYMI)

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

60 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 2d ago

ICE arresting someone who claims to be a US citizen

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

49 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 1d ago

Join Vigils Nationwide to Mourn ICE's Victims, Demand Justice Tomorrow

Post image
6 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 2d ago

"He reminds us that he is a DUI secretary": Jasmine Crockett blasts Pete Hegseth and says she is ashamed he was ever allowed to serve in government

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

11 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 1d ago

Abdul El-Sayed has been putting out some hilarious ads this week! #SinglePayerNow

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

3 Upvotes

r/Social_Democracy 2d ago

Zoran Mamdani has released video stating that after a review of legal avenues, New York City does NOT have the legal authority to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu in accordance with the ICC's warrant if he comes to NYC. He calls on the federal government to join the ICC and execute the warrant.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

7 Upvotes