I just reject the idea that only progressive ideas have to be paid for."

[DetlefK]

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/3/20/17126796/brian-schatz-interview-affordable-college-plan

On Thursday, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) will introduce perhaps the boldest plan yet to make college more affordable: a federal-state partnership with a $95 billion price tag that would result in debt-free college for public university students.

...

Democrats are not in power in Congress or the White House right now, but with the 2018 midterms looking like a possible wave year, lawmakers like Schatz are trying to ready progressive visions for issues that still need to be tackled. Though Schatz’s legislation comes with a hefty price tag, he thinks it’s worth the cost.

“I don’t play the pay-for game. I reject the pay-for game,” the senator said. “After the Republicans did the $1.5 trillion in unpaid-for tax cuts, and as we’re doing a bipartisan appropriations bill — which I support — which is also an increase in federal spending [that’s] unpaid for, I just reject the idea that only progressive ideas have to be paid for. We can work on that as we go through the process, but I think it’s a trap.”

[Squinch]

1. After the republicans did what they did, we need to regain power and reverse what they did.

This isn't a matter of "they got their toys, so we get to have ours too."

The republicans have trashed the economy once again. We haven't been hit by that train yet, but we know it is barreling toward us.

We need to reverse the tax bill, tax the rich more, and THEN we can talk this kind of thing.

[shanny]

2. Why can't we tax the rich more

in order to do this kind of thing? Why not connect those dots?

I bet a bunch of people would get behind that kind of " pay-for" as opposed to cutting something else.

[Squinch]

4. That is what I am saying we should do. But adding to the mess we are in right now

before we have the power to do that would hurt us all even more.

[shanny]

5. I don't see how we can add to the mess we are in

since we don't have the power anyway. Repukes aren't going to get behind a "free college" bill; they don't even like public schools.

Offering something great for Americans while simultaneously pointing out R hypocrisy and rich people-pandering is a win-win in my book. Give the people something to vote for.

[Squinch]

6. I don't think that's our biggest vote "get." Safe Social Security and Medicare, and accessible and

affordable health care, from what we are learning in the special elections, are the issues that are getting people.

That being said, godspeed to the guy because he's pointing out the hypocrisy.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. An Interesting Message

Tax cuts will "pay for themselves" later, but expanding an educated workforce won't? That makes no sense.

Military spending protects the economy, but a healthy, productive workforce doesn't? Ibid.

I like this guy's rhetoric. Nice take on his part.