US Progressives May want to look at this

[justinsb]

This is the platform of the Green Party of Canada it's leader, Jim Harris, is a former convservative and is still a fiscal conservative. The platform is an interesting blend of fiscal conservatism, environmentalism and progressive social values.

For example, on business taxes: If you run a company and your company takes steps to curb pollution, pays your employees a living wage and offers decent benefeits you save the government money in terms of social programs and environmental clean up so they would share that savings with you in the form of a tax break. According the the parties numbers the government would actually save more than they are giving back with the tax cut and the tax cut will more than pay for the environmental and employment concessions they are asking for - a win - win situation that appeals to what motivates companies (money).

There are similar examples that apply to individuals.

This kind of approach may help the dems, or whoever.

http://www.greenparty.ca/platform2004/en/index.php?p

[MisterLiberal]

1. oboy

Let's water down our platform even further.

Sorry, but I'm holding the line.

[bryant69]

2. How is this approach watering down our platform?

I mean I have questions about implemenation of such a policy, but if our goal is to lower environmental problems and increase workers standards of living isn't this a good idea? Or at any rate, explain to me why this is a bad idea and or not a Democratic idea.


Not to mention that we have similar programs in the United States.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[justinsb]

3. I don't see it as watering down anything...

The government lowers their costs and shares those savings with the company (or individual) but at the same time improves the environment and improves the lives of workers - this would also provide substantial rewards for companies that already do these things. On the flip side, if companies don't do these things their taxes go up pretty substantially.

[aquart]

5. And you would regulate that HOW?

The breaks would go to the businesses but the benefits would be sham.

[justinsb]

7. Why is that?

If the expectations (to recieve the tax cut) are clearly defined in terms of wages, benefeits and environmental protection why are they a sham?

[GOPBasher]

4. This is interesting.

I would be interested in a platform like this. It would have to be very pro-union, though, for me to get behind it.

[aquart]

6. Help business?

Take health care off the backs of businesses. Shore up Social Security (instead of dismantling it) and protect pension plans so they can't be looted.

Fund groundbreaking pure research and sponsor contests for practical innovation, especially in the area of energy use.

Businesses are being crippled by healthcare and energy costs. Do something.

on edit: and pay down the deficit so that foreign capital returns as opposed to cheap dollar buyouts of American industry, resources, and real estate.