Harris Unveils Populist Domestic Agenda

Later today in North Carolina, Vice President Harris will roll out her populist domestic policy agenda, one that should have broad appeal to working and middle class families. Included will be a $6,000 child tax credit for the first year after birth, and plans to lower costs for families. The Washington Post reports:

"The most striking proposals were for the elimination of medical debt for millions of Americans; the “first-ever” ban on price gouging for groceries and food; a cap on prescription drug costs; a $25,000 subsidy for first-time homebuyers; and a Child Tax Credit that would provide $6,000 per child to families for the first year of a baby’s life. [snip]

The flurry of policy positions — just days before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago — represented the clearest articulation yet of how Harris, who has only had a relatively brief time on the national stage, would handle economic policy if elected this fall. Harris has thus far surrounded herself with many former aides to President Biden, and her team had made some overtures to business leaders that they hoped reflected a more centrist approach. But the policy positions she embraced Friday suggest she will continue, if not deepen, the party’s transformation under Biden, who pushed for more aggressive government intervention in the economy on industrial, labor and antitrust policies." (our emphasis)

The most immediately-felt proposal is the ban on price gouging by large food chains on food prices, something that has driven coverage of inflation costs:

"While details were sparse, her campaign said the measure would include authorizing the Federal Trade Commission to impose large fines on grocery stores that impose 'excessive' price hikes on customers. Grocery prices remain a top concern for voters: Even though the rate of increase leveled off this year, grocery prices have jumped 26 percent since 2019, according to Elizabeth Pancotti, director of special initiatives at the Roosevelt Institute." (our emphasis)

Whether that last proposal is workable, it's clearly in line with consumers' anger at food prices that remain stubbornly high. It's smart politics and a contrast with yesterday's poo-fling by the Malignant Loser at his Bedminster club that went off the rails into petty personal attacks.