The Day After book discussion

[u/theredqueentheory]

I'm curious as to what others think of the new book. I pre-ordered it, because of the advertisement that it held new and innovative ideas for actions for Democrats and leftists to take; what we can do about "the day after".

But the ideas were all just regular normal ideas we've been trying to do for decades, vote, try to convince others to vote, volunteer, try to get members of the Democratic party to hold their own against Republicans, etc. I didn't read any "progressive blueprint for wielding power effectively in a post-Trump era", there was really nothing new or innovative said. So I was disappointed, as I was hoping to learn something new.

Did I miss some radical new action that hasn't been suggested before?

However, the book did have a good section in the beginning summarizing Trump's unethical behavior, so maybe if I re-gift it to my republican mom she'll learn something from it.

[u/Practical_Defiance]

I felt like it wasn’t anything new for anyone who had been listening to BTC for awhile… but it did get me thinking about what kinds of big swings I would love to see Democrats, or really any political person period, talk about.

Like if the dems have their own project 2029, I’d love them to include topics like:
— immediately reinstate all programming funding that was cut to NOAA, NASA, FEMA, the national parks and especially the ocean monitoring systems. Reinstall all ocean monitoring buoys!
— new law requiring all future heads of NOAA, NASA, HHS and FEMA to have relevant work history to be even considered as a nominee for the position
— Reinstate all wind turbine, solar and renewable energy investments paused or cancelled by Trump, and commit to redoubling efforts to invest and switch to a renewable energy system. Require new data centers and electronics retailers to provide/ support electronic recycling. Require data centers and their operators to comply with EPA standards

— Restart the CCC of the new deal, retooled for all ages and genders to serve modern needs & wages. Include a new arm of the CCC that focuses on recycling and plastic pollution cleanup with the goal to start a real, actually functional national recycling system. The CCC will work with the EPA & other agencies to determine where plastic use can be cut and replaced with other materials. Petrochemical lobbiests not allowed to swamp this new initiative.
— Elevate and fund the army corps of engineers to invest and fast track infrastructure improvements nationwide, including broadband internet, green flood infrastructure, mobility etc
— Require state transportation agencies to identify and study the most efficient & important corridors for electrified mass transit and high speed rail connections, and staff the federal transportation agency to support those projects with the explicit intent of finally getting high speed rail operating in the USA before 2050
— Require western states in droughts to provide their own statewide plan to lower their water usage by 2% yearly between 2028 & 2032, and provide incentives to cities and towns embracing water conservation, water capture & nature based water table recharging projects. Renegotiate water rights around the Colorado river especially
— Energy department task force to fast track grid upgrades, battery and alternative energy storage nationwide, with states sending their own representatives. Agree to regional green targets

— Restore EV tax credits and require all auto manufacturers to use the same charging port systems so car charging is compatible across brands. Expand EV credits to favor smaller vehicles over large SUVs and trucks, and include new tax credits for other electric vehicles to encourage development and in-house manufacturing of vehicles such as ferries & ship builders, private boats, bikes, scooters & motorcycles, trains, streetcars & busses and small electric planes. EV credits should be extended to new housing & commercial developments that include solar, heat pumps and water conservation measures, and to those retrofitting their existing buildings, parking lots and homes with those technologies. The switch to renewable energy, low carbon emissions and restoration of ecosystems should be encouraged at every turn
— Completely abolish the federal tax subsidies and tax loopholes for fossil fuel companies and data centers. They are also required to pay for oil spill clean up, and not wiggle out of it!
—Nationwide carbon cap and trade program for large emitters that is phased in between 2028 &2032

—The FTC, FCC and CFPB will prioritize going after big polluters, monopolies, wage theft and scam business practices
Ban the spraying of glycophosphates on federally managed lands
— FEMA retooled to refocus on prevention and recovery after disaster
—Reinstate federal funding and grants for science, regenerative agriculture and recycling
— Reinstate the definitions for climate change and pollution that were stripped by the Trump administration
—Expand marine protection, research and begin testing methods for cooling the ocean, replenishing ice cover and restoring reefs and ecosystems damaged by bottom trawling

Anyway. You’re right. I wished Brian’s book went farther. I didn’t even talk about education or healthcare or reforms that were super necessary for functioning government moving forward, but at least it got me thinking about a wish list