The democratic socialist policy agenda

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From the left of the Democratic party, the main initiatives. This isn't necessarily an endorsement, simply a way to keep track.

• Medicare for all
  
• $15 an hour minimum wage
  
• Higher marginal tax rates
  
• A wealth tax
  
• A new green deal
  
• Corporate governance reform
  
• Abolishing share buybacks
  

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For a real world example, critics and fans alike should look to Sweden. The Nordic country has a marginal tax wedge -- the difference between the cost to the employer and what a worker takes home -- of 69.7 percent on salaries above $79,000. That’s almost 30 percentage points higher than in the U.S., and it kicks in a lot earlier than Ocasio-Cortez is proposing. The Marginal Squeeze Sweden takes 70% from top earners Source: OECD Note: Marginal income tax plus employee and employer contributions less cash benefits. Single with income of 167% of average wage. Critics of high taxes claim the policy stifles economic growth by reducing the incentive for people to work. But Sweden’s employment rate is 77.5 percent, beating the U.S.’s 71 percent. The Nordic country has also surpassed the U.S. in terms of economic growth this decade, expanding 2.7 percent a year, on average, compared with 2.2 percent for the U.S.

Ocasio-Cortez's 70% Tax Rate Has Real-World Example in Sweden - Bloomberg

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) will reportedly introduce a tax on wealthy Americans who have more than $50 million in assets. The Washington Post reports that Warren's “wealth tax” is aimed at addressing growing income and wealth inequality in the country. The proposal could help the progressive lawmaker stand out in the 2020 Democratic presidential field, though it is likely to receive scrutiny from her opponents. Emmanuel Saez, a left-leaning economist advising Warren, said her plan is to impose a 2 percent tax on Americans with more than $50 million in assets and a 3 percent tax on those with more than $1 billion in assets.

Warren to propose 'wealth tax' on those with more than $50M in assets | TheHill

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Many of these policies are rather popular, as it happens

A majority of the public supports a single-payer health insurance system, often called Medicare for All, as the idea gains steam among Democrats, according to a new poll. The poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that 56 percent of the public supports a single-payer, Medicare for All plan, compared to 42 percent who oppose the idea.

Poll: 56 percent of public supports Medicare for All | TheHill

A majority of Americans support increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, according to a poll released Thursday. The latest Hill-HarrisX poll found that 55 percent of registered voters said they would support raising the the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Another 27 percent said it should be increased but to a lesser amount.

Poll: Majority of voters support $15 minimum wage | TheHill