The Democratic National Convention’s policy platform, unveiled this week, has sparked concerns that it would exacerbate two of the nation’s most pressing issues: inflation and immigration. Vice President Kamala Harris’s spending proposals, in particular, have raised eyebrows, as she seeks to implement many of the costly initiatives that were left out of President Joe Biden’s original $1.9 trillion spending plan.
Harris’s plan includes free preschool, paid leave, child care, and day care, which would add billions to the national deficit. When asked how she intends to fund these initiatives, Harris provided a vague response, claiming that the spending would “pay for itself” through a “return on investment.” However, this assertion is not supported by evidence, as recent studies have shown that similar programs have yielded no positive results or even negative outcomes for children.
The Democratic Party’s platform also includes a sweeping amnesty program, which would grant citizenship and full benefits to an estimated 10 million illegal immigrants. This move would not only add billions to the federal deficit but also place a significant burden on state and local governments. Furthermore, the platform’s amnesty provisions could potentially cover an additional 3.8 million illegal immigrants who have been caught and released into the country under the Biden-Harris administration.
Harris has also endorsed the Lankford-Mayorkas bill, which would codify the administration’s catch-and-release border policies. This legislation would allow migrants caught crossing the border to be released into the country, free to ignore Immigration and Customs Enforcement and wait for the next amnesty.
In addition to its flawed immigration policies, the Democratic Party platform also includes a range of measures that would increase taxes and energy costs. The document calls for a tax hike on oil and gas companies, which would drive up energy prices and make everyday goods more expensive. It also proposes “environmental justice” reviews, which would add costs to infrastructure projects and hinder economic growth.
The platform’s tax proposals are equally concerning, with a rise in the corporate tax rate that would likely lead to lower worker pay and a new tax on unrealized capital gains that could be struck down by the Supreme Court. Overall, the Democratic Party platform appears to be out of touch with the concerns of American voters, and Republicans would be wise to highlight its radical provisions in the run-up to the election.
