On Friday, May 22, the New American Accord visited the Federal Building in downtown Boston to meet with the office of Senator Elizabeth Warren. Carl Williams hosted, as Regional Director for Senator Warren, and Bill and Elisabeth, introduced themselves as scientists interested in the human dynamics in addressing complex problems. Referring to his slide deck, Bill listed the synergies between Senator Warren’s recent legislative initiatives and tenets of the New American Accord, especially limiting or taxing harm, extraction, and transferred risk. Another shared concern was how to raise children from poverty, especially by taxing wealth. Bill offered his belief that a multi-layered tax system, including eliminating tax breaks, could provide universal health, reduce poverty and still pay down the debt in fifty years with up to a trillion-dollar surplus by managing costs. “Oh, wow!” Bill added that the New Accord included expenditures on infrastructure to improve life and reduce risks for wealthy citizens, such as expanding regional trauma centers, grid hardening against Black Sky events, and pandemic preparation.
Which elements resonated? Mr Williams was intrigued by the notion of a federal debit card with treasury banking. He applauded the emphasis on transparency. He asked about the details of preserving, even enhancing Social Security benefits by embracing the program as an obligation rather than segregated trust fund. The discussion then turned to implementation, sequencing, impacts, mechanisms, and community buy-in. Mr. Williams noted that the concepts are persistent, even if not completely implemented in 2029, remaining elements could still become useful later. He noted that paying down the deficit is the “hot ticket” right now.
Closing comments touched on how the American experience of immigration could be facilitated by the Accord’s parity wedge mechanism, and altering tax policies that inhibit greater distribution of wealth and thriving.
Slide deck
The full deck is available as a PDF below.