Joe Biden's weak policy statement bored me to tears

Total theatre, little substance

Joe Biden gave a speech trying to rally support for his failing presidential campaign. It was total theatre devoid of substance. As I heard him, his campaign promises were typical of his failed policies. A comment on each of the ones I noted follows:

1. Bring back Roe v Wade. The president is not the Supreme Court, and SCOTUS found Roe unconstitutional. Constitutional change is possible but there is virtually zero chance a Biden presidency could bring one about. The best Biden could do is try to persuade Congress to enact federal legislation that overrides State laws on where, when and in what circumstances an abortion is permitted and it is nonsense to think such a law would stand up to SCOTUS review.

2. Stack the Supreme Court. Frustrated that the Democratic party is subject to the Constitution and the oversight of SCOTUS, Biden now says the quiet part out loud and promises to “stack the Supreme Court” with leftist ideologues. Good luck. The Supreme Court is in many cases the only protection Amerians have from radicals in either party and “stacking it” is a serious threat to democracy. The current Supreme Court has demonstrated through its judgments that it will uphold the Constitution regardless of party politics, but the Democrats hate the Constitution since it stands in the way of absolute socialism.

3. Build 2 million homes. There is no doubt Biden could accomplish this but it would be a hollow victory in a country of 330 million with millions of immigrants entering every year. Twenty million homes might alleviate the pressure on housing markets but 2 million is inconsequential. This platform is total theatre. It is less than the number of homes needed in tiny Canada to bring markets into balance.

4. Make billionaires pay their “fair share” of taxes. The top 1% of taxpayers already pay 40% of all taxes collected. The bottom half of taxpayers pay less than 2.5% of all taxes collected. U.S. tax revenue runs about $4.4 trillion per year, over $1.7 trillion of that paid by the top 1% of taxpayers. The federal deficit under Biden is about $1.7 trillion (it has been higher early in his administration). To eliminate the deficit on the backs of the top 1% would require doubling their tax burden. Note that the top 1% comprises about 1.5 million families who on average now pay about $11 million each in annual taxes. Ask yourself how many of these families would relocate to a less oppressive regime if they were compelled to each pay $22 million a year in taxes by Biden. Most would leave.

5. Forgive student debt. Making people who paid for their own education pay for those who relied on borrowed money to take a degree is an unpopular idea except witht those who get a free ride. SCOTUS has already determined Biden lacks the authority to do this. Total theatre.

6. Increase corporate taxes. Corporate taxes are a tax on the poorest in society since corporations don’t pay taxes, they collect them and pass them on in price. Higher corporate taxes punishes those trying to make ends meet. Higher inflation is the result.

7. Negotiate lower drug prices. Biden has no particular skill in negotiation and would be less effective than Trump. Drug companies have tons of resource and find creative ways to redefine, reformulate or replace any particular set of molecules when government intervention squeezes profits. Again, total theatre.

If that is the best the Democratic candidate can muster, he is doomed at the ballot box. His speech put me to sleep.