An Independent U.S. Senate candidate says that protecting democracy, and protecting Florida, means preserving the vanishing middle class.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Ben Everidge argued that while Republican Senator Rick Scott and Democratic candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell continue trading shots on which extreme of our major political parties should prevail in November, the primary focus should instead be on how we best preserve our vanishing middle class.
“Our middle class is vanishing before our eyes,” emphasized Everidge, who, in contrast to his competitors, said he is more focused on preserving the middle class. “Instead of engaging in partisan bickering, we should be discussing how we can best preserve our middle class.”
“The common ground for us to do that is for Florida’s United States Senate candidates to start with Robert Kennedy’s idea of providing first-time homebuyers with a three percent interest rate, President Biden’s proposed $10,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, and former President Trump’s focus on deregulating our over-regulated society,” Everidge proposed. “I agree with all three perspectives, meaning we have our common starting ground identified.”
Everidge said he would add to initial discussions his advocacy for a fair flat tax instead of the current flawed progressive tax, urban and rural development incentives, and inflation-fighting measures, which currently have at least some general agreements among Independents, Democrats, and Republicans.
“By prioritizing our middle class, we fortify American democracy,” Everidge asserted. “By ensuring our citizens have access to quality healthcare, affordable education, safe neighborhoods, and well paying jobs, we not only strengthen Florida but also communities across America.
“It seems to me that focusing on productive policy results would be a far better way to spend our time and energy in this election season rather than giving priority to running against things and people only,” Everidge continued. “Floridians want to see something getting done in Washington to fix the problems plaguing them and their families. What are we all for in this campaign, not what are we all against?”
Everidge said that from his perspective, the middle-class-preserving initiatives that should be a high priority for any United States Senator are:
- Tax reform that ensures all individuals and corporations pay their fair share at a reasonable rate.
- Budget reductions and regulatory deregulation that will generate a more efficient federal government and energize the private sector.
- Strengthened Social Security and retirement programs with appropriate incentives for more savings into one’s senior years.
- Better access to affordable healthcare by enhancing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and even greater emphasis on reducing prescription drug prices by directing Medicare to more aggressively negotiate directly with pharmaceutical and insurance companies.
- Expanded rural economic development opportunities combined with urban renewal projects to revitalize our struggling cities and neighborhoods.
- More aggressive infrastructure and pioneering research investments that will produce better-paying jobs.
- More paid family and medical leave policies to support working families, including expanding access to affordable childcare and early childhood education.
- Increased funding for universities, colleges, and trade schools that will reduce tuition and promote more robust workforce development.
“We have a job to do in Washington and a lot of ground to make up for our citizens,” said Everidge. “It’s time our leaders got their heads out of the political sand and did something good for Florida and America as a whole.
“Preserving the vanishing middle class would be a great step forward. Preserving our vanishing middle class should be a higher priority and is for me.”
