Unify Progressives
Create a progressive version of CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference. Make progressivism visible as a movement, rather than a constellation of groups each pursuing their own issue or cause. The purpose of this convention is to create a unified progressive agenda that focuses on the rebirth of democracy in America, the revitalization of secular government, and the end of corporate dominance of our politics.
TAKE BACK CONTROL OF THE NEWS
A functional democracy depends on an informed citizenry. A free press serves the public interest as an invaluable source of information and as an agent of constructive discourse. Print, broadcast and digital media companies have a unique responsibility to inform the public and contribute to the political health of the country. No Kings Ever is demanding the following actions be taken to reestablish the news media as a societal watchdog.
INCREASE THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE TO $20/HR.
To address affordability, the first thing we have to do is raise wages. That’s why No Kings Ever supports the 2025 Raise the Wage Act (RWA)[i]. The Federal minimum wage has not been increased since 2009. Analysis by the Economic Policy Institute indicates that raising the federal minimum wage to just $17 by 2030 would impact 22,247,000 workers across the country, or 15% of the U.S. wage-earning workforce. The increases would provide an additional $70 billion annually in wages for the country’s lowest-paid workers, with the average affected worker who works year-round receiving an extra $3,200 per year.
tax reform
We cannot afford to extend tax breaks for corporations or the wealthy that cripple our ability to invest in areas that expand economic growth, like infrastructure and education. Tax reform must be done in a way that raises significant revenue, protects working families and the vulnerable, and requires corporations and the wealthy to pay a fair share.
Enforce Antitrust laws
Since the late 1970s, deregulation and a retreat from anti-trust enforcement has permitted growing monopolization–and declining choice–in not just retailing, but almost every sector of the economy, from airlines to hospitals, banks to communication companies. Meanwhile, industries which didn’t exist thirty years ago, like broadband internet, feature much less choice than they would if they weren’t dominated by a few monopolistic firms.
PROTect and Expand Social Security
Remove or phase out the FICA cap.
Reduce or phase out taxes on Social Security benefits. The “You Earned It, You keep It Act” would eliminate taxes in Social Security income and, according to the Social Security Administration, extend the solvency of the program until 2055.
MEDICARE FOR ALL
Our for-profit healthcare system is extremely expensive, and the outcomes do not justify the expense. Americans have shorter life spans, higher maternal and infant mortality rates and are more likely to suffer from chronic disease than people in other wealthy countries. Beyond making economic sense, there is a clear ethical need for universal healthcare. It is unconscionable that any person should suffer needlessly or die prematurely in an advanced, wealthy nation such as ours. It is time to pass the Medicare for All Act of 2025.
college affordability
College graduates grow the economy, pay more in taxes, have better health outcomes, enjoy lower unemployment rates, have higher life expectancies, and are more civically engaged. Federal Student loan programs have not kept up with the rising cost of higher education. The College for All Act of 2023, provides a strong foundation for improving access to, and affordability of, a college education.
Restructure existing college loan debt with decreased interest rates, forgive interest accrued before graduation, and forgive debt amounts after the principle plus prime rate interest have been repaid.
Vocational and Technical Education
Our higher education system should also recognize the fact that many people don’t need a 4-year liberal arts degree for the careers they will have after graduation. A more direct—and less expensive-- path to employment would be a course of study in a technical or vocational college to acquire the knowledge and skills required for a productive career. No Kings Ever supports the creation of a robust network of trade colleges to get people started in productive and essential careers without incurring debt.
INCREASE RATES OF HOME OWNERSHIP
Home ownership has long been an essential part of the American dream. But today, the cost of owning a home is increasing out of reach for young adults. A family’s home is often their most valuable asset, and a way to build wealth.
No Kings Ever supports The Homes Act. This bill would offer an alternative to a market dominated by corporations and investors with deep pockets, leveling the playing field for those that just want a decent and affordable place they can be proud to call home.
Overturn Citizens United and Limit Private Spending on Elections
We live with a system of legalized bribery. The corrupting influence of private money is the main reason our government does not work for working people and so many of our most important problems are intractable. Overturning Citizens United means changing the composition of the Court. Congress would have to amend the 1869 Judiciary Act to add four liberal justices to the SCOTUS.
A Democratic Congress and President could create a fully-funded public option for all federal elections. Creating a publicly-funded option through legislation would demonstrate just how much better our politics can be. By the time there is enough public support for an amendment, we will have had the opportunity to refine the system and demonstrate its value.
Expand the House of Representatives
Americans are underserved by their Representatives, and the House cannot adequately address the many critical issues facing the country. Political scientists have identified an ideal size that is the most efficient for a national legislature to effectively manage its legislative and governance work. Under the 2020 census, that would mean the House should have about 692 Representatives.
An expanded House of Representatives would improve constituent services, make Representatives more accountable to their voters, allow for stronger oversight of the Executive and Judicial branches, and improve the law-making capacity of the lower chamber.
Democratize the Senate
As originally conceived, the United States Senate was significantly less democratic than its Congressional counterpart, the House of Representatives. Demographers estimate that by 2040, half of the population of the United States will live in just 8 states. This means that soon, half of the population will be represented by 16 Senators, while the other half will control 84 members of the upper chamber. Several well-considered and meaningful proposals have been made to reform how the Senate operates. All aim to eliminate, or at least mitigate, minoritarian domination of the Senate, allowing legislation that enjoys broad popular support to be brought to vote. No Kings Ever supports these proposals, but believes more fundamental change is required.
End Gerrymandering and Strengthen Voting
Historically, both parties have used gerrymandering to preserve their majorities. In recent years, however, Democrats have become amenable to anti-gerrymandering efforts; in part because extremist Republican policies are inherently unpopular. In response to these changing realities, the Democratic-led House passed the Freedom to Vote Act in 2021. No Kings Ever supports the passage of the Freedom to Vote Act as a necessary and substantive first step in reforming our system.
Equal Rights Amendment
No Kings Ever is proposing an expanded version of the Equal Rights Amendment:
Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.
Voting Rights Amendment
It is time to expand this right to include all American citizens at all times, with the exception of imprisonment:
Section 1. No citizen, natural born or otherwise, having reached the age of eighteen years who is not incarcerated, shall be denied the right to vote in any election. No citizen who is eligible to vote shall have their right to vote restricted, diminished or impeded by legislation, policy or practice.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
eliminate the electoral college
Eliminate the Electoral College and codify the direct election of the President and Vice President in the Constitution. One person, one vote.
Limit Private Spending in Elections and Publicly Fund Elections
Amend the Constitution to create a system of publicly-funded Federal elections and cap private donations at $100 per registered voter (adjusted for inflation) and prohibit donations by any organization, corporation, or union.
REFORM THE SUPREME COURT
Historically, the number of Justices equaled the number of Federal circuit courts. Today there are 13 Federal Circuit courts, but only 9 justices. The next Democratic Congress and President should immediately amend the Judiciary Act of 1869 to increase the number of Justices from 9 to 13. Appoint 4 reliably liberal justices to the Supreme Court to dilute the MAGA majority.
Institute 18-year term limits and arrange terms so each President appoints the same number of justices. This will result in a Supreme Court that more closely resembles the culture and priorities of the majority of Americans.
Pass a legally-binding code of ethics with legal penalties for accepting gifts of any kind.
Re-establish an Ethical and Constrained Executive
Pass a new suite of anti-corruption laws:
No Felons
No Conflicts of Interest
No Familial Conflicts of Interest
No Insider Trading
No Gaming the System
No Gifts
Improve Accountability of the Executive Branch
Pass a code of laws to support the rule of law and ethical conduct in government based on the Brennan Center of Justice’s National Task Force on the Rule of Law and Democracy, including the following:
Modernize financial disclosure requirements for
government officials.
Require the president and vice president to
publicly disclose their personal and business
tax returns.
Require a confidential national security financial
review for incoming presidents, vice presidents,
and other senior officials.
Improve Functionality of the Executive Branch
No Kings Ever supports the recommendations of the Brennan Center for Justice’s Volume II of Proposed government reforms. These call for a fact-based approach to governance. Central to this effort is the government’s development and dissemination of scientific data on a wide array of topics ranging from the economy to the weather. The United States has a clear national security interest in making and implementing laws, policies, rules based on the best information available.
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