Bernie Sanders Proposed Funding Mechanisms For Expanded Government Programs

The provided source material contains information about Senator Bernie Sanders' proposals to fund expansive government programs, including tuition-free college, universal childcare, and a Green New Deal. These proposals rely on specific taxation methods targeting financial transactions, wealth, and corporate activities. The sources do not contain information regarding free samples, promotional offers, no-cost product trials, brand freebies, or mail-in sample programs. Consequently, an article addressing the user's request regarding those consumer topics cannot be generated from the provided data. The following analysis details the funding mechanisms described in the sources for Sanders' economic plans.

Wall Street Transaction Taxes

One of the primary funding mechanisms identified in the source material is a financial transaction tax (FTT). This tax is intended to generate revenue for programs such as tuition-free college and general government spending.

• Proposed Rates: Source [2] and Source [3] describe a tax structure that includes a 0.5% tax on stock trades, a 0.1% fee on bond trades, and a 0.005% fee on derivative trades. Source [3] cites research by economist Robert Pollin, projecting that this structure could raise $2.4 trillion over ten years.
• Legislative Context: Source [2] mentions that Sanders introduced a bill proposing a 0.50% tax on all stock transactions, 0.10% on bond transactions, and 0.005% on derivative transactions.
• Criticisms and Market Impacts: Source [2] outlines specific criticisms of this approach, suggesting that it favors certain financial instruments over others, reduces liquidity in the markets, and imposes a high tax burden on financial transactions.

Wealth and Income Taxation

The sources describe proposals to tax extreme wealth and high incomes to fund social programs, including childcare and Social Security reforms.

• Wealth Tax: Source [3] indicates a plan to tax the assets of the top 0.1% of Americans, noting that much of this wealth is currently not subject to property taxes. Source [3] also mentions a progressive estate tax on the wealth of the top 0.2%.
• Income Tax: Proposals include scrapping the income limit on Social Security payroll taxes, ending special tax breaks on capital gains and dividends for the top 1%, and substantially increasing the top marginal tax rate on income above $10 million.
• Income Inequality Tax: Source [3] describes an "Income Inequality Tax Plan" that would penalize companies whose highest-paid executives make over 50 times their median worker pay. This is framed as a way to address income inequality.

Corporate Taxation and Fees

Funding for the Green New Deal and other initiatives is linked to increased corporate taxes and fees on specific industries.

• Green New Deal Funding: Source [3] states that $2 trillion of the $3 trillion raised from corporate taxes over ten years would be devoted to the Green New Deal. The plan also targets the fossil fuel industry through litigation, fees, taxes, and the elimination of federal fossil fuel subsidies.
• Corporate Tax Rates: Source [3] mentions progressively higher corporate tax rates for companies whose top executives take home "exorbitantly" higher amounts than their typical workers.
• Specific Corporate Pressure: Source [3] notes that Sanders successfully pressured Amazon.com Inc. to raise its minimum wage to $15, highlighting a strategy of using public pressure to influence corporate behavior.

Other Proposed Funding and Savings

The sources mention other methods to pay for government programs, including cuts to military spending and changes to debt collection practices.

• Medical Debt: Sanders proposed eliminating an estimated $81 billion in past-due medical debt and reforming debt collection practices. This would involve instructing the IRS to monitor nonprofit hospitals regarding billing and collection practices.
• Military Spending: Source [3] mentions that the Green New Deal would be partially paid for through cuts in military spending.
• Job Guarantee and Economic Growth: The plan for a job guarantee and a full-employment economy is mentioned, with the expectation that new jobs would increase tax revenue and decrease safety net spending, thereby helping to pay for the programs.

Conclusion

The provided sources detail a comprehensive strategy for funding expansive government programs, primarily through taxes on financial transactions, wealth, and corporations. The financial transaction tax is a central component, designed to raise trillions of dollars over a decade. Additional funding is expected from wealth taxes, increased corporate tax rates, and cuts to military spending. The sources frame these taxes as necessary to support initiatives like tuition-free college, universal childcare, and the Green New Deal, while also acknowledging criticisms regarding market liquidity and tax burden.

Sources

1. American opinion: More free stuff, this time suggested by Bernie Sanders
2. A look inside Bernie Sanders' College for All plan
3. Review: Bernie Sanders' Economic Policies