California Governor Gavin Newsom has managed to build a reputation as a fierce critic of former President Donald Trump, but his record is far more complex and concerning than many people outside of California realize. Despite vowing to defeat a proposal for a one-time 5% tax on billionaires in the state, Newsom has been criticized for aligning himself with the ultra-wealthy.
A recent Reuters-Ipsos poll found that an overwhelming 86% of Democrats believe it's essential to change the federal tax code so wealthy Americans and large corporations pay more in taxes. However, Newsom has been unwilling to take a stand on this issue, instead opting for corporate-friendly policies that have benefited the rich at the expense of the poor.
One notable example is his budget plan, which was released in January and balances the state's books by dodging the harsh realities of the Republican megabill, H.R. 1. This means that vital public supports like Medi-Cal will continue to be cut, leaving many Californians without access to food assistance and healthcare coverage.
Newsom has also been accused of pandering to business elites. In a move that was seen as a betrayal, he sent about 100 leaders of California-based companies prepaid cell phones programmed with his own digits and accompanied by notes from the governor himself. This gift is a clear example of Newsom's willingness to accommodate corporate interests at the expense of the poor.
The governor has also been criticized for his stance on environmental issues. He recently signed a bill to open up thousands of new oil wells, which has left climate activists outraged. Newsom has also refused to protect workers' rights, vetoing bills that would provide unemployment compensation to workers on strike and help farmworkers from heat safety regulations.
Furthermore, Newsom's podcast has given a platform to extreme right-wingers like Steve Bannon and Ben Shapiro, validating their attacks on progressivism. His support for Israel is also a concern, as he recently declared that the notion of genocide in Gaza was not accurate, despite an overwhelming majority of Democrats believing this to be true.
In conclusion, Newsom's record shows that he is far more corporate-friendly than many people realize. He has opted for policies that benefit the rich at the expense of the poor and has shown a willingness to accommodate special interests like AIPAC. For anyone who wants a truly progressive Democratic Party, Gavin Newsom is bad news.
A recent Reuters-Ipsos poll found that an overwhelming 86% of Democrats believe it's essential to change the federal tax code so wealthy Americans and large corporations pay more in taxes. However, Newsom has been unwilling to take a stand on this issue, instead opting for corporate-friendly policies that have benefited the rich at the expense of the poor.
One notable example is his budget plan, which was released in January and balances the state's books by dodging the harsh realities of the Republican megabill, H.R. 1. This means that vital public supports like Medi-Cal will continue to be cut, leaving many Californians without access to food assistance and healthcare coverage.
Newsom has also been accused of pandering to business elites. In a move that was seen as a betrayal, he sent about 100 leaders of California-based companies prepaid cell phones programmed with his own digits and accompanied by notes from the governor himself. This gift is a clear example of Newsom's willingness to accommodate corporate interests at the expense of the poor.
The governor has also been criticized for his stance on environmental issues. He recently signed a bill to open up thousands of new oil wells, which has left climate activists outraged. Newsom has also refused to protect workers' rights, vetoing bills that would provide unemployment compensation to workers on strike and help farmworkers from heat safety regulations.
Furthermore, Newsom's podcast has given a platform to extreme right-wingers like Steve Bannon and Ben Shapiro, validating their attacks on progressivism. His support for Israel is also a concern, as he recently declared that the notion of genocide in Gaza was not accurate, despite an overwhelming majority of Democrats believing this to be true.
In conclusion, Newsom's record shows that he is far more corporate-friendly than many people realize. He has opted for policies that benefit the rich at the expense of the poor and has shown a willingness to accommodate special interests like AIPAC. For anyone who wants a truly progressive Democratic Party, Gavin Newsom is bad news.