Arrests in Matthew Perry's death and Kamala Harris' economic agenda: Morning Rundown
NBCAug 19
Kamala Harris Releases Economic Agenda
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The Facts
During a speech in North Carolina on Friday, Democratic US presidential candidate Kamala Harris announced some of her campaign's economic proposals, including a ban on what she calls "price-gouging" and tax credits for homebuilders who build for first-time buyers.
The home-buying policy proposal, for which first-time buyers would receive $25K toward their down payment, would be part of Harris' pledge to build 3M new houses over the course of her first four years in office and beyond.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Harris is not latching herself to either side of the traditional economic debate but rather offering a nuanced approach focused on the middle and working class. While she believes in using the government to fight corporate greed, she also understands the need to cut the red tape that holds average citizens back from starting a business. And while she understands the need for innovation, she won't let companies overprice their products to the detriment of the consumer.
Republican narrative
When Kamala says she'll fight against "price gouging," what she really means is using the government to fix prices — one of the most illogical economic ideas ever invented. Prices naturally go up and down, whether at a large or small business and often to ensure goods don't run out when they're in short supply. If Harris gets her way, her price-fixing policy will prove ineffective against corporations while sending small businesses into bankruptcy.