Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is facing backlash after defending Vice President Kamala Harris’ price gouging plan on Sunday’s “Meet the Press.” Critics are questioning the effectiveness and feasibility of Harris’ economic proposal, but Whitmer dismissed their concerns, claiming that they are “reading too much into” Harris’ policy proposals.
During her North Carolina speech on Friday, Harris unveiled her plan to address housing, high prices, and tax cuts, which includes a federal ban on “corporate price gouging” in food and grocery stores. Whitmer supported this aspect of Harris’ proposal, emphasizing the importance of “corporate responsibility.” But critics, including Fox Business host Larry Kudlow and former Obama economist Jason Furman, warn that the plan is unrealistic and could potentially lead to higher costs for Americans and black market activity.
In an attempt to defend Harris’ plan, Whitmer stated on “Meet the Press” that “people are reading too much into what has been put out there.” She also praised Harris for her focus on building more affordable housing and making healthcare more “accessible and affordable” for Americans. However, Whitmer failed to address the concerns raised by Harris’ critics and instead continued to tout Harris’ values and her desire to help Americans keep more money in their pockets.
NBC host Kristen Welker, however, did not let Whitmer off the hook and pressed her on the issue, asking if Harris’ plan was “anything more than a gimmick.” Still, Whitmer remained evasive and merely reiterated Harris’ values and her purported goal of “corporate responsibility.” She also emphasized the need for a balance between business growth and protecting consumers from price gouging.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the economy, voters have expressed their concerns about the current state of the economy. According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, only 23% of voters view the economic conditions as excellent or good, while 36% view them as poor and 41% view them as “only fair.” Yet, despite the struggling economy and the need to support small and big businesses, Harris and her supporters continue to prioritize policies that could potentially harm both consumers and businesses.
In her op-ed for The Washington Post, columnist Catherine Rampell criticized Harris’ price gouging plan, stating that “it is hard to exaggerate how bad” it is. Furman also weighed in, warning that the plan could have serious consequences if implemented. Despite these criticisms, Gov. Whitmer and other Harris supporters refuse to acknowledge the potential flaws in the plan and continue to defend it blindly.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time that Harris has faced criticism for her economic policies. Her proposal for a wealth tax and her support for the Green New Deal have also been met with skepticism and concerns about their feasibility. It seems that Harris’ plans are more focused on promoting her own values and ideals rather than considering the real-life impact on Americans.
Trump’s economic policies have proven to be successful in improving the overall state of the economy before the pandemic hit. His focus on deregulation, tax cuts, and job creation has led to record-low unemployment rates and a thriving economy. As we navigate through the current economic challenges, it is clear that Harris’ policies are not the solution, and it is important to elect leaders who prioritize the well-being of American businesses and consumers over virtue signaling and unrealistic proposals.