A New New Deal

Summary:

I. Introduction 

II. Infrastructure

    A. Nuclear Power

    B. Transit

    C. AI

    D. Digital Infrastructure

    E. Housing and Urban Development

III. Fuel Small Businesses

    A. Small Businesses 

    B. Small Farms

IV. Fixing Our Planet

    A. Local Sustainability and Permaculture

    B. Renewable Energy

    C. Broader Environmental Threats

V. Big Government Must Get Better

VI. Mental Healthcare For All

The United States of America is the richest civilization in the history of the world. Yet, this immense wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving millions struggling just to get by. The job market is set to worsen (in the near term) as AI and automation continue to replace human labor across industries. Having a job is essential not only for financial stability but also for a person’s sense of purpose, self-worth, and overall mental and emotional well-being, as it provides both structure and a means of contributing to society. 

We need a new New Deal that will usher our nation into the 22nd century, positioning the United States as a global leader and lifting up other nations as that ‘shinning city on a hill’. We can do this by focusing on infrastructure, small businesses, mental health, and fixing our planet.

Critics will argue that the below is far too expensive, but this fails to take into consideration the wealth that will be created by empowering the middle and lower-income classes. 

II. Infrastructure:

A. Nuclear Power:

While in the Navy, I qualified as a nuclear plant operator, and was able to discover the almost magical nature of this resource. Just one gram of Uranium-235 produces as much energy as two million grams of petroleum! Although this is one of the cleanest sources of energy available to us, it’s gotten a bad rap due to prior accident and nuclear waste.

With respect to prior accidents, we must understand that the average age of the world’s nuclear plants is 42 years old. Most were built using technology developed over half a century ago—before we had modern materials, digital safety systems, or the ability to fully anticipate complex threats like natural disasters. Accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima were tragic, but they also spurred innovation. Today’s new reactor designs, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Generation IV systems, incorporate passive safety features that allow reactors to shut down automatically without human intervention or external power—even during earthquakes, floods, or grid failures. Some models are even designed to be built underground, offering greater resilience against both natural disasters and targeted attacks. Advances in fuel technology have also drastically reduced the risk of meltdown and the volume of long-lived radioactive waste.

With respect to nuclear waste, the amount of waste produced is actually quite small given how much waste we put in landfills on a regular basis. For example, a single nuclear reactor generates only 20 to 30 metric tons of nuclear waste per year whereas in just one week, New York City produces around 154,000 metric tons of waste. 

By leveraging new technologies like Generation IV reactors and Small Modular Reactors, we can reduce nuclear waste by up to 90%, making it even more manageable and sustainable. 

B. Transit: 

In addition to repairing our current roads and bridges, we must start focusing more on next gen public transit:

Using the best technologies from around the world—such as maglev (magnetic levitation) trains and next-generation electric high-speed rail—we can create a coast-to-coast system that rivals the best in the world. China now operates the largest high-speed rail network, with trains reaching over 220 mph, while Japan’s groundbreaking SCMaglev has achieved record speeds exceeding 370 mph. With this tech, we could go from Atlanta to New York City in just 2.5 hours. If we built these underground in a vacuum, which is very possible, they could achieve 700mph! These clean, quiet, and efficient trains would not only cut our dependence on fossil fuels and congested highways but also revitalize regional economies by connecting rural communities and urban hubs in a seamless, affordable transit grid.

At the local level, we could integrate autonomous buses and cars, expand bike paths and electric bike-share systems, install electric motorized walkways, and connect urban hubs with underground maglev Hyperloops.

C. AI:

We will need AI to help get us out of this thirty-seven trillion dollar debt. Although in the short-term AI will certainly lead to job loss, we must lean into AI for job creation and GDP growth. AI has the potential to unlock significant benefits, including driving economic growth and efficiency, improving healthcare and education, solving global challenges like climate change, and enhancing creativity. While some jobs may be displaced, AI can also offer opportunities for job creation in sectors we can't yet fully envision. Additionally, AI can increase accessibility, improve decision-making, and pave the way for innovations in numerous fields, making it a transformative force for societal progress.

D. Digital Infrastructure:

We should prioritize improving digital infrastructure by expanding high-speed internet access nationwide, investing in 5G networks, and building secure, resilient data systems. Universal access to reliable, fast internet is essential for education, remote work, healthcare, and business innovation in the modern economy.

E. Housing and Urban Development:

We should prioritize the construction and renovation of affordable energy-efficient housing units to meet the growing demand while expanding and modernizing homeless shelters to provide emergency housing and long-term support.

III. Fuel Small Businesses:

A. Small businesses: 

Small businesses are the heart of the American economy, employing nearly 46% of the private workforce and embodying the entrepreneurial spirit that defines this country. Yet for decades, large corporations have squeezed them out—hoarding market share, lobbying for regulations that favor monopolies, and funneling wealth to the top while leaving communities behind. As AI continues to displace traditional jobs, the need for a thriving small business ecosystem is more urgent than ever. But AI isn’t just a threat—it’s already unlocking massive potential for small startups by lowering costs, increasing efficiency, and opening doors to new industries we couldn’t have imagined a decade ago.

To truly empower this next generation of entrepreneurs—especially young people facing unstable job markets—we must create conditions that allow startups to flourish. That means expanding access to capital, building incubators, investing in digital infrastructure, and subsidizing small businesses so they can thrive even as we raise the minimum wage to $24/hour, the lowest wage at which full-time workers can avoid poverty.

B. Small Farms:

Small farms are essential to our food security, environmental health, and local economies, and they are often the primary source of healthier, organic, and sustainably grown food. Yet they face rising land costs, limited access to markets, and fierce competition from industrial agriculture. To support them, we must expand grant and loan programs specifically for small and regenerative farms, and invest in local food infrastructure like farmers markets, food hubs, and cooperative distribution networks. By empowering small farmers and connecting them directly with consumers, schools, and institutions, we can build a food system that supports local economies and gives families better access to fresh, organic, and nutritious food.

IV. Fixing the Planet:

A. Local Sustainability and Permaculture:

We should encourage the transition to a more permaculture-based society by supporting sustainable practices at the local level. One effective way to do this is by making it easier for homeowners to convert their yards into productive food landscapes. The government can offer tax incentives, grants, or low-interest loans for individuals who invest in sustainable landscaping, such as installing rainwater catchment systems, composting setups, or planting food-producing plants. Additionally, relaxing zoning laws and streamlining the permitting process would enable people to legally use their properties for urban farming and gardening without unnecessary barriers. By also providing educational resources and workshops on permaculture principles, we can empower individuals to design regenerative spaces that benefit their families, neighborhoods, and the environment.

B. Renewable Energy:

Above I advocated the need for nuclear power. That said, we should still continue to support other renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and tidal energy. Each of these technologies offers unique benefits in terms of sustainability and emissions reduction. Wind and solar power are already proven and scalable, providing clean energy while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Geothermal energy offers a reliable, baseload power source that can operate 24/7, while tidal energy harnesses the predictable movement of water to generate electricity with minimal environmental impact.

C. Broader Environmental Threats:

Although greenhouse gas emissions are often recognized as the top issue facing Mother Earth, we frequently overlook the immense importance of biodiversity, deforestation, ocean pollution, and soil degradation.

    1. Biodiversity Protection

The government could fund and enforce stricter conservation programs, expanding national parks, protected areas, and wildlife corridors. It could also incentivize land restoration projects, such as rewilding efforts and sustainable land management practices, to restore ecosystems and protect biodiversity. Additionally, protecting marine ecosystems through expanded ocean sanctuaries and coastal restoration efforts is essential to preserving biodiversity beneath the waves.

    2. Reforestation and Protecting Ecosystems

Protecting and expanding natural carbon sinks, like forests, wetlands, and mangroves, will help offset carbon emissions and preserve biodiversity. Programs for reforestation, afforestation, and ecosystem restoration need to be prioritized. For instance, stopping deforestation in the Amazon and funding sustainable agriculture and forest management can have immediate benefits.

    3. Marine Conservation and Ocean Cleanup

To protect our oceans and the life they sustain, we must invest in innovative technologies for ocean cleanup and support global efforts to reduce plastic pollution. Additionally, expanding marine protected areas, enforcing sustainable fishing practices, and curbing offshore drilling are essential to preserving marine biodiversity and maintaining the health of our planet’s blue ecosystems.

    4. Soil Health and Regenerative Agriculture

We should provide grants and incentives for farmers to adopt regenerative agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, no-till farming, and agroforestry. This would help restore soil health, prevent erosion, and reduce the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers, ensuring long-term food security.

V. Big Government Must Get Better:

Big government often faces criticism for inefficiency, slow decision-making, and bureaucratic red tape. As government agencies expand, they can become disconnected from the needs of the people they serve, leading to delays, wasteful spending, and frustration. When there’s no competition, these programs lack the drive for innovation or improvement, often resulting in stagnant, outdated solutions. The absence of market forces means there's little incentive to change or adapt, leading to costly overruns and lackluster outcomes. The centralization of power also leaves little room for local needs to be addressed effectively, further compounding these issues.

To fix this, we need to streamline government processes and make them more responsive to local needs. This means decentralizing authority, empowering local agencies, and reducing unnecessary regulations. Introducing competition—whether through contracting out services or allowing local agencies to bid for projects—would encourage innovation and efficiency. With public-private partnerships (PPPs), we must enforce strict transparency and accountability, ensuring that private companies serve the public good and not just their own interests. By encouraging healthy competition, reducing red tape, and holding both public and private sectors accountable, we can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs while ensuring they remain focused on the public interest.

VI. Mental Healthcare for All

As our society grapples with economic stresses and the overwhelming impact of technology, mental health challenges are on the rise. These pressures affect everyone—not just those with diagnosed conditions. Mental health is a force multiplier: it makes us better learners, coworkers, parents, neighbors, and leaders. Supporting mental well-being fosters a more engaged, compassionate, and productive society. That’s why we must expand access to care for all, not just those in crisis, and incentivize more providers to meet growing demand. This is an investment that will not only pay for itself, it will also significantly boost the economy, as improved mental health positively impacts EVERY industry across the American economy.