Where we need to head.

(Full disclosure: I never liked Howard Dean...I thought his supporters were looney, I thought he was a phony...I'm really sorry.)

In the mid-term elections, we need the initiative of reform on our side. We need a nation-wide platform that promises to change the way the American political process works. Two major structural problems are plaguing American democracy and we must fix these problems. On the brink of disaster, our party must present a bold new vision of what America ought to look like.

The dominance of incumbency in the House of Representative reduces the choice, and thus the freedom, of the American people. We must take redistricting out of the hands of politicians, no districts can be "safe" for either party any more. Additionally, the Electoral College must be abandoned for direct, popular elections of the chief executive.

Along with these political reforms, the Democratic Party must push economic, health care, and environmental reforms to the forefront of the national debate. We can do better in these areas, and we will do better if we are elected.

Howard Dean was trying to push. The people of Vermont will tell you he's no phony after they come home from taking their children to a dr's appt that's not going to kill their pocketbook. FWIW, some of the most rational people I have ever met were Dean supporters. They went on to be some of the hardest working Kerry supporters. I did my time canvassing, calling, and working the polls...still care to call me looney?? :shrug:

That's why i said i was sorry.

I thought I could rely on an old-style Massachusetts liberal to win. I was wrong, we need to revitalize what we're all about. Howard Dean was on the right track. Kucinich is a nutcase, but Dean knew what he was talking about.

We need to keep fighting, constantly.

I am a bit looney these days I guess. Sorry, sorry, sorry. Ack. Shame on me. I get a little testy I guess.

:hug: Laura