Democrats unveil platform: "New Direction for America"

'New Direction for America' platform
June 15, 2006

Negotiate lower prescription-drug prices with pharmaceutical companies for Medicare's drug program.

Fund stem cell research, increase access to healthcare

Increase science research, ensure the teaching of evolution, increase funding for community colleges.

Cut student-loan interest rates by half.

Ensure access to family planning methods and abortion, fund infant and child-care.

Increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour, increase employment benefits.

Enact funding recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Institute lobbying reform, implement balanced budgets, pay down the national debt.

Enact tax changes to benefit entrepreneurs.

Focus national security strategy to nation's borders, increase port security.

Fund more public transportation, promote environmental restoration.

Repeal subsidies for oil and gas companies to encourage renewable fuels.

SOURCE: Office of House minority leader Nancy Pelosi., www.housedemocrats.gov

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/06/15/new_direction_for_america_platform/

===

Democrats to run in `New Direction'

If they win in fall, party will pursue aggressive agenda

By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | June 15, 2006

WASHINGTON -- If Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives this fall, they are vowing to pursue an aggressive agenda in their first week in power that would hike the minimum wage, slash interest rates on student loans, and install a new package of restrictions on lobbying activities that is designed to increase accountability in government.

House Democratic leaders hope the ``New Direction" platform they outlined yesterday will persuade voters to select Democratic candidates in this fall's mid-term congressional elections. Though House Democrats bristle at comparisons to Republicans' 1994 ``Contract With America," the wide range of domestic proposals represent an answer to the GOP's oft-repeated charge that Democrats lack ideas for governing.

``This is a unified Democratic message," House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said yesterday in an interview. ``This is a national message about core values that the Democratic Party will fight for and take us in a new direction. Democrats are wedded to that. It defines us, rather than have the Republicans define us."

Democrats need to pick up 15 seats in the 435-member House to take control of the legislative chamber that shifted to Republican hands in the 1994 elections. Analysts say Democrats could take those seats if voter anger fuels an anti-incumbent wave, but they caution that the small number of politically competitive districts make s such gains extremely difficult.

Republicans quickly attacked the Democratic platform as a collection of nice sounding ideas that will harm the economy and force tax increases.

More: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/06/15/democrats_to_run_in_new_direction/

Lukewarm title, yeah, but let's see what the meat of the platform is like.

I see - it looks less like a party platform and more like an issue paper.

:shrug:

"Focus national security strategy to nation's borders, increase port security."

In other words, "screw Iraq", but they didn't have the cajones to come right out and say it. Hopefully that will be filled in later.

about it right now on C-Span!! Why not come out and say it on paper? :shrug:

That's what drives me INSANE!!!!!! :grr: :grr:

Or as my Texas friend likes to say, "The Dems need to grow a pair!" :rofl:

Just get the fuck out of that god-foresaken hellhole. America wants out. Just fucking say it.

We need to have a plan for Iraq, and follow the plan up by winning the white house in 08' so it can be fully implemented. Screw Iraq is certainly not the type of message we should be sending; if we do we will lose.

you bet your sweet ass our troops will be out of Iraq real soon.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Kucinich kicked ass this morning on C-Span! I think he always does!
And Conyers is just an upstanding guy too! Soft spoken. ;)

:kick:

He and much of the Out of Iraq caucus voted for the "Iran Freedom Support Act"

They are not going to bring the troops home. They keep playing along with Bush's bullshit on Iran. They are not going to hold him accountable for breaking the law!!!!

there is no one in Congress that speaks for you. :P

Why are the democrats sooo damn scared to death of officially coming out AGAINST THE FRIGGING IRAQ WAR???!!! Because the GOP will attack them on the issue? SO WHAT!! MAKE THE REPUBLICANS ATTACK. 70% OF AMERICANS ARE AGAINST THE WAR, COMPRENDE??!!! FORCE THE DEBATE! FORCE THE ISSUE! GROW A PAIR GODDAMNIT!!

The reason that you don't see it there is the same reason that Hillary and Kerry both have positions on Iraq that are almost identical to Bushs', at the very top of both parties, there is a incestous relationship with a group called the Council on Foreign Relations. Members of this group have help an overwhelming majority of high-ranking government positions in the Administrations of both the Dem and Repub parties for decades.

Listen closely and you will hear the Dem pundits telling us that the reason Iraq has gone so badly is because we didn't send ENOUGH troops to that country to begin with.

If you want to understand why things are the way they are, learn more about the Council on Foreign Relations, it's history and it's behind-the-scenes machinations.

Getting the US the hell out of Iraq NOW.

Watch the Repukes try to attack this stuff. They can give tax breaks to billionaires, but not to kids with college loans...everything they say, we can smack right down their throats.

Good, except that there's an absence of policy for Iraq. Other than that, it sounds great!
Ringo

TAX INCREASES COMING TO AMERICANS!!

There is 1000 times more depth and thought to what the ds want to do, but all it takes is that two word piece of ear candy - increased taxes - for the repukes to herd the sheep ...

It's a total BS line from the Repuke morons, but it will still have an effect because RW morons are just that - morons!

I live in a red county, reportedly, though you sure could fool this full-blooded Democrat.

Even today while shopping for flowers, what began with 1 little kindly ole' lady noticing my "Wake-up, America" T-Shirt to amassing a small crowd of (all ages, all types) us gabbing ladies, everyone detest this MisAdm,namely the war and Bush.

Everyone in the crowd said they're voting a straight Democrat ticket, and that includes dumping our states gov Ehrlich.

Yesterday, a neighbor placed a radio on top of his car. I could hear two voices angry as hell talking about how Bush&CO are destroying this country. And I "assumed" he was a Repub. If he is, he was playing that awfully loud as he told me what station it was and how good it was to tune-in.

All is not as one thinks. I don't think we're as divided as many thing and I'm certain people are ticked-off (hear it all the time) w/Bush&Co BIG-TIME in this red county of mine.

it was all about domestic issues. sort of like our version of the contract with america.

now they have to go out there and really push this agenda

for the average voter to grasp. If we can get that idea out, that we are for a "new direction", I think that may reach those voters that read nothing, watch American Idol, but sense in their bones that we need a "new direction"...and that is what they base their votes upon ... the feeling in their bones. Unfortunately, that is probably about a third of all American voters...

They need to be framing their platform around the concepts of healing, relief, and repair. I'm not seeing a whole lot in that regard just yet.

The average American voter votes more heavily for American Idol than they do for the President of the United States....They are easily confused and intimidated by voting machines and ballots. The average American voter is a simple person.

The people who actually vote, know how and are repeats!

The non-voters bury their heads in the sand, imho!

but judging the content, it doesn't amount to much.

Is it better than the Repubs? Sure, but that's not very hard to do. It's just a small decrease on the temperature of the water - still way to hot.

Tell people that Democrats actually have a Direction.

That will certainly save them some time, yeah?

NOTHING about poverty, except the minimum wage. Nevermind the lack of low-income housing, and thousands and thousands of homeless people.

Nevermind elderly and disabled people with not enough money to both eat and have heat.

Nevermind the suicides of people who survived the Superdome and Convention Center because they now have no where to live, and no way to survive.

Nevermind the deaths from lack of health care because of the cuts to Medicaid.

Never mind counting on those votes.

What will it take?

It's pretty sad too!

Welcome to DU!! :hi:

I'm glad for your response..... the only one.

Along with the concern about the voting machines, how 'bout the concern about those votes of folks who've been ignored for so long? Really, why would poor people even *try* to vote, when nobody is bothering to speak to them?

Afterall, they're poor, not dumb.

So, I guess those millions of votes aren't wanted.

Again I ask, what will it take.......?

:cry:

left for awhile and I'm back again!! ;)

Jobs and affordable housing and jobs and affordable housing are HUGE issues, imho!
And getting the HELL out of Iraq!!
I try to get my friends that aren't wealthy, you know the ones, single parents, to vote!
It's very hard because they don't think anybody is listening to them or cares!
I wonder why??? :sarcasm:
It's a tough sell when they are constantly ignored!
All you ever hear about is 'the middle class', well, the middle class is fast disappearing!!
Maybe they'll wake up real soon and start talking to EVERYBODY!!!

:hug:

You're right... it seems to be only the few of us who've "been there" who not only show much compassion, but are even interested. It's *all* about the "muddleclass". I'm afraid I've seen so much self-absorbtion and lack of concern that I'm to the point of not caring if the muddleclass collapses, because that seems to be the only way they'll "get it". I resent having been ignored to the point of coming to that conclusion, but there it is. The only people I've come across who are able to care are those who've "been there".

I cried while looking at the pictures of Bobby Kennedy's last train trip, because he was one who "got it" without prodding, and put his life out there on the line for people at the bottom of the pile. Who is there like him now? NADA. Even Edwards only wants to champion "the working poor". What about the elderly poor? They must work til they fall in the grave of their own accord? What about disabled poor? Thanks to global climate change, we're rapidly running out of ice floes to dump 'em on! Putting people into a situation where they have to kill themselves is cruel beyond words, yet I don't hear of ANY group (besides maybe Call To Renewal) that is trying to do *anything* of substance about keeping poor people surviving. Even asking people here to contact their Reps to avoid budget cuts is very unpopular. I'm beyond hurt, beyond anger. When people are confronted with the reality, and their lack of action, they just get defensive, no matter how they're approached.

What will it take?

After the election, there'll be (again) much pissing and moaning about how many people don't vote, yet right now is the time to approach poor people, and promise to advocate for them. Do you see a big rush in that direction? I don't either. I'm no longer willing to put any energy or time into people who can't be bothered to care about me, or the thousands like me. When they finally need votes badly enough, maybe they'll be willing to be concerned about *OUR* needs?

What will it take? I keep wondering what could possibly change the apathy among "progressives".

:pals: back atcha......'cuz those few of us who understand this need to support each other!

the dems talk a good game, but when it comes to real issues they crumble like a wet hanky

... it's "environmental RESTORATION".

Sigh.

Though I think both should be done, somethings can still be preserved, others need to be restored.

THough they attach environmental protection to another issue and don't list if separately.

is needed. We can go back to preserving once things are fixed. At the rate BushCo fucked over the nation, that could take some time.

yesterday, so we probably won't be hearing from them again until after November.

In the meantime, we need to find a few party leaders. Any ideas?

I won't waste my vote on a non-starter! We just can't afford it this time!
We MUST take over the House and Senate!!

All that you mentioned will be included. (I hope!)
They have been trying to get some measure's passed.
Tough up-hill battle with a pig majority.

fucking wake up at the top, there. wake up.

I don't see anything about fair elections.

I think the presentation needs to be massaged substantially to achieve oomph-imact on the TVs of America, too.

I think education on the university level should be free to qualified students who are American citizens. This would negate the need for student loans. We had this in California until the Republicans f'd it up. Any student with a B average could attend the University of California system tuition free and the state colleges with a "c" average.

It enabled minorities to get a degree and enter professional fields who wouldn't have been able to before then. It also raised the quality of the students who sought higher education. When the University of California started to have to charge tuition, they had to lower their admission requirements to get students whose parents could afford to send them to college.

I too regretfully, could not afford to go to college, and scholarships only for those blessed with top grades... If there were real education programs available like you mention then maybe my kids would have a chance to compete. There is just no way I could ever afford to send them to college on my own...

The system is condemning your children to a mediocre existence unless they are so outstanding at something they can be among the 1% who achieve extraordinary things. It shouldn't be this way. The money is there to do this if our Republican legislatures didn't squander it in corporate welfare and pork barrel projects.

to get this up in everyone's face....

:kick:

;)

:kick:

what a damn shame.

it's infuriating! :grr:
But I understand it too. It's been missing for to long!

:kick:

from the sheeples is "they have no plan" and I know you all hear it too...well here it is. now come on - kick this mother up and start spreading the news....

Even this lukewarm program runs completely opposite the present course of events.

there IS much more

I've been waiting to hear. Thanks for posting this Will. K&R.

New Direction. Can we get more wimpish-sounding. WOW them's strong words NOT.

I'm totally LOL'ing at Nude Erection. Reminds me of the time the Cons in Canada were going to call their party "Canadian-Reform Alliance Party" or CRAP. :rofl: :rofl:
No, I don't think they DO think. In case you can't tell by the state of the country.

:spray: :rofl:

It's a subliminal. Well, actually not anymore. Now that you pointed it out, I won't be able to hear anything except nude erection. The cat's out of the bag. They had better think of something else.

Dear Democratic leaders..

While some of us are giggling at the naughtiness of the unintended double entendre, some others are rolling their eyes and hoping some of us will grow up and get our minds out of the gutter.

In this case, I really, really, hope you do not side with the people who sneer at those whose minds are in the gutter, and who think they are too mature to address the double entendre, case in point. Please consider, seriously, that "nude erection" is the message the public will hear.

CHANGE IT!

First, this....:spray:...nude erection....:rofl:

We've been getting fucked big time by Bushco for six years. The last thing we need is a nude erection.

:rofl:

america has 2 choices:

End the War
or
Raise Taxes

the deficit is irresponsible & will weaken our country more surely than any trifling terrorist huddling in a cave on the other side of the planet.

Or if you have an opinion or any insight...

(And my apologies for how naive I'm about to appear in asking)

I'm a District Coordinator in N NV, and I'm currently working with a team, so far, of about 30+ people in my immediate team within the framework of Dean's 50 State Strategy. The info you posted is very pertinent to my Team's discussion right now, because it helps to hone our message (we are currently soliciting volunteers for our teams at the same time that we are canvassing our neighborhood voters for specific candidates and for the Dems in general). One of my goals as a District Coordinator who, overall, is responsible for over 12,500 voters, is to stay on message with the Democrats' goals.

So, my question is, how does this info which originates from Pelosi interface with Dean's plan and his message?

One of the reasons I ask is that, some time ago here on DU there were some posts about some rift between Pelosi and Dean (and Reid, if I recall), and I don't want my team's message clouded up here. On the face of it, it appears that there isn't anything in Pelosi's message that conflicts with Dean's message. I will likely use all of these talking points when discussing issues with my team and when trying to recruit volunteers and garner support for Dem voters in my area. (I'm also using some talking points from Kevin Spidel at PDA when meeting with my team members.) I was mostly just curious what your opinion (and others') is about the Pelosi/Dean thing in relation to their 'messages'. Thanks in advance for any insight you wish to impart to us novice volunteers in the trenches. :-)

I'm in Carson City and would love to volunteer. Please IM me with details. :hi:

I know they need volunteers in Carson.

because this platform should be voted to the top and spread far and wide. We simply have to run with this if we want to win in November. Of course there's this and the Howard Dean's DNC platform that he's been promoting in all 50 states.

Who says the Dems have no ideas?

Its a start.

Here it is in black and white. Will anyone in the media read the Democratic plan for a "New Direction"? What do you think?

I want every Democratic leader to get on TV and say: "Republicans have been driving the car for 5 years and have been in so many accidents, this country can't pay the insurance anymore. So now they think they deserve to keep the keys to the car. Not a chance. Democrats are taking the keys, and taking control. We're better drivers and we'll prove it".

:hi:

:) I really like it! :thumbsup: (maybe add they were driving drunk!!) :rofl:

good idea! Thanks, and I started a thread with it over here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1435970&mesg_id=1435970

:hi:

with the added bonus of having the word "right" in it, which may fool some of the more retarded sheeple.

Instead of scapegoating the innocent and those who are being wrongly accused by those in the Administration?

:kick:

let them use it, vote in November, seems like the right is starting the propaganda now before November, they care more about their party than the citizens of this country.

You know with the pigs...winning is EVERYTHING!!
Fuck the truth!! What the hell is that?? :sarcasm:

;)

'New Direction' is new theme for Democratic plan

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2337091

maybe I missed it on the list, tho.

they can say whatever the hell they want. sure, sounds great, but most of us know this won't add up to anything of substance. color me with the cynic crayon.

the bankruptcy bill and many other distastefull things passed with too many yeahs from the demo side and that has got Nothing to do with media coverage.

...until the ostriches take their heads out of the sand.

on the other hand, are they really ostriches? i have yet to hear a reasonable explanation as to why the party, in general, is not dealing with this issue. it smacks of complicity. and yes, i know it doesn't make any sense, but the question still needs to be answered--why isn't the party, as a whole, up in arms about election tampering?

Or are they just going to ignore Iraq war?

(edited typo... my fingers aren't so nimble anymore!)

:shrug:

Maybe it's to 'hot' to add to the agenda? To devisive?
I don't know what they're thinking either.
I mean if you are listening to C-Span right now and the Iraq debate, why not put it in the plan?
:shrug:

but the Dems need to SAY so! And they need to say it loud and clear, and they need to KEEP saying it! Catapult the effing propaganda!

"Stay the Course" is absolutely the WORST campaign slogan the Repukes could possibly come up with (if it is in fact their campaign slogan), because most Americans are sick to death of "the Course" And the Dems need to capitalize on that. It won't be difficult at all, provided they have the guts to say it loud and clear.

not a major shift. not a bold statement.

The United States of American will be "The North American Union".

Ask the Democrats about that which is already in place!

Without election reform(which will not happen) welcome to your new fascist country.

:kick:

Good job, btw. I like this.

What an excellent "New Direction" for our party's aggressive agenda. I look forward to printing this out, and spreading it around.

P.S. Will, it's great to see your posting here. This is getting one serious :kick: from this Will Pitt & Truthout supporter!

We should learn these like the back of our hands so we can quickly and effectively spread the message.

silly me. I must've been thinking of those other progressives.

not a word about . . .

- ending the war in Iraq
- the policy of pre-emptive war
- undue corporate influence in government
- ensuring clean elections
- re-opening the 9/11 investigation to examine ALL the evidence
- use of depleted uranium and other heinous weapons
- prohibiting torture and rendition
- protecting civil rights and civil liberties
- protecting the environment

in other words, the most critical issues . . . all of which the vast majority of Americans, if asked, would strongly support . . .

if we want a "New Direction," we're gonna have to do a helluva lot better than this . . .

Put republican criminal conspirators in jail for a conspiracy to commit war based on lies

Universal healthcare

Impeach the entire Bush administration for torture, spying on Americans, rigging of elections and the cover-up of these and many other crimes against America

Pass laws that hold corporations accountable for taxes

Stop funding fake wars and fund education and the rebuilding of America's manufacturing infrastructure.

I heard Pelosi on Ed Schultz yesterday breathlessly revealing the Dem agenda, and I was underwhelmed.
"Increase access to healthcare"...Sounds like they are going to meekly ask doctors to keep their offices open an extra few minutes a day.

The agenda they are putting forward sounds like it was drafted by DLCers who checked with the Bush Crime Family first to make sure it didn't offend anybody.

in the course of the debate with all of the strident rhetoric attached.

Pelosi: Democrats Want to Take America in a New Direction Wed Jun-14-06
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=67567


Reid: Contracting Reform Should Be a Priority for the Senate
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=67562

REID: PRESIDENT BUSH STILL MUST OFFER A STRATEGY FOR IRAQ
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
http://reid.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=257027&&year=2006&

Specimenfred1984 tells it!
I wish my party would sign on to a real new direction.
The official New Direction is to suck slightly less than the current loathed regime.

AMERICA DOESN'T BACK DOWN
AMERICA BRINGS DEMOCRACY TO OTHER NATIONS
AMERICA IS BEST AND STRONGEST
MESS WITH US AND YOU WILL BE BLOWN OFF THIS EARTH

Those are the issues that will get the votes for Republicans. Doesn't matter at all that it's just hot air. It's hot air that warms your selfish, cheating heart!


So how will ...

"Increase science research, ensure the teaching of evolution, increase funding for community colleges."
and
"Enact tax changes to benefit entrepreneurs."

compete with ...

WE ARE THE BEST, STRONGEST AND KINDEST COUNTRY EVER IN HUMAN HISTORY BUT DON'T MESS WITH US OR YOU WILL DIE!!




If this is the best the Democrats can do ... hell, we DESERVE TO LOSE!!

and a Nude Erection, how can ya lose?:eyes:

I see what you are saying. Democrats need to reach the more average, basic people with emotion for their territory and a promise of force.

That's all good, but, the average, basic people are also hurting economically! Gas prices, the good jobs are disappearing, health care costs, my credit sucks because of identity theft, etc. That's money lost.

Money going where? To the Oil Industries, and to the Military Industrial Complex!

Hammer that home.
Believe me, $$$ money $$$ gets average Americans to sit up and pay attention.

"Money going where? To the Oil Industries, and to the Military Industrial Complex! "

In the form of our tax money, and tax breaks for the wealthy (let's all be charitable to Paris Hilton), and unfair advantages, such as having a U.S. President in your pocket (Oil industry), or having a Vice President in your pocket (Military Industrial Complex).

And, lobbyists like Jack Abramoff don't help average Americans either.

they might to some republican, but Americans are signaling that they're not buying the macho appeals to fear. They want to know what their congressperson is going to do for THEM. The jingoistic hype has run its course.

I might not have been clear.

We need claims, TRUE claims that have the same emotional impact.

We shouldn't tell all the details we are going to do, just hit the
overall result.

WE WILL KEEP AMERICAN FREEDOMS FROM BEING DESTROYED.

That is the overall message we should be saying.

the republican War Party has been trying to sell.

"Focus national security strategy to nation's borders, increase port security."

"Enact funding recommendations of the 9/11 Commission."

How are they going to do all that if they don't reverse the Bush tax cuts?

And it seems to me that they will be called on that. They will be faced with the choice of either having to admit that they will "raise taxes" to accomplish these things or reduce spending drastically in some other area. I think that they need to be prepared to answer how they will do that. And it seems to me that reversal of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy is by far the best place to start. I think that needs to be added to the agenda.

. . . party leaders are treading carefully so as not be cast as the party of tax hikes. Rather than pledging to reverse the Bush tax cuts they so despise, they are trying to sound fiscally responsible by embracing a rule that helped Congress maintain budget discipline in the 1990s.

The pay-as-you-go rule, known as PayGo, also could erect an insurmountable hurdle to extending much of the Bush tax cuts beyond their scheduled expiration in 2010. But one thing PayGo won't do is to force Congress to come to terms with the unsustainable increases already built into our entitlement programs.

Congress would "examine other tax cuts enacted in 2001" and "maybe scale back some of the rate reductions" . . .

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ibd/20060518/bs_ibd_ibd/2006518general

super clear on Iraq (as people lay dying that's a cop out)

Where in the HELL do they get their PR/Marketing advice from? Public Relations 101 classes?

there were other policy pronouncements yesterday from Rep. Pelosi and Sen. Reid.

where do you get your information from?

something about returning to the world community and giving up war as a means for economic hegemony. But then again, I'm out of touch with the new America.

Pelosi: Democrats Want to Take America in a New Direction

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

“Nowhere is the need for a New Direction for America more obvious than in Iraq. Certainly, the most important is the loss of life; we passed 2,500 lives lost, and nearly 20,000 have been injured, half of them permanently. We also face the loss of our reputation in the world and the loss of our strength in terms of our military capability to protect our security. But, what about the money?

“As to the cost of reconstruction -- $9 billion is unaccounted for. The American people deserve to know how their tax dollars are spent and if it’s in furtherance of the goals as stated by the Bush Administration.

“This New Direction of fiscal soundness, pay-as-you-go, audit the books is the guiding principle. Under that, we say that our troops must be provided a future worthy of their sacrifice. While they’re fighting, what’s happening here at home?

“Health insurance costs have gone up 70 percent under the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress – six million more Americans do not have coverage. The cost of gasoline has nearly doubled in the five years of the Bush Administration – up to $3 a gallon. Tuition for higher education has increased enormously, yet the Bush Administration has taken us in the wrong direction, cutting $12 billion in assistance for higher education. And the purchasing power of middle-income families’ wages has been greatly reduced under the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress.

“Democrats want to take us in a different direction. Energy, minimum wage, health care, higher education, fiscal soundness – this is the New Direction in which we want to take our country. It meets the needs of the American people; it respects their concerns, their aspirations, their hopes, their dreams, and their challenges. But we must do it in a fiscally sound way.

“A New Direction from where we are now, but it is a direction we were going in during the 90s producing record surpluses. If we had stayed the course we would be debt-free as a nation by 2008. Instead, this Bush Administration and Republican Congress are taking us deeply in debt and they can’t even account for the money. Thank you.”

http://www.house.gov/pelosi/press/releases/June06/NewDirection.html

but there is no information.

in debate and discussion. This is a blueprint, an unveiling.

Stay tuned, and contact the Democratic leadership directly with your concerns.

http://www.house.gov/pelosi

pdf of A New Direction for America:
http://www.democraticleader.house.gov/pdf/NewDirection.pdf

with the dems up for chairs of important committees. I know also, there will be dems that will oppose those chairpersons who want real inquiry and change (which is my real concern) and may join the repukes in attempts to stop them. I also know the hard right controls most of the court system.

Being united and strong and avoiding mix messages and confusing signals...like the way Jeff Parker expressed in his cartoon. It's so true...Thanks William, you all have a good weekend Democrats! :hi:

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=columnists0204

I'm sure this won't offend too many voters. It won't excite too many either.

1) "New direction" sounds like what independents have swimming in their heads... "we need a new direction". It's good to say what most people are thinking, even if it is simple.

2) Independents see the Republicans as having gone too far. As long as the Dem candidates don't "say or do something stupid", indepedents by and far will vote Democratic.

3) Dems should outline strategies to encourage small business development. With a lot of the corporate jobs disappearing, we're going to have to work somehow. The answer to independents by and large is STARTING A BUSINESS. Be pro-small business and pro-entrepreneur.

4) Make the campaign simple. "Republicans corrupt. Democrats clean."

There's your strategy!

"don't fuck up" would be 100% better than the Republicans' proven track record.

I think the idea has legs. I think it will be very interesting to Independents, and as most of us know, it is the Independent Swing Voters who really control the elections.

I also want to point out that there is nothing in the agenda about implementing more gun control. I also think that is a good idea as well.

As Democrats, we need to stand up for the ENTIRE Bill of Rights.

They are good solid issues, to be sure, but where's the "oomph?" I wish there was at least one idea in there that made me think "Holy cow! How did we not think about doing that before? Brilliant!"

And news of Iraq is sorely missing. Some may take comfort from the innuendo about 'focusing national security strategy to our nation's borders,' but I'd prefer something with a little more teeth than that on one of the biggest issues facing the country.

"Cut & Run" etc... Or from our prospective it might be, for our troops to, "Stay & Die" instead? Republican's quick spin, slogans, sound bytes for campaigns & the talking heads, are so incredibly effective, republicans know this. Not long winded Kerry explanations... though valid, no one remembers, certainly not the talking heads who mimic only the sound bites...The necessary points have to be made quickly that's how the more than 80% who watch & listen get their own personal opinion, Limbaugh and the rest thrive on it..."Gray Out" (Dem Gray Davis)...it worked for them.

With only a minority of voters voting, and the republican owned MSM against us, it's more necessary than ever!

Read....... "It's Not Enough To Be Right - What Progressives Can Learn From Conservative Success" By Paul Walden (MediaMatters.org)

But don't kid yourself that it's a wonderful plan, or even a sufficient one.

First off, obviously: nothing on Iraq, including ongoing torture and murder. Nothing on illegal NSA spying or the Patriot Act (even if just fine-tuning of that fascist piece of legislation). Nothing on the "war on terror" and how it should be a POLICE ACTION and not a WAR.


"Negotiate lower prescription-drug prices with pharmaceutical companies for Medicare's drug program." - Are they kidding? What possible incentive does Big Pharma have to voluntarily reduce prices?


"increase access to healthcare" - still no universal health care, even though a strong majority of Americans support it.


"Cut student-loan interest rates by half." - or we could treat education as a RIGHT and not a privilege, and fund it for all who can and wish to further their education.


"Ensure access to family planning methods and abortion, fund infant and child-care." - Tell that to Blanco, who just betrayed womens' civil rights.


"Increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour, increase employment benefits." - This is a FUCKING INSULT. There are city-mandated minimum wages higher than this, and of course there's nothing about indexing wages to inflation.


"Enact funding recommendations of the 9/11 Commission." - Even those that further restrict civil rights?


"Institute lobbying reform" - Right. Corporatists are going to institute lobbying reform.


"Focus national security strategy to nation's borders" - in other words, keep the mexicans out. :eyes:


That's just some of my disgust. This is the BEST they can do? Really? Do they WANT to lose?

EDIT: Oh, and of course, bupkis about clean elections. Maybe they DO want to lose!