I think we should target American women and youngsters as our

[KlatooBNikto]

natural constituencies.When it comes to issues affecting women, we are on their side while the Republicans are constantly demonizing them, degrading them as though they cannot make decisions affecting their own bodies,and what is worse, making policies that affect the health and welfare of their children. We need to make it a major part of our effort to reach out and say what are the things we stand for on issues about women.

The second issue is about our youngsters. With the assault on science
( creationism,intelligent design and other gobbledygook), they are being put at a disadvantage by diehard religious nuts.Their careers and financial future is being sacrificed to make political points. We need to go to high schools and other young people's forums to educate them on what is in store for them if these crazies are allowed to bring their Lysenkoism into education.

These two constituencies will balance the edge the Republicans have on white male voters over us, especially in the South. This plus our natural constituencies of blacks, Hispanics, Jews, Asians and other minorities will put us over the top.

[REP]

1. What About The Women Who Don't Have/Want Children?

Are we going to keep writing them off?

44% of US women between the ages of 15 and 44 do not have children (source: US census). We cannot afford to keep assuming that woman = mother. That alienates a lot of women who have their own problems that have nothing to do with being a mother. How about focusing on equal pay for equal work; equal educational and employment opportunities and healthcare, independent of reproductive status? That's a bigger tent that covers more people.

[SheilaT]

2. Not to mention the men

who don't have or want children.

those with children are not the natural enemies of those without. Moms who work outside the home are not the natural enemies of those who don't. Our entire culture seems based on an adversarial model, in which one side must be the right one and "win" whatever the debate is. The assumption is that it's all a zero sum game. In my opinion it's not.

[KlatooBNikto]

4. I agree. My point was that we are the ones who have empathy for women in

all situations. The Republicans want to control women.That is something we want to shout about.

[KlatooBNikto]

3. Good point. I am all for it.