We must offer a Democratic alternative....

[kentuck]

It is not enough to simply criticize the Republicans. We must present a plan that contrasts sharply with Bush and the Repubs. We cannot continue on the present path that the Republicans have taken us. We must change course.

We cannot continue to spend billions of dollars more than we are taking in. There is no free lunch. Average Democrats and Republicans across this country understand that. We cannot continue to spend as if there is no tomorrow. We must offer a plan to bring these deficits down.

We should propose that we return to the same tax structure that Bill Clinton had during his tenure, at least on the top incomes of this nation. Yes, they can say we want to raise taxes if they wish. But there is no free lunch and the people know it.

We should offer an alternative to save Social Security also. By raising the income ceiling to $200,000, we can save about 70% of the money that Bush and the Repubs want to change in their SS plan. Also, we should propose that every penny that is borrowed from the SS fund must be repaid. It is not going to be written off. We must hold the Repubs feet to the fire on that issue. It is they that have spent the bulk of the Social Security fund - mostly due to their taxbreak for the wealthy. Although both Parties have spent the monies of the SS fund, Republicans have spent far more than the Democratic presidents. Just a fact.

Also, we should offer an alternative to the war in Iraq. We should propose that we start pulling our troops out of that country as soon as possible after the elections. It is up to the Iraqi people to save their country, in the final analysis. It is not worth the lives that are being wasted in that ill-advised invasion.

Those three issues would be a good place for Democrats to start. It is not good enough to simply sit back and criticize or play defense. We must present a more sane policy to the American people in order to not only save our Party, but to save our country. We can wait no longer.

[autorank]

1. These are all excellent and they'll sell.

When Republicans from NC start calling for the troops to return, it's more than time for Democrats to do the same.

I like all of these points. When we get a Chairman who can tell our legislators how to think, you know draw big pictures for them, we should be in better shape.

[Pepperbelly]

2. This is a very important development right here. Just heard on Mac Grp

Three Democratic billionares ... Sorkos and two others I didn't recognize ... a couple from California and a fellow from Ohio, got together, ran all their functionaries and pilot fish away, met and pledged up to 100 million bucks to get the left wing intelligensia fired up and operating.

That is GREAT news, IMO. We have had nothing resembling the jaugernaut of rightwing think tanks which churn out the rotten garbage we have had thrust upon us. This is a wonderful root move for these guys.

[kentuck]

3. But it's not money that we are deficient in....

it's ideas and the the courage to put them forward.