*THE Democratic Plan for America* (because we need it)

[Protagoras]

I can't believe the number of times I've seen some version of the statement "Republicans may be screwing up but the Democrats seem to have no plan at all".

And the responses to it are feeble at best. Not because Democrats don't have positions, we do. But what we don't have is a solid omnibus answer that can be pointed to, followed, and echoed. SOMETIMES the party platform can serve. Sometimes the head of the DNC or the presidential nominee publishes something.

I remember Bill Clinton's Putting People First back in 1992, and certainly can't forget Earth in the Balance by Al Gore. I remember that Tsongas also published a heck of a tract back when he was running.

But somehow that art seems to have been lost or diminished to the point where we are no longer seeing it. The internet can be pointed to as a source of Democratic thought, but as GD demonstrates, even the best ideas are easily shoved down and washed away in the daily flood of outrage, scandal, and trivia that we hop to from moment to moment.

So here is my proposal. We build an official DEMOCRATIC PLAN FOR AMERICA. Perhaps it really starts here...perhaps the DNC pens it and Howard Dean shoves it down the throats of Joe L and Joe B and the rest of the tepid crowd who can't seem to speak loud enough or clear enough when challenged. Maybe Clark and Murtha can put their names to the bottom as well.

And in the end we have 1 book, 1 pamphlet, 1 circular, whatever we call it, that defines THE DEMOCRATIC PLAN for the next decade. Then the call goes out and every democratic candidate and congresspeople know, with absolute certainty what the party line is. That doesn't mean we can't disagree amongst ourselves, but in the end those are our subjective opinions. The Democratic Party though would have A PLAN. Then we're above board. Then we have a united voice. Then we know who is on OUR TEAM and who isn't. Those will be the club rules, and you accept it or you move on in regards to the central issues.

I'm not nearly confident enough to think I can write this document (though I bet Will could). But, I can certainly get the ball rolling. Lets begin with a list of issues we want to be included. I'm in favor of a small number like 12 (we can debate it for a while but in the end we decide and are done with it). And we may debate each issue for a brief time but at the end we MUST have a consensus..not unanymonity, but enough democratic agreement that we can say YEP that's the rule and be done.

The goal is to have something that is Brief, Clear, Accessable, and above all Relevant. But above that we must have an agenda that WINS. There are hundreds of issues that we could try and BEAT them on but we must focus to WIN. Here are the issues I suggest.

PLANKS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PLAN FOR AMERICA 2006-2016:

1. Iraq: Unity behind the Murtha plan. Is it as pure and absolute as some would like? No, but it is a plan and it is the best that we are likely to get. We adopt it as OUR position as a PARTY and move on it. Let the American public know that the Democrats will get them OUT of this civil war.

2. Raise the Minimum wage and restore the balance to worker rights. (suggested below) Made in America and Union YES!

3. The War on Terror: Cease calling it a war. No war was declaired. You can only have war on a nation, you can't have a war on a tactic. You can try to stem the tide of desperate, fanatical people who want to break the law and attack us. This means butter not guns. This means a long term view of economic and social equality that isn't brought about by invasion. Zero tolerance for those who attack us. But we must distinguish between War with nations, and Crimes of individuals or groups. If we don't act like the world's policeman or bully, the world will come to our aid. Count the Casualties on Both sides...realize that our collateral damage = their future recruits. Make military actions against Terrorists specific, and subject to frequent re-authorization. Eliminate large scale Administrative spending and require specific military budgeting for such actions.

4. Homeland Security: Begin with security that seperates itself from violations of civil rights. Repeal, rename, and rewrite the PATRIOT ACT. Secure the requirements of the FISA Court. Establish open rules for spying. Establish STRONG Congressional and Judicial oversight. Majorly Bump up funding for Police and other first responders, inspect all the port containers. Do it with American Companies. Revamp airline security at the cockpit. Stop stripsearching old women. It's time to keep our shoes and shirts on and stop living in a state of fear about every child with nail clippers. If we make the planes secure in the drivers seat and we give military jets CLEAR AND OBVIOUS ORDERS in the case of airspace violations, rapid response, etc...we won't have to freak out once a week when someone pops the cork on their first class champagne.

5. The Debt. Reverse the Bush tax cuts. Between that and removing ourselves from Iraq we will see a massive economic shift back toward sanity. Beyond that we impliment a simplification of our tax system that eliminates CORPORATE TAX LOOPHOLES. Ron Widen has a decent plan along these lines that he's pedalling, perhaps we can look at it.

6. Transparency and Honesty in Government: Clarify process and eliminate the kind of secret decision making that has allowed Cheney to so easily climb into bed with Enron and their ilk. And end to the hypocracy and increased standards of competancy for appointees. Create SANE sealing orders and standardize them. Remove presidential protections once out of office. People say if I'm not doing something wrong I shouldn't mind being spied on. Well I do but I"M NOT ELECTED TO THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND". Make it a requirement that THE PRESIDENT has to edure the scrutiny of the nation. Period. If we can't do it openly and honestly at that level then we shouldn't be doing it as a Country.

7. Global Warming/Oil: Drastically increase national CAFE Standards and place environmental impact taxes on SUVs and low efficiency vehicles. Use economic and educational efforts to come completely on board with hydrogen, solar power, etc.. An apollo project for changing our means of transportation and fuel use. Become a world partner in the reduction of greenhouse gases. Support international efforts of third world countries to increase environmental awareness and compliance.

8. Heathcare: Universal Healthcare. We can debate the specifics, but we can no longer view healthcare as anything other than a universal human right.

9. Education: End Every Child Left Behind. It's time to revamp this program and then FUND whatever program we do come up with. Do not use a punitive system that requires the abandonment of artistic and creative thought in favor of teaching to the test. Increase the lifetime learning credit. Incrase Headstart and RIF programs. Restore Pell Grants and increase national teaching scholarships. Provide greater tax incentives to go to state schools.

10. Immigration: I'm tempted to leave this one off the list but I don't believe it's going to go away as a national hot button anytime soon. I do not have THE answer. But I believe we must come together behind the best compromise we can get. It's not an ideal world, and we won't have an ideal solution...but we must offer A solution that is workable and which reduces economic harm while respecting HUMAN rights.

11. The Trade Gap/offshoring: It's time to penalize US companies that betray the US economic interest. Tariffs on imports that are predatory and massive tax sanctions for companies that incorporate offshore to avoid laws/taxes. Fair import/export protections.

12. Restoration of the Fairness Doctrine and Elimination of Corporate Personhood and increase the penalties for white collar crime that has massive economic and social impact.

*************

Beyond these twelve we say "Yes those issues are important and here is MY position" but it isn't part of the DEMOCRATIC PLAN...why? Because that becomes neverending. But if we keep on point we can win. And our win is everyone's win, even if they don't yet realize it.

[Nimrod2005]

1. Excellente Senor, at least you had the courage

plus, I like all your points.

[sandnsea]

2. Maybe something like this

A Ten-Point Plan

(1) Obey the law, and Protect civil rights in this country.

(2) Tell the truth, and tell it to Americans all the time.

(3) Fire the incompetents, and Restore competence and integrity to Washington.

(4) Chase the money changers from the temples of democracy, and
reclaim it for the grassroots of this nation.

5) Bring our troops home from Iraq.

(6) Find Osama bin Laden, and Secure our ports and homeland.

(7) Stop subsidizing “Big Oil,” and start investing in energy alternatives.

(8) Make access to affordable healthcare a right and not a privilege.

(9) Reduce the deficit, and Respect work over wealth.

(10) Invest in education, and Fight for American jobs that restore the American dream.

[leftstreet]

3. Was your #2 raising the minimum wage?

Good work, by the way.

[Protagoras]

4. Good catch, I'm a victim of cut/paste

and I think that's an excellent #2. Raise the Min wage and Restore Worker rights/Unions. but I keep thinking I originally wrote something else. The hazards of stream of consciousness.

[leftstreet]

5. ...

"hazards of stream of consciousness"

:)

I hear ya there!

[WilliamPitt]

6. I'm working on this right now

I had a meeting a couple of weeks ago with several members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and their staffers. Got a whole file folder full of policy ideas and issues. I intend to craft this into a plan that addresses all the issues we face across the board, and see if I can't help move the pile a bit. Hopefully it'll be done next week.

[Protagoras]

8. Thanks from us all Will!

I can't wait to see the product!

[O.M.B.inOhio]

7. Most excellent! I hereby appoint you Dem Party Chairman (& Dean President)

An excellent set of ideals, goals & values. Tactful not to include abortion in Dem platform. I'd leave off immigration. One might add some things.

Limited Government / Sufficient Government: reiterating that powers not expressly granted the Fed belong to States. So if California wants to permit abortion or do extra to curb climate change or have high standards regarding organic food standards, God bless them. And others would be wise to follow suit. Homosexuality, atheism, evolutionism are not to be squashed by the Fed. Neither is left-handedness or love of opera. Now, if Kansas wants to embrace creationism, that's permitted, too; their polity can choose to produce citizens qualified to manufacture sneakers at rates competitive with Malaysia, if they choose.
That said, the collective will and rights of all Americans can achieve some public goods that raw market forces cannot. The regulatory act of removing lead from paint and gasoline, for instance, continues to save babies from brain damage! Government does have a legitimate role and duty to public health and security that cannot be shirked in favor of industry self regulation.

Legitimate Elections: Elections are a public / civic event. The pressures of an impatient press and public used to instant gratification will not trump the government's responsibility to count every vote correctly (and only once). Electronic voting is out. Communities vote on paper ballots which are observed throughout the entire 1-3 day counting and reporting process. The process in each precinct may be observed by representatives from other communities and is recorded on tape and webcast. It is a great civic event that brings communities into politics in a very real way. International observers are to be welcome. The process must be transparent, not invisible.

Right to Work: A citizen willing to work for a reasonable wage must have an opportunity to work. The CCC camps of the FDR era produced bridges, erosion control, National Forests...

Environment: Environmentalism is not all about weeping for owls, seals, and butterflies. It's about avoidable misery and disease. Communities washed out by flooding downstream of strip mines, salmon industry destroyed by careless logging, children dying of cancer. It's about allowing people to make a living and fulfill their human potential. The Government has a job that involves protecting citizens from ills that result from irresponsible practices. Some business entities say, "We can't compete when there are environmental & human rights regulations." It's like a hockey team complaining that they can't win if there's no highsticking. That's the terms for doing business with the people of the Unites States of America.

And, most importantly,... oh, I forgot. Curse you, Two-Buck Chuck!

[NMMNG]

9. K&R

:thumbsup:

[OneBlueSky]

10. I believe there should be a Preamble to this platform . . .

one that articulates three principles that the party solemnly promises the American people it will adhere to . . . ALWAYS! . . .

1) Telling the Truth -- ALWAYS!

2) Upholding the Rule of Llaw -- ALWAYS!

3) Government OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, and FOR THE PEOPLE -- ALWAYS!

we MUST let the American people know, right up front, that we are SERIOUS -- about the truth, about the law, and about the people -- and that our underlying philosophy of government represents the best and most treasured of "traditional American values" . . . the same values that 99.9% of Americans believe to be the foundation of our democracy . . . (the most important of these pledges, btw, is the first -- because we can't possibly solve problems if we don't honestly and truthfully identify and articulate them -- rather than propagandizing that they either aren't serious or don't exist) . . .

the Republicans won't (indeed, CAN'T) make these pledges -- given that they've spent the past five years violating them . . .

the Democrats, therefore, MUST . . . (difficult though it may be for our more entrenched "leaders") . . .

[Protagoras]

11. I do think a preamble is very important

and it should embody the spirit of these things. Maybe we need our own Declaration of Independence from corrupt government and neoconservativism.

[hootinholler]

12. There should only be one mighty plank:

Returning the rights of We the People. Full Stop. Simple. To the point. We can fix the rest together.

Allow me to set a frame. Those who have absconded with our rights are merely the residue not cleansed by prior efforts. A mildew sown in the microbial cracks in the National grout, which unnoticed, has grown back with a vengeance.

Consider the spores were cast during the McCarthy years. Pappy Bush (Nazi banker and U.S. Senator- WTF?) gets Poppy Bush (GHWB) posted into the CIA. Meanwhile after McCarthy, the government looks pretty clean as we move into the 60's, but, one man notices a small discoloration and leaves the message to take care of it. That man would be Ike talking about the Military-Industrial collusion (MIC).

Poppy was apparently helping out during the Bay of Pigs as the older PNAC members are either mid level Govies or fast risers in the MIC. Not sure what they all did under Johnson, but a whole bunch of them were Nixon's facilitators and Ford's go-to Guys.

I could go on through recent history: Reagan, Iran-Contra, pardons, S&L bailout, ..., but that would be besides the point of this post. The point being that when it's over, when we've won, we're going to need some industrial strength acids to rid the government of this fungus.

Anyway, there is one and only one plank I demand: My Rights! All else pales.

-Holler

[GuvWurld]

13. Transparency and Honesty must start with elections

There must be something included about elections, even if you encompass it under your existing transparency and honesty item. In truth, elections over-arch and encompass everything on the list but I'm not trying to trigger a debate about that. I appreciate the premise of what you are trying to do. Consensus building is where it is at. Run with what you've got but please include acknowledgment that secret vote counting by private corporations (by anyone, really) undermines the concept of democracy. Any leaders who emerge without making this a core platform item are only perpetuating our broken system and do not deserve our support or loyalty.

We Do Not Consent

[quiet.american]

14. Good job. Please also check out the DNC site.

The DNC has put together points of action, and I believe the more familiar we are with these points, the more we can reel off what our party DOES stand for, and spread the Democratic message.

http://dnc.org/agenda.html

• Keeping America Safe at Home
  
• Strength Overseas
  
• Honoring Our Troops, Veterans, and Their Families
  
• A Strong Economy
  
• Education
  
• Retirement Security
  
• Affordable Health Care
  
• Honest Government
  
• Election Reform
  
• Protecting Our Environment
  
• Civil Rights

The Dean's short list:

• Honest Leadership and Open Government
  
• Real Security
  
• Jobs in America that will Stay in America
  
• A Strong Public Education System
  
• A Healthcare System that Works for Everyone

[msgadget]

20. I'm not familiar with the short list, does he say

which jobs will stay in America or how the democratic party will achieve that? Does he specifically define what a healthcare system that works for everyone looks like? I'm asking because we're so desperate and things that look good on paper or sound good from a lectern don't always carry as much substance as we attribute to them and I desperately want to believe the democrats are willing to go all the way.

[quiet.american]

32. Yes, however, as party chairman, Dean can only go so far.

When Howard Dean was a candidate, he was prepared to go in depth on practically any issue, but now it's up to the Democratic candidates to put forth the meat-and-potatoes of the Democratic vision.

For example, I picked two candidates at random, and this is what is currently on Sherrod Brown's (D-Ohio) website:

• Economy : Fight the exportation of American jobs, especially in Ohio, reward corporations that create jobs at home, invest in small business, make trade fair to protect workers in America and abroad.
  
  
• Iraq : An early and outspoken opponent of the war, supports an exit strategy with significant withdrawal of troops starting in October 2006.
  
  
• Education : The federal government must fully fund No Child Left Behind, invest more in Pell Grants so that all Americans who want to attend college have the opportunity.
  
  
• Seniors : Bring down the high costs of prescription drugs by allowing the government to negotiate bulk purchases with pharmaceutical companies. Opposes privatization of social security and Medicare.

And here's what's on Amy Klobuchar's (D-Minnesota) website in regard to the area of healthcare --

The priorities in Washington need to change. As your U.S. Senator, here's what I'll fight for:

• I will fight for policies that crack down on the price of health care. I will insist that our government negotiate lower prices with pharmaceutical companies. The administration and Congress made a big mistake in the prescription drug bill when they banned the federal government from negotiating with the big drug companies to get the best prices for our seniors. We should also aggressively fight health care fraud; push for a fair Medicare reimbursement system that doesn't leave Minnesota at the end of the line; and work to reduce administrative costs.
  
  
• I will fight to expand health care coverage for more Minnesotans and Americans, with universal coverage as our goal. As a first step towards that goal, I will push the federal government to work with the states to make sure that all children are insured and have access to basic preventive care and immunizations.
  
  
• I will fight to improve the quality of health care in America. In many ways, we already enjoy the very best quality of care in the world -- for those who have access and can afford it. But controlling health care costs doesn't mean we have to sacrifice quality. Along with excessive administrative costs, research indicates that as much as 30% of medical spending does not improve a patient's health or satisfaction. We should use new technology to make patient care better and less expensive through the use of electronic medical records and access to research data so health care providers have at their fingertips all the information they need to do their job. By measuring quality, carefully monitoring patient conditions and disseminating research data about best practices, we not only can cut costs, we should be able to improve treatments and avoid dangerous medical errors.
  
  So, yes, I think the answer to your question is that there are definitely specific ideas from our party candidates out there and the more I spend time looking into them, the more I feel there may be hope for this country yet. :)

[msgadget]

33. I really, really appreciate that!

I love real plans even when I don't agree with them 100%! Don't you love plans? And, thanks for reminding me that Dean, in his current capacity, has some limitations and that regionally candidates will be explicite and most likely different. I tend to cautiously agree, in various regions throughout the country candidates are taking firm stands. Ya gotta love it and it's certainly encouraging. The major papers concentrate on national issues (which is depressing) but we are being heard locally.

May I be a little optimistic here and say I see a glimmer of a sliver of a result of steady pressure from the populace? :bounce:

[quiet.american]

34. :) Cheers! n/t

[Poiuyt]

15. Excellent! Thanks for your hard work

I also like Dean's "short list" in Quiet.american's post above. There's something about keeping things short and simple for the average Joe.

[Poiuyt]

16. Robert Reich had a plan last year too

The New Covenant with America (Democrat Contract With America)
by Robert B. Reich


1. Competence. We promise America a competent government headed by people with expertise and experience. We will never appoint or confirm cronies whose main qualification for office is personal connection or party loyalty.

2. Fiscal responsibility and a capital budget. We will get the federal budget back under control by barring special spending (pork to political loyalists back home) and corporate welfare (subsidies to particular industries like agribusiness, oil, and pharmaceuticals). We will create a national capital budget so that federal construction money never again goes to bridges to nowhere in Alaska and instead goes to stronger levees in New Orleans.

3. Fighting terrorism and getting out of Iraq. We will fight terrorism with a strong military and with economic investments and aid for poor nations that are often the breeding grounds for terrorism. But we will withdraw American troops from Iraq. As even our generals now tell us, our presence there is incubating new terrorists and fomenting anti-Americanism around the world.

4. Ending torture and respecting the rule of law. We will respect the Geneva Conventions. We will never condone torture or keep people imprisoned indefinitely without due process of law.

5. Reducing oil dependence and greenhouse gases. We will reduce American dependence on oil and reduce global warming. By 2020, 20 percent of our energy will come from solar, wind, biomass, and other alternative sources. Also by 2020, America will utilize 20-percent less fuel than today.

6. Restoring the middle class. We will restore the growth of the American middle class and of middle-class incomes. Supply-side economics, which rewards the rich with generous tax breaks and tells us that the resulting economic growth will trickle down to everyone else, has proven a cruel hoax. Little or nothing is trickling down. A quarter of all the benefits of economic growth now go to the richest one-tenth of 1 percent of Americans. We are determined to reverse course.

7. A progressive tax code. The cost of making the nation's homeland secure against terrorism and natural disasters and of providing adequate health care and education -- without falling deeper into debt -- will require more federal revenue. Yet the middle class cannot afford more taxes. It's time for the rich to bear their fair share. We will impose a surtax of one-tenth of 1 percent per year on net worth in excess of $1 million and will roll back the administration's tax cuts for those earning more than $300,000 a year.

8. A minimum health-care wage. The cost of health insurance for the typical family is rising by double digits, while 46 million Americans are without insurance altogether. We will establish a simple minimum health-care wage offering basic health insurance -- one free checkup per year, five free medical visits, one free dental, choice of doctor or dentist limited to an approved list, free drugs up to $1,000 per year -- to any American wishing to join. The expected large scale of this program will give government bargaining leverage to get low prices from providers and drug companies.

9. Lifelong education through progressive vouchers and re-employment insurance. We will finance every K-14 student (that's right -- two years beyond high school) with a progressive voucher in an amount inversely related to family income. (This year, for example, it would range from $15,000 for students from families at or below the poverty line to $3,000 for students from families in the wealthiest 10 percent.) The vouchers could be used at any publicly certified school. In addition, we will turn the unemployment insurance system into a re-employment insurance system. Recipients will get job training, job-search assistance, and, if the new job pays less than the old, wage insurance paying half the difference for a year.

10. Maintain separation of church and state. We will never allow religion to dictate whether an individual must be kept on life support, young people can gain access to birth-control information or counseling, women will have the freedom to choose to terminate a pregnancy, research can be done on stem cells or any other potential scientific innovation, or public schools must teach nonscientific interpretations of sacred texts.

Robert B. Reich is co-founder of The American Prospect.

[msgadget]

19. #6 and #8 are very disappointing

#6 isn't even a plan, it's a complaint, and #8 is limited and tied to work. The rest of them are pretty good.

[Protagoras]

21. Then please, offer up two to insert

As clearly stated the outline above was to begin the discussion. And there were certainly be limitations. Honesty and transparency are not simply complaints they are fundamental values that are able to be enacted and enforced through legislation and administrative order. We should be able to come up with some solid ways to articulate that.

I'd start with a revamp and removal of many presidential sealings. Don't let Presidents hide their crimes for decades. Remove the cloak of secrecy that allows for behind closed door sessions with lobbyists, etc. But feel free to offer alternatives if you have em. That's part of our democratic process too.

[msgadget]

23. Okey dokey

First, I agree, transparency is HUGE. A dose of honesty from Washington could only benefit us all.

Second, I WAS contributing to the democratic process by criticizing these two ideas from Reich! :) What'd you think I was doing?

6. Corporatists have had their day and it hasn't worked out for the middle class. Without a strong middle class we are one of the third world countries our trade agreements were supposedly designed to enrich. We will begin by revisiting our membership in the WTO and every aspect of our trade agreements, particularly those that exclude human and labor rights and which infringe upon the sovereignty of the regions involved. A large government is a bulky one but more regulation on companies employing more than X employees should be considered, particularly as regards outsourcing and off-shoring. In particular, it is against the republic for companies to move to improve their SEC balance sheets. <something like this - the wording stinks, I'm open to suggestions>

8. Universal health care for every American citizen. Something basic like he proposes wouldn't be too bad and those who could afford it could buy extra coverage and those who couldn't - based on their income - would receive expanded coverage.

[Protagoras]

29. Thanks and my bad :D

apples and tricycles his list and my list...but in the end I just want "A List". I gotta turn off cable before my head explodes :P

[iconoclastNYC]

17. I think we need talking points to counter that argument

Only in right-wing conventional wisdom bizzaro world does "Not having a plan" = Corruption, and Incompetence and trashing of the constitution.

We all need to know how to knock down this "Democrats have no plan" talking point and refocus the conversation on the evils of Bush and his rubber stamp congress.

[msgadget]

18. Great work! #11 is fantastic

but I'd like to see even more attention on trade policies and our relationships around the globe.

Tariffs aren't the answer, re-examining US membership in the WTO is and so is rewriting NAFTA, FTAA, CAFTA (and any others I've forgotten or that we just don't know about). We've got to call our trading partners to task for imposing tariffs on our imports, get serious about intellectual property theft, stop playing around with currency valuations, oppose share price as a legitimate reason to 'increase productivity' via layoffs and offshoring and - here's a wild idea - no more multi-national status for any company.

[Protagoras]

22. I think a reversal and rewrite of both NAFTA and CAFTA

would be in our economic, environmental, AND political interests. Great idea to mention them specifically.

[msgadget]

24. I like what you've started

Doubtless there will be more than one version of the 'democratic vision' but we've got to be very clear about what WE want because we voters make up the party.

[Terran1212]

25. Sounds more like a Green plan

Good stuff, but will the CorporoDemocratic leaders embrace it?

I can see people like Kucinich and Sanders coming out in favor.

[Protagoras]

28. It's only a Green Plan if we abandon our party

to the Corporatists. And I'm simply not willing to do that. I'm here trying to make sure that both WINNER and LIBERAL remain in our party.

And listening to Howard Dean, John Edwards, Al Gore and even John Kerry lately I think I'm not alone. This isn't about absolutism or purity. This is about articulating a winning strategy and getting a cohesive voice IN the party behind it.

Sure some of MY points won't fly in the end but I suspect a lot of them will.

[Terran1212]

30. I wish any of those people supported our plan!

[sweetheart]

26. Thought you'd slip it in at number 12, eh.

Elimination of Corporate Personhood HA!

The democrats won't touch that with lead suit.

Are you blueskying a progressive straw man
that will never be adopted, so we can
worship communism in its pure form,
romanticise about atlantis in plato's republic.

Methnks you need fewer points if your serious.

like 1 point.

Democrats: a return to common sense, ending the
disruptive civil war bush has set in place with his
global blitzkrieg of war and state terrorrism these
past years.

FDR: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
Dems neend't get so bogged down in undeliverable
contracts at the moment... just run with the momentum
and we'll get back the house, then the corruption can
be challenged further and rolled back.

Pretty much everyone will agree behind closed doors
that your points are good, but they are impossible.
Since they are impossible,
then add "end the drugs war" as point 13, so we can
end the urban strife and prison state terrorism.

[Protagoras]

27. I'm don't see a 1 point plan being a Plan

and I don't see it winning a national election. Time and again successful Parties and campaigns have in fact used multi point plans to stay on task AND to answer critics who say they don't have CLEAR ideas. That's what this is trying to provide. You are probably right that right now the #12 won't get adopted anytime soon. HOWEVER,

I'm also a bit curious what outlook we can possibly have if, as you seem to be saying, all my points are "impossible".

Some have been done before. Many could be done again. And a Plan isn't a guarantee of Universal Success, but it's a damn sight better than doing nothing. And a 12 point plan is pretty moderate for most movement/platform/plans. Clinton/Gore had a 30 point plan if I remember right and I don't think it cost them that 1992 election. A 12 point plan seems fairly moderate *cough* in comparison.

Your 1 point is probably the most IMMEDIATE concern that we face, I agree. But the election is going to be about several issues, even if one dramatically stands above the rest. I think we benefit from having several bases covered well.

Also agree that ending the "war on drugs" should be done because it's absurd. That being said, I think that right now the issue isn't going to move votes over economics, terror, and heathcare.

But it's good to kick all the tires and see which ones are solid.

[sweetheart]

31. Are we telling the truth?

WIN! The plan is to win, the republicans are fuckups, and everybody knows it.
Point it out, say we can do better, because we CAN. We are going to take back
power sort on, you know it, i know it. The ripples in south america portend the
blowback against the republicans for their institutional incompetence and
financial mismanagement, warmongering and all.

Ya know, unless you put the legallization of cannabis in your platform, or the
promist to take a new path past criminalizations and filling the prisons with my
children and my friends children just to satisfy some puritain need to create
an patriarchal punishment state. There are some onry sub-elements in the ABB
coalition, and i'm betting on nevada. God bless the state of nevada if they can
see straight to lead the way.

The drugs war is the ugliest, long term civil war where we can't ever be at peace,
ever in our drugged up society. And its not worth wasting our whole lives on
what we already know is a failed policy.

So when are we telling the truth?

DEMS WIN!, do whatever and work with each other, trust the dems. There is a network
of trust, the vast majority of the american people are beyind making a change
for the better.

"Vote democratic, its a change for the better."

"Buck up, be optimistic, we can lick this thing."

I'm just saying that the straw man needs a more unifying simplicity,
like a "return to individual responsibility." Or an "end to the wars"
"caring for our own." The new deal has been broken, and an angry mob
is closer to the palace gate than they realize. A new new deal, and
some plain speakin' language of honest integrity...

People are really afraid for their security, not their military security,
but their health care in old age, their homes and their persons not
invaded, that their family will have medical care even if they die,
their economic security puts their homes at risk.

"Hello, my name is <zys>, member of congress, and i stand as a democrat
in this next election. I stand for a return to decency, real common sense,
an end to wars, and a reaching out to all people that, if in recent years
trust has been betrayed, that i hope we can overcome that now.

I know that people are very concerned about their security, their financial
wellbeing, how they are going to make ends meet when jobs get shorter and
shorter. I don't believe violence is solving any of our problems anymore.
We have become to quick to be angry, to quick to be violent.
...

..

heck, i'm no speech writer... but if that is any sketch"

The 12 points can wait until the presidency in 2008