Texas' New Senator Is Absolutely Terrified About His State Going Blue

[Swede Atlanta]

84. The only way they can keep that from happening is if......

They recognize that the demographics are changing and they identify those policies or core beliefs that are accessible in the new environment.

For example, I think there are a lot of voters that are concerned about the long term deficit but recognize that in the near-term it is imprudent to reduce expenditures. In fact it might be prudent to increase spending temporarily in the areas of education, job training and infrastructure as well as support for things like loan modifications, etc. At the same time they need to acknowledge that more revenue is needed. Come with an honest and sincere proposal for increasing revenue. Right now that MUST include allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire for the very wealthy. That means taxes for the uber-wealthy will increase somewhat. But leave the cuts in place for those people that will actually inject that savings directly into the economy through spending. The uber-wealthy don't create jobs with those cuts. They might buy a slightly larger boat or jet airplane but they don't increase their spending. They spend however they want anyway because of their relative wealth.

then lay out a plan for long-term deficit reduction. That should include a simplification of the tax code but not the "Fair Tax". It should include reducing or eliminating certain deductions. It must include a re-assessment of our national security and defense needs. The national security infrastructure has ballooned. I'm not suggesting an increase in expenditure and a focus on this area wasn't needed but do we need everything? Do we need to listen in on every phone call and read every e-mail? As Obama said in the debate we don't measure our security in the number of ships in the Navy but their capability and adaptation for the current threat environment. We must long-term reduce military spending.

Don't fight the ACA but rather promote those things that were originally conservative proposals. Continue to challenge and seek improvement in those areas that conservatives want. Obama never said there couldn't be changes but the underlying concept of giving everyone ACCESS to affordable health insurance and therefore healthcare is not negotiable.

What about stopping the culture wars? True conservatives want government out of people's personal lives. No one SUPPORTS abortion or wants it. But it should remain legal. Instead of battling so hard against abortion, conservatives could lay out proposals to provide young women with meaningful access to birth control and, in the event of a pregnancy, policies that ensure she and the baby get appropriate pre-natal care, that if she has to take time off from her job after delivery she has reasonable PAID maternity leave. Then ensure that she and the child have access to healthcare, that the child has a decent roof over its head, lives in a safe environment, has adequate food. Then that the child gets a decent "basic" education to position him/her for success. Give them a means to get higher education or job training. The list goes on and on.

Don't fight women's healthcare. Don't try to dictate what a gay man or lesbian can or cannot do. Support marriage equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Stop demeaning immigrants and non-whites. The demographics are changing. Come forward with meaningful proposals for dealing with our immigration challenges, not just "self-deportation".

Stop supporting the wealthy and Wall Street, carte blanche, a la Ayn Rand. They plan an important role in our economy but it cannot all be Wall Street and not Main Street.

Help American companies invest in R&D and to compete on the global stage.

Stop denigrating anyone that is not a "Christian" in your own view.

Okay..I'll stop ranting but the point is the party will NOT survive if it holds to its current Caucasian, patriarchal, Ayn-Randian policies. The populace has moved beyond that.

Even as a Democrat I would welcome them evolving over time. A democracy needs engagement between parties. One-party rule is disastrous. Even a small country like Sweden has 8 political parties represented in the Parliament.