What is the Democratic Plan? Insights.

[ACK]

Well tired of old line that the Dems have no plan?

Sure, I want Pelosi and the House Leadership to come up with a central document a Real Deal to borrow a Kerry phrase.

But its not like Nancy our Minority Leader has been completely silent.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/23/democrats.congress.ap/index.html

To summarize the key points I see.

A measure that would have allowed federal funding for new embryonic stem cell research.

Good one.

Education?
Ok what about funding HeadStart and restoring college funding and the whole thing of actually funding "No Child Left Behind"? That is in there.

Healthcare?
Democrats would try to make changes to the Medicare prescription drug benefit, requiring the government to negotiate lower prices with pharmaceutical companies

Nice.

Here is a nice meaty one that I will directly quote,
"Democratic-led judiciary committees would launch oversight hearings on the Justice Department's conduct of the war on terrorism, looking at everything from secret searches and wiretaps to how the FBI treats whistleblowers. Would-be Senate Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, says he also would hold hearings on abuse of terrorism detainees and on war profiteering."

One kind of blah spot is the environment,
"Democrats' environmental agenda would include investigation of the Environmental Protection Agency's regulation of polluters, pesticides and chemical exposures, and how the Interior Department has handled oil and mineral leases."

Ok, on that one point I say come on we can do better than that even with one house.

Ooops that is the lead in to my next point.

People are going to reply and say this is slight stuff.

Even with the description of the approach to the fight against terrorism and the war,
"They also would try to switch the U.S. from a major role in Iraq to a supporting one -- counterterrorism and logistical tasks rather than patrols on the streets of Baghdad."

Well, its one house of congress people and even if we get the Senate the margin will be tight.

I think the stuff the Dems are saying they are going to do is a good step in the right direction until our margins are broader.

I just think they need to canonize these into firm policy. Really, I think we need to make this part of a strong statement that this is how we will govern.

[mmonk]

1. Depends on victory and the margin of victory

whether any of it can be delivered. It could all end up being useless nuanced politics while the executive branch still operates at will.

[wyldwolf]

2. Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, Emanuel: 6 for '06

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/07/a_new_direction.html

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/08/04/democrats_set_an_agenda_they_can_agree_on/?page=1

This is a summary of several points in Reed's and Emanuel's "The Plan."

[ACK]

3. Thank you very much !!! 6 for '06

I like the 6 for '06 bit from the boston.com link specifically.

"``Six for '06" focuses primarily on domestic policy, with proposals including a higher minimum wage, tax deductions and lower interest rates on student loans, and expanded research on embryonic stem cells. Various Democrats have offered extensive legislation in each of those areas, but the party agenda does not choose between them"

[wyldwolf]

4. seriously, though, if you want to read more extensively on what we may see...

...concerning those, read "The Plan."