What is the Democratic Narrative?

[Civic Justice]

Can people here > outline what the Democratic Narrative Is? or even list:

[link:https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210402680|What Do We Want
]

Yes, we want Trump Out, and Yes, we want Republican Out? But what is our "message to the people of the United States? And what are the Thing We Want?

If you have opposition against reading, you may skip this. (the intent is to inspire constructive thinking, about "what do we want as the Democratic Party.


It's not enough just to say, I'm a Democrat, It's not enough just to ride the incessant media coverage about Trump, because we saw, the Campaign process give him 'excessive and incessant coverage", and we are "still seeing the Media give him excessive and incessant coverage"... He's gotten by now well over many $100's of Billion worth of media coverage. One can't turn on the News without a round-table of pundits, spewing about the "drama spins" and getting caught up in the incessant distractions Trump is known to purposefully create with his tweets and the matter of his life. None of it has changed his base not one bit, and we can't be certain it has changed the many others who voted for him. His approval rating is inching up, not down.

Yet, we don't have any Democratic Front Runner -Talking about what the Democratic Narrative Is. Without a Narrative, we are not only not reaching Democrats with a Clear and Concise set of "Objectives As Democrats that we want to Implement", people have no "Off the Top of their Head understanding of what Democrats would have as Plans"....
All we have is "We want Trump Out"....

Well its time we develop a "Narrative" !!!!!

We have a continual thread list with "complaints", but very few about any substantive ideas that we want to promote to the general public in all States and All Districts.

I have a concept for Narrative:

I want restoration of our Environmental Protection Agencies Agenda to Protect American now and into the future.

I want to see a repeal and modification to the Tax Cut Legislation, to make it beneficial to the Average America, and to have incentive for Corporation to work for Tax Cut, by "investing in America", as a means to get a tax credit. ( No more wish and hope they will just magically use the current tax cuts to invest in America, because they can't be trusted to do that, HISTORY, has shown us, that when Corporate Tax is High, and Tax Credits are gained by Investing in American, that was the era that America actually grew )

I want to see a restoration of "Union Strength" in America.
I want to see our Veterans Programs Improved: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210427982
I want to see our Department of HUD, improved, to provide for Medical Student to be supported and to make efforts to help set up a 'funding program" for "Doctors to establish" -Medical Testing Facilities, where they can be assisted to create facilities with 'Multiple" "MRI" Machines, to drive down the cost, Multi CT Scan Units to drive down cost, and Multiple Ultra Sound Units - to drive down cost. Where people can go and their cost is at a rate their insurance can cover with a low fixed co-payment.
In every Major City in this country, there should be multiple facilities with "Multiple Units" and this will change the landscape of Hospitals being mainly the facility with these units, which means they control the market and keep the cost excessively high. Additional, creating and building all these units = jobs. Staffing these facilities =jobs, and creating and having these facilities means better "preventative health issue".

We must empower Nurse Practitioners to set up Clinic's that can be "Under The Guidance of a Panel of Doctors" who can verify and authorize as necessary when serious medical condition exist, ( we have internet which makes this very efficient to send and receive communications, and digital records, makes it easy for the Panel to see the same information the "Nurse Practitioners can see".
but for "Regular Medical Visits" Medical Practitioners can perform those functions. They know how to read Blood Test Result, they know how to do the basic check your blood pressure and glucose and such things, and they know how to read a digital unit that list the medication to prescribe for particular things and they can read the list that tells them what medicines have interactions with other medicines, If we did this we can reduce the cost of a Medical Visit down to $50 -75. if this is done with a $25 dollar co pay, the Insurance companies would love it, and its a "win win" for the most valuable element of our society, which is "It's People".

I want to see the Department of Education to "Make special provision for managed cost of Medical School" by working with the University system ( who gets MASSIVE Federal Grant Dollars every year; to lower the cost for Medical Education and work with HUD to help provide financing of Medical Education)
I want to see the Department of Education improve "Civics Education In All Our Educational Facilities"
1. http://www.city-data.com/blogs/blog44102-our-need-civics-education-america.html
2. http://www.city-data.com/blogs/blog37437-does-matter-helping-young-people-education.html

I want to see our nation create a massive program that "helps young people" - see Idea: http://www.city-data.com/blogs/blog37049-civic-corp-reinstate-draft-not-what.html

I want to see us develop "Health Care Programs" that covers All American, as in an "ACA Medicare" framework, and develop a program that Elderly people over the age of 65 yrs of Age who's income is less than 50K, to not have co-payment or prescription co-payments. ( 65 is the required age to sign up for Medicare)

I want to see Regulation on "Financial Industry" which are enforced and does not allow companies to buy other companies by the use of structured "debt" and using the target company as a countable asset". I want to see CEO's held accountable for "over-leveraging, over-expansion and overstocking and overburdening companies, based on "stock ticker fiction", rather than being held to focus on ACTUAL PRODUCTION/PERFORMANCE AND ACTUAL SALES... not based on 'speculation" and speculative projections. "we have quarterly reporting for the purpose to disclousure the truth of actual sales and actual production, NOT, what speculation and stock broker fiction projects.

I want to see provisions for Local and Regional Banks, to develop "Home Loan Programs", specifically for home that are under $200K. with brackets for homes under 60k with 3-4% "FIXED RATE" loans, set up to be paid off in the same time it would take to pay off a 60k automobile. This will enable us to "have homeowner invested communities" rather than decaying and expanding ghetto's. These loans are to be made available ONLY to people who are Owner?Occupiers of those homes who must remain in that home for no less than 5 yrs. Then we eliminate the "Nomadic nature" that destroys communities and unsettle youth, where they don't have continuity in school association.
To avoid excessive home inflation, any time a homes value increase by more than 7%, that it triggers a Tax Assesment Revaluation to increase the Property Taxes. This can then stop the house flipping that makes homes unaffordable to young people.

If we can have a system that is eager to sell to low income and moderate low income people, vehicles that cost 30-60-70 and provide them financing for such a "depreciating asset", then we can certainly develop means to "sell properties to them that range easily to the 60-60-80K at a Low Fixed Rate, and if we can sell those vehicles with Low to No down Payment and without a top 700+ Credit Score, then certainly we can do the same for "Owner Occupied Homes", that will appreciate over time, not depreciate and certainly not with the rapidity of vehicle.

We can change the abusive gaming of 30 yr mortgages, where the cost of the loan over the life of the loan exceed the actual value of the home in some case by 3 times or more. We can shorten the term of Home Loans, and make them a-similar to vehicle Loans. THEN, people can pay off the home and be in a better position to save more for their children education and their own retirement.

I want to see "HUD" use the FHA to be the lender for Homes that are under 350K- with a Fixed Rate that cannot exceed 4%.. this will "take the banks out of the business of handling any home that is below 350K, and the profit gained will strengthen HUD... not feed money into the hands of Banks, that use the power of that money to fleece our people. Any Home over 350K can be handled by the Banks, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO ASSISTANCE FROM FHA, OR ANY GOVERNMENT SUPPORT, NOT FROM FANNIE MAE OR FREDDIE MACK... THIS will FORCE banks to be responsible with the Mortgage Loan of those who us Banks to Finance their homes. They won't be so eager to "gamble with their own money" when they know there will NOT be a Government Bail Out waiting for them, when they callously gamble the money away. They will be foced to be RESPONSIBLE in how they handled their Mortgage Backed Lending.

We scream and claim we are upset about the break down of America, but we won't make and push measure and policies that support a cessation to the break down, by making sure our communities again become "owner vested occupied".

I want to see a Full On Respect and Regard for Diversity in All Areas Of American, both Socially, Civic-ally, and Economically.

I want to see the people who are dependent on Public Service who could otherwise work if they had available jobs, to be able to use those public services AND work a job that pays up to 10-12, for up to 24 months, with a mandatory structure that 20% of that earned money goes into a saving account, where they have stability funds after 24 months and can CONSTRUCTIVELY move themselves off of public assistance programs. During this Time, that job they work, has a tax limit, where no more than 5% Federal and 3% State Taxes can be deduced from their Income during this period. During this period of "Programming", we must limit the ability of such participants from being encumbered with vehicle loans for vehicles that cost more than 25K. This helps promote the "Responsibility For Stability".

This nation will NEVER give Reparations to Minorities and Poor White who have been constructive disenfranchised for Centuries and Decades, but this is a means to help them join into the ranks of American Prosperity and Stability as American Citizens. Hell, we give more than that to Refugee and Other Nations as Foreign Aid,
Surely we can do something to Help the American People, who were subjected to the vile of Segregation and Disenfranchisement and to the Poor whites who were used as Pawns to promote racism and a unwarranted contempt that promotes dissension and disunity, as a tool used against society by the supporting drama from the wealthy, as a means was assured to keep wages low and denied them the means by constructive process to find means to meet the American Living Standards.

I want to see "Community Colleges Restored to How they Were Originally Designed to Operate" and "I want to see "Vocational and Technical Training- Set to a level where a Pell Grant will cover 50% of its cost, by making the cost lower, where graduates and people who earn certification will have no more than maximum $4-5K of debt when they complete the program.
I want to see "State Universities Restored to Original Design" before :Ronald Reagan Screwed It Up as a means to block progress for Minorities and Poor Whites !!!!! https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ684842.pdf

I want to see "Gun Control Legislation" that does not permit "Assault Weapons in the Hands of Citizens', and Limit Magazine size for hand guns, and any other kind of Gun, and a "Panel that Manages What is Suitable As a "Hunting Weapon".. ( we no longer need citizens Armed to a level based on a past history before we had the many branches of Military and Law Enforcement that we have today, we don't need average citizens prepared to become militia, without being inducted into a branch of the Military. We need to limit the caliper of weapon that is suitable for Citizen Ownership, and ban any and all Armour Piercing Ammo from being owned by Citizens. The only allowable carrying of a weapon outside of the home, is either for "hunting' or for "handguns, by having a permit to do so".

I want to see FEDERAL AND STATE Campaign Financing, even if it means, every citizen pays $5-10 a year into a fund, to help support this. or a 1-2 cent national sales tax, SPECIFICALLY for Campaign Financing, which cannot be "mis apporiated by any congressional acts. With a "fixed amount" for Federal National Offices, and a "fixed amount for State and Local offices, based on the population of the State or Local.

I want to see a 5 year established Panel, with the tax, to go through our Laws and SCRUB out every law that was designed and promoted and implemented based on American's Racist History, ( We have enough "high performance data systems and most all laws both Federal, State and Local is now in "Data Base Format" which means, we can use technology to do this expediently and efficiently"

I want to see A MODIFICATION to the 13th Amendment !!!!! https://www.democraticunderground.com/1105732

I want to see a firm and clear Amendment that GUARANTEE "EVERY AMERICAN" THE RIGHT TO VOTE... no more of this game of kicking the can down the road, 10 feet at a time.

I want to see a "removal of the label of "Felon" from Non Violent Criminals, after they have done their time, and been provided quality training and quality rehabilitation. We need to ABOLISH For Profit Prisons, and any Prison that Farms out Prisoner for Private Industry Usage, "must be paid no less than the minimum wage' and that money is to be placed in a fund, where a portion is used for "restitution of anyone or anything they damaged", and a portion set aside so when they are released it goes to a managed program, that pays their rent and food and affords public transportation expense, while they find a job, and this can be handled via their Parole System. When their parole is up, any remaining funds are released the the person. during their term if prison, that money can be used to back "Municipal Bonds" that have a term set, based on their release, for any people who have a mandatory 20 yr or more sentence. Those who imprisoned for Life, the money in their fund, pays restitution for damages, and goes to assist their family and children if they have any, if they have none, then the money goes to "youth program funds'... to be managed by Health and Human Services Specifically for Youth Non Profit Programs.

Social Security Program is not a "piggy bank for congressional gaming" - This is the peoples money, and that money should be used to back "Municipal Bonds" which helps cities and municipalities, which is the communities of the people. Social Security Monies are not to be used for and Foreign Immigrants who have not worked and contributed into the Social Security System. Any assistance to immigrants must be done by Federal and State Funds for a special fund set up for Immigrant Assistance.

I would like to see "Fixed Cost" established for "Emergency Hospital Visits"... this work is handled by "salary and hourly paid staff"... there is NO Justification for the Egregious Cost Structure Currently in Place. The same goes for Pharmaceuticals, who use "Federal Grant Money and University Grant Money in their development of Drugs", therefore, Drugs Prices should be Managed by a Federal Agency, to establish cost and establish term of patents, "They have Fleeced the Public Long Enough.
We need to consider Legislation that Drugs Developed in America are Manufactured and Produced in America On American Soil, by American Workers.

We need to establish "TERM LIMITS" FOR POLITICIANS... if any Politician has special skills after their Term, they are eligible to register and be evaluated for a role as "consultant", with nominal pay rate, as a public service consultant. Not as part of any Private Consultant Firm with their outrageous fees and agenda.
Federal and State Campaign Financing will "Eliminate" Lobbyist buying away the voice of the people. Any bills or measures put up by Corporations must be reviewed by a Public Panel of 13 citizens, who have no role in public policy and political related jobs

WE CAN BE A BETTER DEMOCRACY IS WE INVEST IN THINKING OF WAYS WE WANT TO BECOME A BETTER DEMOCRACY.

Now... As a Democrat who supports the Democratic Party.... "What Do You Want"?

[shraby]

1. Concerning campaign financing:

I'd like to see it changed to this, candidates can only receive money from people in their district that the represent. No outside money.
Representatives each have a district. Only money from citizens in that district.
Senators have a district which consists of the whole state. They can only take money from citizens from that state.
The President candidates represent the whole country. They can only take money from citizens from the country, and no other country.

No PAC organizations allowed, as none are needed. No bundling donations. If a candidate can't come up with enough money for a campaign, tough luck. Maybe they should look for a different line of work, or use their own shoe leather to drum up votes.

[brooklynite]

2. so, you're saying that candidates in an expensive Republican suburb should have an easier time

While candidates in a poor Appalachian district should have to struggle for funding?

Let's be clear: the driving force behind campaign finance problems is the inability to limit OUTSIDE spending. Candidates are limited to only $2700 per campaign per person. Not enough to sway their opinions.

And FWIW, US candidates have NEVER been allowed to accept contributions from people who are not citizens or permanent residents.

[Civic Justice]

4. Federal and State Campaign Financing can solve these challenges.

[Demsrule86]

27. Which won't happen...this is just another hit job on Democrats...I know as a Democrat exactly

what Democrats believe... please -pages of what Democrats 'must' do...solve all the world's problem while being in the minority...look what is a bird and airplane ...why it's super Democrat...invincible and perfect...gotta say so tired of this meme.

[LanternWaste]

5. Rather bemusing how you consistently use the Reductio ad absurdum fallacy

Rather bemusing how you consistently use the Reductio ad absurdum fallacy to better illustrate the breadth of your knowledge...

[brooklynite]

8. I find overly simplistic responses appropriate for overly simplistic ideas...

[Civic Justice]

11. why not present your idea's

... rather than bringing nothing more than critique where you've omitted to proactively contribute anything useful?
the overriding question was and is... "What Do You Want" as a Democratic Narrative?

Geez!!!

[Demsrule86]

29. My suggestion ...read the platform.

[Hortensis]

49. +1000. OUR PREAMBLE IS A NARRATIVE TO BE PROUD OF.

It's chock full of ideas and even catch phrases that can be called on when people lie about, or worse believe, that we don't stand for anything. To remember so that we can evaluate the honesty and agendas of articles about us.

https://www.democrats.org/party-platform

Here are some of our beliefs and goals:

... Democrats believe that cooperation is better than conflict, unity is better than division, empowerment is better than resentment, and bridges are better than walls. It’s a simple but powerful idea: we are stronger together. ...

We believe that today’s extreme level of income and wealth inequality—where the majority of the economic gains go to the top one percent and the richest 20 people in our country own more wealth than the bottom 150 million—makes our economy weaker, our communities poorer, and our politics poisonous.

And we know that our nation’s long struggle with race is far from over. More than half a century after Rosa Parks sat and Dr. King marched and John Lewis bled, more than half a century after César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, and Larry Itliong organized, race still plays a significant role in determining who gets ahead in America and who gets left behind. We must face that reality and we must fix it.

We believe a good education is a basic right of all Americans, no matter what zip code they live in. We will end the school-to-prison pipeline and build a cradle-to-college pipeline instead, where every child can live up to his or her God-given potential.

We believe in helping Americans balance work and family without fear of punishment or penalty. We believe in at last guaranteeing equal pay for women. And as the party that created Social Security, we believe in protecting every American’s right to retire with dignity.

We firmly believe that the greed, recklessness, and illegal behavior on Wall Street must be brought to an end. Wall Street must never again be allowed to threaten families and businesses on Main Street.

Democrats believe we are stronger when we protect citizens’ right to vote, while stopping corporations’ outsized influence in elections. We will fight to end the broken campaign finance system, overturn the disastrous Citizens United decision, restore the full power of the Voting Rights Act, and return control of our elections to the American people.

Democrats believe that climate change poses a real and urgent threat to our economy, our national security, and our children’s health and futures, and that Americans deserve the jobs and security that come from becoming the clean energy superpower of the 21st century.

Democrats believe we are stronger and safer when America brings the world together and leads with principle and purpose. We believe we should strengthen our alliances, not weaken them. We believe in the power of development and diplomacy. ...

Above all, Democrats are the party of inclusion. We know that diversity is not our problem—it is our promise. As Democrats, we respect differences of perspective and belief, and pledge to work together to move this country forward, even when we disagree. With this platform, we do not merely seek common ground—we strive to reach higher ground.

We are proud of our heritage as a nation of immigrants. We know that today’s immigrants are tomorrow’s teachers, doctors, lawyers, government leaders, soldiers, entrepreneurs, activists, PTA members, and pillars of our communities.

We believe in protecting civil liberties and guaranteeing civil rights and voting rights, women’s rights and workers’ rights, LGBT rights, and rights for people with disabilities. We believe America is still, as Robert Kennedy said, “a great country, an unselfish country, and a compassionate country.”

[msongs]

7. "poor appalachian districts" have a much lower cost of campaigning than expensive

suburbs. they are not comparable cost wise

[brooklynite]

9. They do, but that doesn't mean the costs and revenues scale equally

Consider the following: Staten Island and Brooklyn are both in the NYC media market, so costs will be effectively the same. However, SI has a median income of $70,295 while Brooklyn has a median income of $44,850.

[shraby]

55. No I'm not saying that. I'm saying

The candidate in an Appalachian district would be running against a candidate from the opposing party in the very same district. Limiting the donations for those candidates in that district means both candidates would be getting funding from the same pool of people. Same for a more affluent district.

I said nothing about accepting contributions from people who are not citizens or permanent residents. In fact the people who can donate in a district are permanent or new residents of that district, otherwise they couldn't register there to vote for the candidates.

[Civic Justice]

3. Thank you, very good!!!

Thanks for investing the thoughts and time and Ideals... These steps helps us to promote how our future will be shaped, if we can get enough Democrats to actually invest in this type of thinking and share their thoughts.

[Wwcd]

6. Good points. It is pretty much Hillary Clinton's Platform. Her vision for this country

That is why she was silenced from all sides.

If she'd been allowed to ever speak to the Nation as the other candidates were, it would have been the end of the GOP & 3rd Party power & Putin would never have left his footprint in America.

Who ran against her again? They also ran against the very progressive & democratic future of our society.

Now, having been offered the opportunity, & for some reason refused it, to direct the course of our country finally, here we are starting over again.

What kind of people would run against such a completely positive, well written policy plan for America's future?

Who were they? Who are they still today? Who benefitted from silencing the very future that your well written OP asks for.

Perhaps the next Dem Candidate, maybe a male, could ask Hillary for her blessing & run on her very platform.
Maybe this time they'd let Him Speak and in the end, America would move forward with the best policy plan for a solid future.
Just don't tell anyone it was Hillary's plan till the voters have applauded it & secured the majority to put it all in place.

Thanks for your thorough OP.

[Civic Justice]

13. Thank you, We Need The Voice that Speaks to All of America

in ways they can understand how it benefits them and the future of this nation and those who come after us.

[Hortensis]

48. +100. Our narrative is in the PREAMBLE to OUR PLATFORM,

for anyone who needs to a refresher on who we are. We intend to achieve a great deal of progress for America, and this all still awaits our return to power. With some updating to do, of course. We have a bone to pick with Russia's corrupt, aggressively imperialistic government, for instance.

But grab some coffee and take a gander. Because this is IT, our party's narrative. The table of contents follows and may call for a refill all by itself.

THE 2016 DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM PREAMBLE

In 2016, Democrats meet in Philadelphia with the same basic belief that animated the Continental Congress when they gathered here 240 years ago: Out of many, we are one.

Under President Obama’s leadership, and thanks to the hard work and determination of the American people, we have come a long way from the Great Recession and the Republican policies that triggered it. American businesses have now added 14.8 million jobs since private-sector job growth turned positive in early 2010. Twenty million people have gained health insurance coverage. The American auto industry just had its best year ever. And we are getting more of our energy from the sun and wind, and importing less oil from overseas.

But too many Americans have been left out and left behind. They are working longer hours with less security. Wages have barely budged and the racial wealth gap remains wide, while the cost of everything from childcare to a college education has continued to rise. And for too many families, the dream of homeownership is out of reach. As working people struggle, the top one percent accrues more wealth and more power. Republicans in Congress have chosen gridlock and dysfunction over trying to find solutions to the real challenges we face. It’s no wonder that so many feel like the system is rigged against them.

Democrats believe that cooperation is better than conflict, unity is better than division, empowerment is better than resentment, and bridges are better than walls.

It’s a simple but powerful idea: we are stronger together.

Democrats believe we are stronger when we have an economy that works for everyone—an economy that grows incomes for working people, creates good-paying jobs, and puts a middle-class life within reach for more Americans. Democrats believe we can spur more sustainable economic growth, which will create good-paying jobs and raise wages. And we can have more economic fairness, so the rewards are shared broadly, not just with those at the top. We need an economy that prioritizes long-term investment over short-term profit-seeking, rewards the common interest over self-interest, and promotes innovation and entrepreneurship.

We believe that today’s extreme level of income and wealth inequality—where the majority of the economic gains go to the top one percent and the richest 20 people in our country own more wealth than the bottom 150 million—makes our economy weaker, our communities poorer, and our politics poisonous.

And we know that our nation’s long struggle with race is far from over. More than half a century after Rosa Parks sat and Dr. King marched and John Lewis bled, more than half a century after César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, and Larry Itliong organized, race still plays a significant role in determining who gets ahead in America and who gets left behind. We must face that reality and we must fix it.

We believe a good education is a basic right of all Americans, no matter what zip code they live in. We will end the school-to-prison pipeline and build a cradle-to-college pipeline instead, where every child can live up to his or her God-given potential.

We believe in helping Americans balance work and family without fear of punishment or penalty. We believe in at last guaranteeing equal pay for women. And as the party that created Social Security, we believe in protecting every American’s right to retire with dignity.

We firmly believe that the greed, recklessness, and illegal behavior on Wall Street must be brought to an end. Wall Street must never again be allowed to threaten families and businesses on Main Street.

Democrats believe we are stronger when we protect citizens’ right to vote, while stopping corporations’ outsized influence in elections. We will fight to end the broken campaign finance system, overturn the disastrous Citizens United decision, restore the full power of the Voting Rights Act, and return control of our elections to the American people.

Democrats believe that climate change poses a real and urgent threat to our economy, our national security, and our children’s health and futures, and that Americans deserve the jobs and security that come from becoming the clean energy superpower of the 21st century.

Democrats believe we are stronger and safer when America brings the world together and leads with principle and purpose. We believe we should strengthen our alliances, not weaken them. We believe in the power of development and diplomacy. We believe our military should be the best-trained, best-equipped fighting force in the world, and that we must do everything we can to honor and support our veterans. And we know that only the United States can mobilize common action on a truly global scale, to take on the challenges that transcend borders, from international terrorism to climate change to health pandemics.

Above all, Democrats are the party of inclusion. We know that diversity is not our problem—it is our promise. As Democrats, we respect differences of perspective and belief, and pledge to work together to move this country forward, even when we disagree. With this platform, we do not merely seek common ground—we strive to reach higher ground.

We are proud of our heritage as a nation of immigrants. We know that today’s immigrants are tomorrow’s teachers, doctors, lawyers, government leaders, soldiers, entrepreneurs, activists, PTA members, and pillars of our communities.

We believe in protecting civil liberties and guaranteeing civil rights and voting rights, women’s rights and workers’ rights, LGBT rights, and rights for people with disabilities. We believe America is still, as Robert Kennedy said, “a great country, an unselfish country, and a compassionate country.”

These principles stand in sharp contrast to the Republicans, who have nominated as the standard-bearer for their party and their candidate for President a man who seeks to appeal to Americans’ basest differences, rather than our better natures.

The stakes have been high in previous elections. But in 2016, the stakes can be measured in human lives—in the number of immigrants who would be torn from their homes; in the number of faithful and peaceful Muslims who would be barred from even visiting our shores; in the number of allies alienated and dictators courted; in the number of Americans who would lose access to health care and see their rights ripped away.

This election is about more than Democrats and Republicans. It is about who we are as a nation, and who we will be in the future.

Two hundred and forty years ago, in Philadelphia, we started a revolution of ideas and of action that continues to this day. Since then, our union has been tested many times, through bondage and civil war, segregation and depression, two world wars and the threat of nuclear annihilation. Generations of Americans fought and marched and organized to widen the circle of opportunity and dignity—and we are fighting still.

Despite what some say, America is and has always been great—but not because it has been perfect. What makes America great is our unerring belief that we can make it better. We can and we will build a more just economy, a more equal society, and a more perfect union—because we are stronger together.

CONTENTS
Choose a section to jump ahead, or scroll down to read the platform in its entirety.

PREAMBLE

RAISE INCOMES AND RESTORE ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS
Raising Workers’ Wages
Protecting Workers’ Fundamental Rights
Supporting Working Families
Helping More Workers Share in Near-Record Corporate Profits
Expanding Access to Affordable Housing and Homeownership
Protecting and Expanding Social Security
Ensuring a Secure and Dignified Retirement
Revitalizing Our Nation’s Postal Service

CREATE GOOD-PAYING JOBS
Building 21st Century Infrastructure
Fostering a Manufacturing Renaissance
Creating Good-Paying Clean Energy Jobs
Pursuing Our Innovation Agenda: Science, Research, Education, and Technology
Supporting America’s Small Businesses
Creating Jobs for America’s Young People

FIGHT FOR ECONOMIC FAIRNESS AND AGAINST INEQUALITY
Reining in Wall Street and Fixing our Financial System
Promoting Competition by Stopping Corporate Concentration
Making the Wealthy Pay Their Fair Share of Taxes
Promoting Trade That is Fair and Benefits American Workers

BRING AMERICANS TOGETHER AND REMOVE BARRIERS TO OPPORTUNITIES
Ending Systemic Racism
Closing the Racial Wealth Gap
Reforming our Criminal Justice System
Fixing our Broken Immigration System
Guaranteeing Civil Rights
Guaranteeing Women’s Rights
Guaranteeing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights
Guaranteeing Rights for People with Disabilities
Respecting Faith and Service
Investing in Rural America
Ending Poverty and Investing in Communities Left Behind
Building Strong Cities and Metro Areas
Promoting Arts and Culture
Honoring Indigenous Tribal Nations
Fighting for the People of Puerto Rico
Honoring the People of the Territories

PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS, FIX OUR CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEM, AND RESTORE OUR DEMOCRACY
Protecting Voting Rights
Fixing Our Broken Campaign Finance System
Appointing Judges
Securing Statehood for Washington, DC
Strengthening Management of Federal Government

COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE, BUILD A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY, AND SECURE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Building a Clean Energy Economy
Securing Environmental and Climate Justice
Protecting Our Public Lands and Waters
PROVIDE QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE EDUCATION
Making Debt-Free College a Reality
Providing Relief from Crushing Student Debt
Supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions
Cracking Down on Predatory For-Profit Schools
Guaranteeing Universal Preschool and Good Schools for Every Child

ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL AMERICANS
Securing Universal Health Care
Supporting Community Health Centers
Reducing Prescription Drug Costs
Enabling Cutting-Edge Medical Research
Combating Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Treating Mental Health
Supporting Those Living with Autism and their Families
Securing Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice
Ensuring Long-Term Care, Services, and Supports
Protecting and Promoting Public Health
Ending Violence Against Women
Preventing Gun Violence

PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND KEEP FAITH WITH OUR VETERANS
Defense Spending
Veterans and Service Members
Military Families
A Strong Military

CONFRONT GLOBAL THREATS
Terrorism
Syria
Afghanistan
Iran
North Korea
Russia
Cybersecurity and Online Privacy
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Weapons
Global Climate Leadership

PROTECT OUR VALUES
Women and Girls
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People
Trafficking and Modern Slavery
Young People
Religious Minorities
Refugees
Civil Society
Anti-Corruption
Torture
Closing Guantánamo Bay
Development Assistance
Global Health
HIV and AIDS
International Labor

A LEADER IN THE WORLD
Asia-Pacific
Middle East
Europe
Americas
Africa
Global Economy and Institutions

[Wwcd]

52. Thank you. What kind of people would disagree with this??

People who want division in order to weaken a society for all.

This Platform is what Is under attack by Putin, Trump, RW media, global dictators & the billion dollar organized crime syndicate.

Your post is worth bookmarking.

What kind of people want to divide & weaken a society that adheres to the Democratic platform?

[grantcart]

10. A better educated and more motivated electorate.

We didn't lose the electoral college because we didn't have substantive and more progressive ideas.

[Civic Justice]

12. Please share something that helps us have a Narrative For the Future...

that's the point of the Original Posting. What will be OUR VOICED NARRATIVE... AND how do we Unify and Get that Voice Wide Spread?

We need to COLLECTIVELY know "What Do We Want and EXPRESSIVE PROMOTE THOSE IDEALS"

Its not Rocket Science... its "Life and Living in a Governed Society, that should be By the People, For the People.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210385327

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1019554

[grantcart]

28. The premise of your original OP is not valid and capitals don't improve it.

Your premise is that if we simply had better policy options (OUR VOICED NARRATIVE) and articulated them better then we would have better success. (EXPRESSIVE PROMOTE THOSE IDEALS - not sure what that means but the capitals don't solve the syntax problem)

The facts don’t support the premise.

In 2000 polls ranked health care at the top of a list of policy concerns. Last week a poll came out that stated that a majority of Americans consider it their single most important issue. That same poll showed that 72% strongly disapproved of Republican handling of health care.

http://news.gallup.com/poll/2503/health-care-important-issue-year.aspx

http://midnightsunak.com/2018/02/02/poll-health-care-remains-top-issue-2018/

During that 18 year span, when health care was consistently rated as the most important issue by a large majority of Americans and there were 5 Presidential elections and the Democrats won 4 of them (the fifth in the middle of a hot war when despite that strong historical advantage – see FDR – the Republicans barely won)

During that 18 year period Democrats recorded 311 million votes versus the Republicans 296 million votes. Despite this advantage of 15 million votes the electoral college went to the Republicans 60% of the time, or more to the point 40% of the time to the minority party.

To use your terms: OUR VOICED NARRATIVE kicked butt for 18 years as we EXPRESSIVE PROMOTE THOSE IDEALS to good effect. However 40% of the time those winning majority decisions were handed to the minority. But, even more important, 100% of the time the legislative system gives huge advantages to the minority. These advantages (discussed below) make it impossible to advance progressive legislation even with substantial majorities.

Minority party leadership of a republic is not unheard of, Germany is doing it now, but everywhere else the minority party makes significant compromises in order to win some support of the majority voters because not doing so would so enrage the notion of fair play, even in the minority party, that the government would collapse from lack of political support.

In the US not only do they tolerate this insult to democratic ideals, but Trump’s approval ratings go up after the Stormy Daniels interview. We have a strong 35% of the population that simply will believe whatever FOX tells them. One year Russia is a threat and we have to invest in more military the next year Russia is our friend and Putin is no big deal. One year the Fox viewer is a free trader and the next an economic nationalist.

The US legislative system is even more undemocratic than the flawed Electoral College because the Senate, an unfortunate concession to small states, gives voters in Idaho a 20:1 ratio of power compared to a voter in CA.

Indeed the 20 smallest states (which have less population than CA) can have their 40 Senators veto any legislation because in a legislative body that has extraordinary bias towards the minority they then fix a supermajority to pass legislation. The population of these 40 Senators (which constitute about 36% of the population) is controlled by 18% of the US population, and even less if you factor in that these races are almost universally selected at the primary.

And it gets worse. Because of gerrymandering the "People's House" is now controlled by a minority vote. The Democrats consistently get a majority of the votes for the House of Representatives but because of state by state gerrymandering Republicans get a majority of the House seats.

You want policies that have greater popular appeal. We are unable to get legislation passed where those policies have 90% approval in the population because of these structural impediments.

1) If more proof was needed look at DACA. Recent polls show that 90% of the population support a legal resolution for these individuals who came as dependents and therefore are guilty of no crime whatsoever.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/369487-poll-nearly-nine-in-10-favor-allowing-daca-recipients-to-stay

Even when Trump gets Schumer to give him funding for the wall, he refuses. Romney just announced that he would send them all back.

2) Ninety percent of the people support universal background checks, nothing is done.

The solution is not upping our “policy” game.

The solution is:

1) Getting more people registered to vote

2) Getting more registered Democrats to vote, especially in off year elections. If whites and Hispanic voters voted at the same turnout as AA voters Texas, AZ and FL would be blue states. Trump only won AZ by 3%. Knocking on doors, calling on the phone, engaging your neighbors is what is needed.

3) Support Democrats in red states who may not agree with everything we do.

Activism not more written policies is the only answer. We have the policies that the people support. Universal access to health care, reform criminal sentencing, fairness in immigration, combat climate change, reasonable checks on gun background checks, and so on.

The problems above are not the cause but only the symptoms of a larger problem and that is that the US is becoming increasingly intellectually lazy. Rather listen to a reality TV nobody than an accomplished andinformed political leader.

The largest group in the CA University system are not whites but Asians, mostly first and second generation immigrants. Every year the number of US PHd students in STEM programs declines and the number of foreign STEM graduates increase.

Everything discussed is a symptom of a US populace that is growing increasingly lazy about thinking about their political system and is more motivated by reality and social media. Get people to turn off their TVs and start reading more and you will see a dramatic improvement.

[Squinch]

39. This.

[ismnotwasm]

14. Who is discussing reparations for minoritys and poor whites?

That’s not how the reparation conversation goes.

[Civic Justice]

15. We All Should Be Discussing It....

We all know the LONG HISTORY of Economic Abuse of Minorities and Poor Whites People !!! If we don't know, then we may need to truly and honestly invest to look at America's History, the FACTS are there for any open mind to see.

If we expect to eradicate Poverty, and Improve Lives, we can't be resentful about helping those who have been fleeced yet, have been contributors to America.


(( History= Slavery was 100% TAX imposed upon black people, that money they should have recieved for their labor, went into building cities and infrastructure that only benefit white society, During Segregation, Blacks paid Taxes that was not used to improve and maintain their communities. The exact same is true for Poor whites, they paid taxes that was not used to improve and maintain their communities.... Yet, the Tax they Paid to fix communities for more well to do white people, kept the taxes low for the more well to do white people. (Think, review History and Many Truths Will Be Discovered)...

Based on the Ignorance of Racism, there should be absolutely NO poor white people in this nation !!!! but because they were taken advantage of and economic disadvantaged by many contrived means, we have a mass of generationally "poor white people" that is 4-7 times the volume of poor minorities. They also use Public Assistance at 4-7 times more than minorities.

Truth is hard to digest for a society that was nursed of bias, bigotry, racism and class-ism.... which promoted 'economic disenfranchisement... which we see today, in people claiming $ Billion of Dollars of Personal Wealth, and we are entraped with a minimum wage, that is Basically NO MORE than a modern day expense of what it takes to house and feed a slave, or pay a poor white the equal of what it cost to house and feed a slave.

Things we don't want to think about, don't want to talk about and certainly don't want to acknowledge is the very things that created the mess we have today. We can't do better till we acknowledge the wrongs that has made us do so bad.

Proverbs 10:2 ESV /

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 1:19 ESV /

Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors

[ismnotwasm]

22. Uh, no.

[NCTraveler]

16. I have read your op and all of the replies.

It seems as though what you are looking for is right here. It is a blueprint for "membership" and expectations. Of course in a two party system nothing will be exact.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/uploads.democrats.org/Downloads/2016_DNC_Platform.pdf

A lot of hard work it put into this by a lot of people.

[Civic Justice]

20. That's Great- but how many people in the general population actually will Read it

This is why I also, advocate for more "Civic's Based Education In Society"

http://s3.amazonaws.com/uploads.democrats.org/Downloads/2016_DNC_Platform.pdf

Thank you for the Link... Hope others appreciate and read it as well.

[NCTraveler]

23. It's not necessarily to be read by the general public.

It's a story line we are to present to them.

[Squinch]

34. Yup. Not really understanding the point of all these "but but what do Dems STAND for????"

How many times do we have to listen to that nonsense?

[Civic Justice]

17. Who among you do not like fresh vegetables and fruits.

Yes, everyone loves going to the grocery store to get this stuff.

Yet we complain about "migrant workers"... Then why not fix the mess... We can have farmers to invest in "migrant medical insurance" that covers the basics for migrant workers, it may cost us an extra penny or so for a head of lettuce, but that is far better than Us closing down Medical Facilities because we don't want Migrant workers to get care.

The same for Immigrants, we can have "Basic Immigrant Insurance' that is mandatory, where they are required to have insurance, be their status as listed as Legal or Illegal. Then, Emergency Rooms won't be closing because of Immigrant people utilizing them. Nor will their usage cause the cost to go up.

We have the Smarts in America to Fix these problems... but our biggest problem to fixing things, is Racism and Bigotry, Ethnicity Bias and Generalized Ignorance. We are some of the most envious and resentful people when it comes to the same "human rights we want to lay claim to upholding"....especially in the Republican Ranks and we have far too much of the same in the Democratic Ranks A truth we deny, but know it exist... !!

We have much to "rethink" beyond the selfish consumption mentality that has been taught in this nations for 100's of years.
Only we can change that paradigm.... but first we have to face the truths of this nations history !!!! and a great many both Republican and Democratic white people don't want to face those truth and be truthful about what needs to be faced.

America's history is filled with Horrible Things... done by the Immigrants from Many Nations of White Skin people, and its time it face that fact and look back and learn.... and stop trying to deny and rely on "biased past laws that were designed to attack and disenfranchise not only the native American, but any people of non white ethnicity, and that was done for 100's of years, as it was taught generation after generations to blind themselves to such historical truths.

American has to relearn the meaning of "Equality" that the Declaration of Independence Truly Spoke of and Stood to Promote as a Principle.

If anyone thinks we will have a remake of the old days, or even the 1940's, 1950. and 1960's then they are a living detriment to American's principles of Equality.... and they serve only as a subversive elements against this Democracy.

[NCTraveler]

24. "Who among you do not like fresh vegetables and fruits."

[Civic Justice]

25. Health is a "National Security Concern" and should be to All People

[Orangepeel]

18. I know why Im a Democrat

The Democratic Party stands for the idea that working together we can progress toward making life better for everyone. Our recent slogans reflect that— stronger together, yes we can.

[Civic Justice]

19. What Specific Things Can "You" Outline That You Want as a Democrat?

Details always matter, even when people may not want to acknowledge them, as Nothing Exist without Details Embedded within its composure of what it is, and what it claims it is. Details Matter.

[shenmue]

26. We have a narrative. It's called 'A better deal.'

[tonyt53]

30. It really is as simple as that.

[Civic Justice]

31. That's Fine, There are Lots of Young People and Others who care to read and think...

Who can benefit from the Discussion, people may consider the fact that "everyday" young people become of voting age and some who have never thought about politics also everyday, there is someone who joins the political ranks.
Therefore, it is best to respect them in what we say, how we say it, what information we share and how we share it.

People make pun and fun of Trump, but ignore the fact, "he spoke in terms people identified with", not that it was for their best interesnt, but it was "terms they could understand"...

We as Democrats need to get over this elitist delusions that "all democrats are highly educated' and "we need to get over the FALSE assumption that everybody who seek to become a democrat and recogonize that everyone who is a democrat does not have all the information or all the answers to understanding the platform.

Sadly, what I've seen since I been on here is "sad", because some of the longer term members, are too High On Themselves, where they think they don't have to talk and communicate, and they do a great disservice to those new to the party and new to politics, and they certainly don't serve well those who may have been long time democrats but not have the investment of time to think and learn about Civic and Political Matters, and see how they are "one of the same in outcome' of what society becomes.

IF I wanted to hear a lot of condescending Crap and Bullshit, I can post this same thing on City Data and listen to Right Wingers Fight and attack anything and everything they don't understand, and attack and assault anything that talks about "helping others' because they are so envious and self centered and bigoted, until they hate to see anything that helps anyone else, to the degree they will try and attack to destroy, just to deny something to other while being too ignorance to know they deny the same to themselves.

maybe some of you have not paid attention, Republican have an unshakable base, but here, if this site is any representation of broad spectrum of Democrats... We are IN BIG TROUBLE... these members here are so afraid that a posting might get sticking power, to spread the word, they won't even give posting a "rec"... When 200 plus people read something that speaks of Democratic Ideals and not even get 10-20% Rec's.. that's tells us how weak we are, and it explains how so many people were easily lured away and end up casting their vote for Trump, the dissension indicates why so many Independents don't bond with us, and toss their votes into the Independent Candidate even when they know they don't have a chance to gain any wins, they just do it to say, they have voted... but not to support Ideals they know can win in this major party of Democrats.

Overconfidence is dangerous!!! and those who have not learned that from the 2016 loss, should think very carefully about it.
We saw it damage us in Obama's Midterms, two times and we saw it Devastate us in 2016 Campaign..... What the Heck Does It Take to Wake People UP????

Maybe people just get a kick of coming to this site to post sarcasm at "Trumps Distraction Machine Methodology"...

Maybe Liberal Media has not figured it out, "that Sarcasm TV Masquerading as News Shows", did not serve very well during the months leading up to the Election and they've done very little to bond Democrats on anything except sarcasm... They DON'T TALK ABOUT DEMOCRATIC IDEALS, THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT DEMOCRATIC POLICIES ARE AND WHAT IT CAN DO FOR SOCIETY AND THE PEOPLE.... They spend their time pushing "drama sarcasm" to sell commercials, and it does very little to Educate the People on Democratic Policies and How to Achieve Them, and it Certainly Does NOTHING to explain Democratic Policies and Create a Narrative.
RIGHT THIS VERY DAY... WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A "FRONT RUNNING DEMOCRATIC VOICE" except for Elizabeth Warren and she is fighting everyday, within the panel she sits.... But ... the only person talking and backing it up.. is "Tom Steyer".
The rest send out "prescript'ed form letters asking for money".... But they are not out telling the people in ALL Districts what they can do and explaining the policies that Democrats Support.

We can't even get 20 people to tell us.. "What is the Unified Democratic Narrative and Its Goals'..... and if you think that's not a problem... then people need to reconsider much.... or we will become again a victim of "Attack Drama Making Political Campaigning Games" and "Fictitious Media Spins" that promote False Overconfidence.


Maybe your should invest the time to EXPLAIN your "Better Deal" if for nothing else, for the benefit of the young new voting public and the many millions of people who don't get up and vote.... If you have an Idea what "that Better Deal is, then outline it and be a contributor more than a detractor of commentary that is trying to unify a Narrative.

[Squinch]

35. "Elitist delusions?" Really? WTF is this shit? Go away and read the platform and stop

castigating people for not having done something they have already done.

And just a suggestion: if you don't want to "hear a lot of condescending crap and bullshit," perhaps you shouldn't sling it at others.

[Civic Justice]

36. We have to keep "doing", not stand on just what we've done.

2016 showed us that... we saw that two times with each "mid terms of Obama's Administration"... If you feel insulted, that's a matter of interpretation.

The world does not stop because people previously did something, it continue to move and chance society because of what people continue doing.

You've contributed nothing to in this post to help "build a cohesive narrative" other than swell up, based on what you did in the past, because you are not patronized, forget patronizing or wanting to be, continue contributing!!!!

Many over time have done much, and those who came before us did much, but if the presence of Trump and Republican System's acts does not tell us... "that we have to "do more and continue doing more".... then what does it take? If you don't want to contribute something to the thread, I'm fine with that. If you don't want to post something that helps others bond with policies, then you make that choice.

I can appreciate those who do, as well as those who get idea's, information for thought or what ever it does for the positively.

All I hear from Long Term Members, is "an intent to silence something, yet offer no contribution that might help new members.... or those who may think of joining the party and come here simply to read and become inspired.

Tell us, how did your comment help that???

[Squinch]

37. You've contributed nothing either. You are simply trying to re-invent the same wheel that has

already been made. But those who already made it managed to do it without dropping republican slurs like "elitist," and without insulting Democrats.

So once again, go read the platform. Educate yourself. And stop insulting others who are telling you that what you are asking for already exists.

[charlyvi]

38. +1 zillion n/t

[Civic Justice]

40. Selective Amnesia and Selective Reading is interesting.

You purposefully, missed the point... NEW MEMBERS ARE JOINING ALL THE TIME !!! NEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN POLITICALLY INVOLVED OR POLITICALLY CONCERNED ARE BECOMING SO EVERYDAY ...... THEY DON'T ALL KNOW WHAT YOU MAY KNOW... PEOPLE WHO MAY EVEN THINK ABOUT LEAVING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, OR THE INDEPENDENTS MAY BE LOOKING EVERYDAY, AT INTEREST TO "FIND OUT, LEARN OR SEEK TO KNOW" WHAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS ABOUT AND WHAT ARE SOME OF ITS POLICY CONCERN.

You keep grandstanding, but contributing nothing to the theme Title Of The Thread.... Nothing to support those I mentioned above, who may be open to join in and those who are seeking a party to identify with. If you don't care for the thread, then you as you know can create any and many as you like. you are supporting doing exact what you are criticizing Trump for, which is "only talking to his base", you are making the same "mistake Hillary's campaign made, by "not going and pushing the message so others who are seeking who come from area's that may be Red States, can learn more about what Ideals that Democrats are seeking.

How many "Millions of American's That Did Not Vote".... We need as many of those as we can get, and we need content that helps them see what we are looking for... and many people come to forums, not to patronize each other, but to hopefully, inspire others, share information, promote ideals and seek means to build unity and bond.

I'm fine if I get even "one" to embrace Democratic Ideals who may have never thought they could or would.... I'm interested in people who have ideals and thoughts about what is important to them, to share it with others.....

Now, what your objective is in attacking this thread, I have no idea.

GEEZ!!!!

[Squinch]

41. THEN THOSE NEW MEMBERS SHOULD READ THE PLATFORM, BECAUSE IT IS WHAT

YOU ARE YELLING FOR EVERYONE TO CREATE AND IT HAS ALREADY BEEN CREATED.

AND YOU SHOULD STOP YELLING AT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE POINTING THAT OUT TO YOU.

If you want to know how to advance the Democratic agenda, which is already very well thought out and well stated in the platform, read grantcart's post upthread and do what he suggests.

[alarimer]

32. That's not a bad start.

Pro-unions, pro-environment (not a contradiction, actually), pro-choice, pro-reform police and prisons, anti-charter schools, pro-tax the shit out of rich people, etc.

Those things are what I look for in general. Making rich people and corporations pay their fair share ought to be top of the list. Cutting military spending by a considerable amount is good too.

[Civic Justice]

33. Thank you, for Contributing Points of Great Value !!!

[Civic Justice]

42. Very Good -Link to an OP

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210433975#post2

[Civic Justice]

43. The importance of 'controlling the narrative

Last edited Sat Mar 31, 2018, 10:29 AM - Edit history (1)

Among the most prevalent and up-to-date phrases in business, politics and savvy American life is "controlling the narrative."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/2013/12/29/mayor-elect-de-blasio-controls-his-daughters-story/4220773/

We are in a 'reactive phase to a Republican Narrative, made of much Drama, Deflection, Distraction, Lying, Denying, Violating Laws and Usurping Governance among the many "daily narrative spins that dominate the media, in its incessant three day spins, and on to the next and the next....
When fact is: We already, know they are guilty of these things, we know Trump is guilt of the things being addressed....

Yet, the Narrative that Dominates is "Republican Narrative and Our Reactions To It"......

I'm interested in "OUR NARRATIVE"..... and Making it Wide Spread as to "WHAT DO WE WANT" being discussed in the circles of citizens and to Control That Narrative by discussing "What Do We Want and to use it to Counter the Republican Narratives, not just be with a succession of slap stick "reactions" to the Republican Narratives.

I want to see and have the discussion going on within the general public arena about "Our Narrative". "not a daily consumption only about the Drama, Deflection, Distraction, Lying, Denying, Violating Laws and Usurping Governance among the many "daily narrative spins that dominate the media. We need dialog to turn the tables of republican narratives and get people to talking about the "details of what is Democratic Ideals and the ways and details of how we can make it better". Including discussion of how to build upon and expand the Democratic Ideals which are categorized in the 2016 Campaign. Going into the second year since the election, we can expand upon the ideals we sought to promote in 2016, and we can spread the conversation to embrace the details of ideals that people have, in relation and growth of the Ideals that are part of the Democratic Platform.

We must!!! If we look with eyes that seek the truth, we will see the loss of too much as we see the claimed democrats who voted Republican and the claimed Democrats who voted Independent, Green Party and what ever other means they gravitated away from the Democratic Party's Ideals and Policies, to the point some simply did not vote.


Example of Success in Controlling The Narrative:

I applaud the Parkland Young People, "they control their Narrative" and they take the time to "tell people what their views are based upon, what their feeling are, how they see the laws, and what of change they want to see, and how they can perform if these changes are not forthcoming".... They have engaged a very large segment of society to 'have conversations that interact about, the damages of weapons in the wrong hands, the dangers and the lack of need for assault weapons in society"...
Their examples should be a very good indicator as to how to "Put forth the Narrative and Promote It" !!! They took their Narrative into the "Republican Center, within the White House, and they did not back off their Narrative. They pushed it right in the middle of the Republican Dominance of the Media, and their Narrative Stands its Place. Their Narrative included the Diversity of "ALL" young people, and they included the areas relative to
All People within general society. Their Narrative was with such strength in how it was communicated, they included to push new understanding for many who did not, of how to respectfully interpret Black Lives Matter. They young women stood up within this, and declared a stand of women as being equally viable voices demanding to be equally heard without measure of comparison to male voice, they pushed forth as "United Voices"...
The power of their Narrative, has the Media now discussing the Supreme Court Justice's from Scalia on Gun Regulation
http://www.newsweek.com/antonin-scalia-ronald-reagan-supreme-court-orlando-shooting-newtown-sandy-hook-472460

“Nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill, or laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings, or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms.”

The late justice also more generally offered the belief that “like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited.” It is “not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.”

.... to Justice Stevens who spoke about "the need for re addressing the language of the 2nd Amendment.

https://www.npr.org/2018/03/27/597259426/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-calls-for-repeal-of-second-amendment
https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/03/john-paul-stevens-2nd-amendment-call-one-good-point/

They did not sit on their hands and butts and say... "Oh' there's laws already on the books", "they did not sit on their hands and claim, "Oh' other have done that before, as if that was suppose to be enough. Their VOICES put the Narrative in the Minds of People in ways that the people can understand and connect with. Their organizing skills drew mass support for their Narrative, and in the State of Florida, they got the governing body to "act" !!!! Their Narrative has opened these discussion that have the interest again to look even closely at the positions of Supreme Court Justices, and even deeper at the Failure of Congress to Act.

The importance of "controlling the narrative" !!!! starts with dialogue and details about and of dialog, and getting the conversation in the interactions of the people.....

[betsuni]

44. When in April the sweet showers fall

And pierce the drought of March to the root, and all
The veins are bathed in liquor of such power
As brings about the engendering of the flower,
When also Zephyrus with his sweet breath
Exhales an air in every grove and heath
Upon the tender shoots, and the young sun
His half-course in the sign of the Ram has run,
And the small fowl are making melody
That sleep away the night with open eye
(So nature pricks them and their heart engages)
Then people long to ask What is the Democratic Narrative?

[kentuck]

45. Thou shall not give them more than they can swallow.

There is a time and place for everything.

This is no time to debate the "Democratic Narrative" as the enemy is devouring himself and his supporters in a grand Bachnalian glut.

[Civic Justice]

46. the time to discuss the narrative is always Now...

If as some claim its established, the "discussion can empower it, and certainly does not take away from it"...


We watched the Republican's Control the Narrative on ACA with Attacks of Every Sort and Type, and for 6 yrs, .... yet, when they got in Office Position... "They had No Plan"... because their narrative though it dominated the media.... had no details, it proposed no workable ideals, and when they tried to push a Narrative of Program... it fell flat, beause the premise of their original narrative was to destroy it!!!, so when they got in power, they could only promote a Destructive program as aimed policy, because that was the focus of their Narrative.

When the people had to face the truths of what they had not give much positive thought, they were shocked awake to be driven to see the narrative of ACA's benefits.

Yet, if we had been dominantly unrelenting to promote the Narrative of Benefits of the Program, with "solid unity"... more information and better understanding would have existed long before the people were forced to see the benefits, only when they were faced with the devastation proposed by Republican... When that came to be, many republican protested against the destruction of ACA...

[betsuni]

47. I didn't even attempt to read this "Democratic Narrative."

Was just making fun of it. I'm sad I have to add a sarcasm thing to my post. DUH.

[blake2012]

50. Oh, not this fucking baseless attack again

[Civic Justice]

51. The OP is about People Ideals Matter, as does their narratives in how we achieve Platform Goals.

People who missed the point of this OP Thread, seem not to grasp that it is in line with the Democratic Platform,

it was written to bring "IDEAS" as to HOW... to achieve these things and what new ideas people have about additional means and methods to achieve the platforms goals, and to INSPIRE a Narrative of Discussion about "IDEAS" as to HOW, and what DETAILS individuals have about what can be included in "how we pursue the ideals".

(It's not enough to just say "for example: "Supporting Community Health Centers" but "WHAT IDEAS CAN BENEFIT "HOW" we improve and support them, will always matter to the People.)
Thus so, the Idea presented was "inclusive of funding for more testing units, broader empowerment of Nurse Practitioners and etc.... that's "engaging "Ideas and How to's" as a interactive Narrative about Platform Objectives".

When Platform Goals and Belief's is not open to hear peoples ideas, it does not serve well to endear people in ways that it could, if only it listen. Its important to at least hear How people think things can be achieved, it can lead to disenchantment about what is to be achieved if people think their thoughts are no heard. People ideas matter, even if they are only heard and not acted on in detail... people care to be heard. We can go anywhere in this nation, and people complain about "how" things are done, as much as they complain about what is not done, therefore, people need to voice their thoughts. Then they are more open to learn and even accept if things are done in a way different from how they think it could be done.

The ones who care not to hear peoples Idea, can move on to post that interest them, I for one am interested in the ideas as to "how" and "means and ways" we can achieve the Platform Objectives. I believe everyone's voice matters in how we consider our steps forward and the means which we make those steps.

I've worked in government jobs and oversaw and monitored grant supported programs, and seen some of the challenges as well as some of the missteps in how some municipalities as well as some non profits function; and how ideas for improvements can be stifled. I've had direct comm with HUD people, who oversaw regions and districts, and I've watched people struggle with programs, and how often programs are forced to result to using Paid Consultants who give rubber stamping to confounding methodology. I know the impact of "under-performing programs can hurt future funding", especially when results don't translate back up to congressional people who authorized and supported funding. I know first hand the value of "ideas". As I've worked categories, where I've heard people say... "we tried that before", and I always say, then we will try it again, and lets review the first trial and see how we modify to purse again. I've made great changes in private industry that worked on a global level, as well as how government grant programs can be improved to meet objectives.

Therefore, people trying to stifle the "narrative discussions about "ideas and how, and what might be methods and ways to reach objectives... to me is not only counter productive. It tries to limit the discussion only to the "big picture scope of Governments massive Divisions, rather than address ideas that common people have of "means and ways" on the function level to improve and modify how we achieve the objectives set forth in the Platform. "Everybody Matters", and the more we grasp that, the more cohesive we become. But to try and "silence people" or stifle ideas of people, does not endear them to the Party's Platform, nor does it benefit promoting the Narratives that can being the Platforms Objectives.




There are many people.... EVERYDAY who are coming to the party and care to discuss the Narrative and Its details, and the more that do, the better it is for the party and the better it is for people to truly understand how they can be contributors to the Platform, without trying to leave everything to Governance. President Obama, told people that when he won, he said... He can't do it Alone, that it takes 'everyone's help". People did not hear him or if they did they did not listen to become embraced with his statement, otherwise, there would not have been an erosion of vote support that cost us to loose the house and senate to Republican control.

Even with ACA, the Platform backing was there, but the public Democratic Narrative Among people, got distorted and diluted and even stifled as a communication of narrative among Democrats, and instead got hammered by the incessant Republican Narrative to Destory it. Even Democratic people fell victim and began to doubt the program, even as they could see that republican were doing "everything" they could to attack it from "every angle" they could, with incessant media coverage on their narrative of "attack and disdain and hatred for the program".... when we should have promoted incessant Democratic Narratives for the people to promote via interactive engagements of discussions of its benefits. Rather than, talking only about the republican dominance of narrative, with slap stick comments, rather than substantive dialog in our communities, household and in our counties and districts all over America. We some how took it for granted, that its law, and its there, when we had means to cement it into every region and district of this nation, and hold our politicians accountable to promote even more second and third tier supporting legislation at the state and local levels, in our community districts and within the cities as a whole. Yet the Republican promoted "doubt and aims to defeat" promotions by every means they could, relentlessly.



Those who grandstand of their knowing's, don't do any service to those who seek to become interactive about the narratives of discussion and ideas they have, nor do they benefit those who want to make the details of the narrative a part of their interactive dialog within their social circles.

We have a mass of youth, who are not at all satisfied with the current mess we have with Trump in Office and Republicans in Congress, and want to discuss, engage and share interactive the values within and of the Democratic Narrative.

These trolling acts of attack that continue to attack; don't do anything to promote "information sharing", "nor do they do anything to promote an "active culture of narrative discussions and promotion of the narrative and its details, new ideas and new methods and how to, support the full spectrum that goes into details of what the platform outlines. Details help people think of how to have and promote Interactive Narratives which reflects how it fits with their lives, as demonstrated by the "Parkland Youth"....

We suffered in 2016 because many Democrats that lived in Red States and Red Counties, had no promoted Democratic Narrative in their areas, it is quite likely, if such had been...maybe some who were "undecided" may have been prompted to not only decide but may have been able to attract others, who were not comfortable with Candidate Trump or the Republican Narrative. History has shown that people who are Republican do have members who vote for Democratic Candidates, the same as people who are Democratic Vote sometimes for Republican Candidates.

Anyone who cares not to discuss these things, are not obligated to, they can move on to a thread that interest them to engage positively.

By now, they should have grasp the fact, they will not deter me, from discussing Democratic Narratives and Trying to get even more people to INTERACTIVELY discuss Democratic Narrative. "Everybody's Voice Matters in What is the Democratic Narrative and What they Want.... Therefore, let none silence you, nor seek to intimidate you into silence.
Every Vote Matters, and the thoughts that lead people to Vote, Matters; How the Narrative expands in touching their lives Matters....

Nothing in the Platform said anything about... How to get regional banks to develop "Category Home Loans", that benefit the lower income regions where homes are in the 30-40-60-70K range... Nothing in the Platform said, anything about developing programs in FHA, that covers lending for Home that fall under 350K.. which could have also include a provision that simply move the banks out of any homes that fall under 350K.... Nor did it discuss how that 'earned interest on those loans, would strengthen HUD and FHA... Nor did anything discuss how this could "shut down the banks from playing the foreclosure game upon and against people who face a temporary challenge. These are "Ideas with concept of details'.... that can be beneficial to improving "home ownership in communities" that is in direct line with the Platform's aspirations to Strengthen Communities.

Nothing talked about the idea I presented for a "Civic Corp" that would benefit youth who may not attend college or university, nor the benefits of a civic corp that train and equip and provide opportunity to young people from everything from "cleaning up industrial blight", "Business closure and dilapidated properties, to border patrol, to disaster assistance and disaster recovery and rebuilding, to recycling and every category of thing that challenges us as a nation. Those are ideas and details about how we can achieve the objectives of the Platform. This is a very functional way to truly involve people not just to support the Platform, but to see how they can be a part of what makes the Platform objectives address the multitude of particulars that concern people, communities, our governance and how our politician function. It involves the people in the process far and beyond their vote. Involved people are far less easy to sway away, or become disenchanted, and certainly not easy to be overcome by "Drama based Attack Campaigning".

Many cities suffer from "old housing" that they can't afford to "tear down", not only is funding limited, and some housing programs, support many rehab for elderly, but in the concept of building affordable housing is with many challenges, and Today, with a rapidly aging society, we need interest in building more "Elderly Care Housing".... surely the Platform speaks of the elderly and the need for the quality of life to be met with quality standards. But it cost... and through the fact that we have much land that cities do have ownership of, much can be cleared by a Civic Corp, and then be suitable to attract the investment dollars to build these quality Elderly Care Facilities, and the Civic Corp can train more and more people in the integrity of "Elderly Care"....

Therefore, details matters and the ideals of people matter in promoting the Platform of the Democratic Party, and the more those ideas are interchanged, then the Democratic Narrative becomes common interactive conversation.

If you choose to disagree that's your choice, but trying to stop others from talking about "Ideas and means as to How to, achieve the objective of the platform and make the narrative interactively engaging serves no positive function.

Everything that exist in America and in the world that is man made and man designed began as an Idea... and when those ideas became the narrative of individuals and groups, things become made into reality.

[Poiuyt]

53. This is what I'd like to see for a Democratic platform:

1. Healthcare — Medicare for all
2. Wealth equality — Enact tax policies whereby those who are most able, pay the most. Bring the top rate back to Eisenhower levels
3. Protect the environment — Enact regulations to keep our air and water clean
4. Climate change — Use research based policies to use alternative fuels and keep greenhouse gases to a minimum
5. Evolution in school — Teach real science in school
6. Military spending — Spend money efficiently
7. Create jobs —
8. Rebuild infrastructure — Use federal funds to rebuild crumbling roads, bridges, utilities, etc.
9. Veterans affairs — Give our vets the respect they deserve
10. Woman’s rights — Respect ALL women, remove the glass ceiling, make abortion easily available to those who so choose
11. Gun control — Enact sensible gun regulation (ban assault weapons)
12. Campaign finance reform — Eliminate Citizens United, dark money
13. Electoral College — Abolish the EC or make it ineffective through the National Popular Vote
14. Science and research — Make science, research, and technology a priority to bring the U. S. back to lead the world
15. Organized labor — Recognize the value of labor unions and the contributions to our workforce that they have given
16. Education and college — Increase funding to public schools so they can hire the best teachers in the world. Make it affordable for anyone to go to college
17. Make America GOOD again!

[oberliner]

54. This is a great post

Lots to read and digest and contemplate.