What the Democrats Should Do Now

[RedEarth]

What the Democrats Should Do Now
by Robert B. Reich

The 2008 Presidential campaign begins today. Whatever the Democrats do with their new-found congressional power over the next two years, it will be with the big 2008 prize in mind.

Some Democrats want to expose the malfeasance and nonfeasance of the Bush Administration – find out who really knew what and when with regard to weapons of mass destruction, Abu Graahb, Katrina, payoffs to Abramoff and all the other rot. That’s understandable, but it would be far better if Democrats used their new-found power to lay out a new agenda for America.

There’s no point digging up more dirt. Bush isn’t running again. John McCain, the Republican’s most likely choice to replace him, has distanced himself so far from the administration that no amount of dirt will soil him. Besides, the public and the media are already suffering from outrage fatigue. And the Democrats wouldn’t be credible, anyway. It will be easy for Republicans to dismiss their efforts as more of the same old partisan bickering. The fact is, the public is sick of mud-slinging. Instead of dwelling on what’s gone wrong, Democrats should focus on what to do right. For example:

..Cut the Alternative Minimum Tax so it doesn’t slam the middle class, and roll back the Bush tax cuts for the rich. ? Open Medicare to every American who needs affordable health insurance, and use Medicare’s resulting huge bargaining clout to reduce drug prices.
..Bar companies from deducting from their corporate income taxes any executive pay in excess of $1 million a year. ? Raise the minimum wage and index it to inflation.
..Reform Social Security by eliminating the ceiling on payments so people earning over $100,000 a year pay the same percent of their income as everyone else.
..Raise fuel economy standards, eliminate subsidies to the oil companies, and use the money instead for basic R&D in non-carbon based energy.
..Renegotiate the Kyoto protocols on greenhouse gas emissions. ? And while we’re at it, reaffirm the Geneva Conventions

http://www.commondreams.org/cgi-bin/print.cgi?file=/views06/1109-30.htm

[rzemanfl]

1. Excellent ideas, although the million a year limit needs fine-

tuning so that executives don't draw $999,999.99 a year from five or ten different subsidiaries.

[Greeby]

2. Getting a bit miffed at the either/or proposition I keep hearing

Surely Democratic officeholders are smart enough to at least try to do both :shrug:

[teach1st]

3. Huh?

Some Democrats want to expose the malfeasance and nonfeasance of the Bush Administration – find out who really knew what and when with regard to weapons of mass destruction, Abu Graahb, Katrina, payoffs to Abramoff and all the other rot. That’s understandable, but it would be far better if Democrats used their new-found power to lay out a new agenda for America.

Couldn't Dems do both? Crimes were committed. We don't ignore crimes. It seems to me that bringing justice to criminals and traitors can be a vital part of a new agenda for America.

And McCain distancing himself from Bush? I disagree.

[Digit]

4. Some investigations into the no-bid contracts for countless things

Re-visit the bankruptcy laws.
Put an end to the predatory lending which is happening.
Bring an end to corruption where it may still be continuing (daughters/wives/family members being on the payroll).

[whirlygigspin]

5. I can think of 9 Billion reasons

"There’s no point digging up more dirt"

...and he forgot election reform and Iraq

or maybe he just wants to build up a nice big surplus again with no election reform so the pubs can loot it again in 08.

[JDPriestly]

6. We have to discredit the GOP. Otherwise, they'll be back.

They have a shiny, bright propaganda machine and no scruples. Clinton proved that even the best Democratic president will ultimately lose out to the Republican lie machine. We didn't follow through after Nixon. We didn't really press on Iran Contra. No! No! No! This time we have to put and end to the Republican corruption. We can't afford another Republican administration pillaging our natural resources and stealing the national treasury. Robert Reich is a great guy but he is really wrong on this one. And I'm normally very forgiving.

[Swagman]

7. all of that -and expose the liars.