Contract With America

[Sgent]

Say what you will about Newt, but he is possibly one of the best politions in recent memory. As many here have talked about, congressional approval is in the dumps. However, we still have to turn that into an idea in the people that we will do better. It was the contract in 1994 that did this for the Republicans -- when congressional democrats were at an all time low. My proposed contract:

Democratic Contract With America

We the undersigned, the Senators, Representatives, and candidates for those offices, agree to vote on the following items within 100 days, if we achieve a majority in the House of Representatives, Senate, or Both.

1) The reform of government contracting including the elimination no-bid contracting for periods longer than 6 months.

2) The reform HAVA, requiring that in federal elections, all voting the vote must be independently verifiable and electronic ballots must be voter verified.

3) A reform the Patriot Act, to require that searches of private records and taping of phone conversations may only be performed with judicial consent.

4) A new Privacy Act, which will insure that all persons will have the rights of privacy of their person, effects, and associations with others, except for a judicial warrant specifying the name and specific items being searched for, and in no case allowing the breaking of privilege of physician patient, attorney client nor spiritual advisor penitent.

5) A Prisoner of War Reform Act, providing that all POW’s or enemy combatants will be treated as required under the Geneva Conventions of which the US is signatory too. In addition, such persons who have suffered violation of their rights under the Convention will have redress in District Courts.

6) A Congressional Oversight of Intelligence Activities Act, which will require that the Senate and House Intelligence Committees, will have access to all information requested, and that no need to know nor secrecy rules prevent needed access. All information will be provided simultaneously to both the Chair and Ranking Member of the respective House and Senate Committee’s.

7) A Serviceman Protection Act, which will prevent capital expenditures by the DOD on any new bases or buildings until all serviceman in an area of hostility have access to any personal equipment needed for their safety and the safety of the mission – including armored vehicles and kevlar vests.

8) A Health Care Expansion Act, allowing all businesses under 50 persons and individuals to buy into the Federal Employee Health Insurance fund at a fixed cost by state. This will also require all businesses to carry health insurance on all employees, paying at least 50% of the cost.

9) Close the “donut” on the Medicare prescription drug act.


Discuss

[Perky]

1. OK but

Here is what made the CWA a watershed event.

It attacked an entrenched institution...namely Congress. It tapped a a huge vein that was really across part lines and was quite populist in its appeal.

It can't be overtly partisan because you want to put the GOP on the defensive. If you give a typical Democratic laundry list it becomes divisive rather than galvanizing


The vein in the same this time..


1) Restoring Fiscal Sanity Act
2) Protect our troops or bring them home.
3) End the Haliburton Monopoly
4) Reform the Patriot act.
5) Give our Seniors real presciption drug coverage
6) Replace our Crumbling Schools act.
7) Independent Congressional Inspector General to look at ethical issues.


As unfortunate as it may be You get into Healthcare you galvanize the opposition as well... You want to be able to cut a swath out of their base at the same time.

I understand the no-bid contract issue. but Government occasionaly needs some flexibility. The issue is Haliburton and cronyism. So call for an audit and monopooly busting measures.

SOcial Security probably has some appeal as an issure.. but protection also means strengthening that translates into potential pain for someone so I think you gain as much as you lose. Still there is no real support for Bush on the issue. Still I think we need to focus on a do-nothing Congress. Make Hastert into Mr. Frumpy and Delay into being mean spirited.

I am convinced that the House can be taken back but here is the thing.....for God's sake keep Pelosi away from the lead on this.

[Perky]

2. This is what sux about DU'ers

It like they would rather rant and rave then be bothered with silly things like a rational way to take back the House.

Alot of you are far more comnfratble in protest mode then you are in leading.

Come on people chime in here. THis was posted this morning and no one other than me has chimed in....GRRR

[mitchtv]

3. has to be simplified; in the language of a 14 year old

otherwise you are talking way above the tv watching Murkins

[Perky]

4. It can't be all one continuous rant

ABout Bush Rummy, Rush and Pat Robertson.


Is this really the best we can do.

DOes anyone here have an idea of how to take over that does not include blaming Bush for everything since the invention of Velveeta??