Please nominate top "stories" to watch from bushco in Jan-March

[salin]

The point is to get more people watching news as it unfolds, as then they will be more savvy and aware of the real facts rather than the followup or buildup pr/spin from the whitehouse/congress and their media echo chamber.

These should be issues that we can see/predict will be early policy pushes by bushco - and issues that will have an impact on citizens.

The idea is to start getting those around us following the "news" as it unfolds. Much of the information we have at DU, is from, at its origins, the mainstream media. The information is out there - it just gets covered in spurts - or in a very diffused way (one item in the Chicago Tribune... a related later item in the LA TImes... a somewhat related item but with additional information in the Washington Post... etc.) What we do at DU, often, is pull the stories together and discuss them as they unfold over time - referencing back to the earlier items so that we have, collectively, a more comprehensive understanding/knowledge.

I suggest that we select a few stories to follow. Talk with people we know who may be fence sitters - find which of those stories have a hook for each person - and start feeding them with those news items as they unfold.

The process would both increase real awareness of the actions of bushco - and build more serious skepticism of how the bushco acts/spins/etc. - while deflating the view that pointing out these things after the fact are just "spewing venom" "like both sides do..."

Let me start the way:
1. HHS cuts in Medicare are likely (says the news today) will hit a whole lot of people... and given the pandering on the Medicare prescription drug program - they will have to spin hard their rationale for the cuts...

2. New Tax cuts - probably sold by some other name. The goal pushed is to allow more tax shelters (for those with enough money to shelter taxes) with the recognition (finally) that these new cuts will have to be "revenue neutral".... so where do they neutralize the planned new breaks for the rich? Whitehouse discussion a month ago tipped the hat: ending the tax deduction for local/state taxes... AND cutting out the corporate tax break for providing health insurance coverage for employees. Given that the latter (with HUGE potential impact) was barely a ripple in the news coverage... I would guess that the trial balloon would be deemed a success - so following this story could get a whole lot of mileage (creating awareness that of what they plan to do - though I predict that they will be forced to back off.... )

Other nominations?

[rurallib]

1. Cheyney resigns due to health

Gives **** a chance to pick his successor.

[salin]

2. snippets of reports per his health

do point in this direction.

[juliagoolia]

3. Something like that going on.

would be perfect candidates for OPRA - Americans' for Common Sense that issues weekly handbills on topic the public should be outraged about.

Here is the link to find out more.
http://aethern.dailykos.com/story/2004/12/13/2550/7059

Operation: Red Alert - Join the Resistance
by Aethern

Sun Dec 12th, 2004 at 23:05:50 PST

For those of you who don't know, Operation: Red Alert is an effort that has been started right here at dKos. Basically, we craft short, concise messages that highlight news items that attack Republicans (and potentially faux-democrats) and/or market Democratic principles, distribute them through an email list, and post them on local bulletin boards. Our target audience is people who don't pay much attention to the news, and who vote based on that 'gut instinct' thing.
We have only just begun, and early reports from members of OpRA have been encouraging. People are stopping to read our messages, and as the effort grows, we may really have a positive effect on the electorate. Join us today, and help us wake the sleeping giant known as the people.

More below...

[salin]

5. hadn't seen this

perhaps some joint effort (push stories their direction... use their fliers to post and give out.)

Thanks...

[salin]

4. Elections in Iraq

the timing, the outcome, and the US response... especially if a newly elected leader asks the US to leave - as Allawi has made noise about doing if he and his party were to end up on top of the election heap.