My real problem with "moving to the center"

[MAlibdem]

As I see it, the concept of "moving to the center" or "becoming more welcoming of moderates" is not about changing our positions. More, it's about emphasis and posturing. This last election was all about posturing: Did Kerry overemphasize Vietnam? Would Iraq hurt Bush? Who's 527s hit harder? What about those Swiftboat Vets? etc etc. It wasn't about issues.

It wasn't about Kerry saying: this is my comprehensive system to fix the economy, save social security, and make sure all Americans have health care, as Bush liked. It wasn't about a substaintive debate about the future of Iraq and the war on terrorism, which Kerry was fine with. Instead, it was posturing, with ill-defined positions and unexplained assurances of solutions.

My problem with "moving to the center" is not about issues, because it is not an issues-related solution. It's about making people "feel" welcome in the Party even though we disagree with them. That won't work. It's more of the same.

Instead, we need to talk about and think about our issues. We need a plan for taxes and health care and social security that will solve these problems in a way that does not betray, and in fact enhances our core values, while appealing to moderates because the solutions are so damn good. Dean is right, it doesn't matter who you are, you need health care, you need something to retire on, you need to feel safe in your home and in your country. And we can find ways to assure these things that are reasonably priced and common-sensical. Because the principles of addressing social problems with common-sense, pragmatism, and solution-driven thinking, those are Democratic principles.

So let's not move anywhere. Let's be ourselves and offer something fresh. Let's re-emphasize domestic issues while addressing foreign policy issues. We need to get excited and optimistic about how our solutions will work and how America will be better because of them. We need to get by simply criticizing Bush and pointing our how or policies work better (or at all...). And so I am calling on the members of DU not simply to talk about style, not to worry about moving anywhere, but let's talk about and try to come up with solutions.

So: How do we make Social Security stronger and government-based?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Print the facts about SS

It isn't about to go bankrupt. Even the AARP pointed that out in a recednt article in their newspaper. Something that will help SS recipients and all Americans is a viable national health program, which I think needs to be stressed. And it should be government based, a non-profit way of making sure people get the care that they and their doctors recommend.

[MAlibdem]

2. I agree

I think the most basic change to SS that needs to be made is to raise the maximum amount of SS-taxable money to $200K instead of the present 80K and to reverse the Bush tax cuts. Simple, relying on money from people who need it less than those who do, and fair.

(Fuck luxury sales booming this Xmas, we need middle-class and working-class sales booming).