5 Democratic Ideas: Rep. Rohm Emanuel on Meet The Press

[omega minimo]

“And I think the tax policies we have in place reward the type of culture of cronyism where, in fact, what we're doing is protecting the most well off while we throw middle-class families in front of the train.”

<snip>

“That says fiscal discipline and investing in the American people by reputting people first.  The policies that the Republicans have offered have gotten us in the ditch we have today. “

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9542948/

Bush_Eats_Beef started a thread earlier (video links)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2129393
 
On Meet the Press, Tim Russert interviewed Congressmen Rahm Emanuel and Thomas Reynolds.

Rep. Emanuel laid out a FIVE POINT DEMOCRATIC PLAN for reform and advocated standards to measure “where we are” in Iraq instead of continuing to let Bush operate with a “blank check” to perpetuate incompetence.

COUNT 'EM 5! DEMOCRATIC IDEAS:

One, we make college education as universal for the 21st century that a high school education was in the 20th.

Second, we get a summit on the budget to deal with the $3 trillion of debt that's been added up in five years and structural deficits of $400 billion a year. 

Third, an energy policy that says in 10 years, we cut our dependence on foreign oil in half and make this a hybrid economy. 

Four, we create an institute on science and technology that builds for America like, the National Institutes has done for health care, we maintain our edge.

Five, we have a universal health-care system over the next 10 years where if you work, you have health care.

From the interview:

REP. RAHM EMANUEL, (D-IL): 

On Iraq, we have a false choice between stay the course and get the same results and just pull up.  I think Senator Levin laid out a very good agenda, which is we're going to have measurements.  You can't say after two and a half years, like you asked the general before, two and a half years, nearly $400 billion, and we have one Iraqi battalion?  We're going to set standards every way and measurements from the political process, economic process and also on the military and national security where Iraq has to stand up.

<snip>

REP. EMANUEL:  But the Congress has an obligation to hold a standard.  We have given the president a blank check.  It's been a rubber-stamp Congress that sent troops in there without Kevlar vests, without Humvees.  We have to have a standard in which Iraq and the administration measure up over the two years, and at that point we'll evaluate where we are.

MR. RUSSERT:  So was it a mistake for Democrats in the Senate and House to vote to authorize the war?

REP. EMANUEL:  Given the information that we were given them, they made their decision.  What has been a mistake is to let this type of administration basically run a policy of incompetence when it comes to Iraq.  Let me address, though, the future of this country.  I'll give you five quick ideas.  One, we make college education as universal for the 21st century that a high school education was in the 20th.

MR. RUSSERT:  And who pays for that?

REP. EMANUEL:  The American people, because it offers--Let me get to it. Second, we get a summit on the budget to deal with the $3 trillion of debt that's been added up in five years and structural deficits of $400 billion a year.  Third, an energy policy that says in 10 years, we cut our dependence on foreign oil in half and make this a hybrid economy.  Four, we create an institute on science and technology that builds for America like, the National Institutes has done for health care, we maintain our edge.  And five, we have a universal health-care system over the next 10 years where if you work, you have health care.  That says fiscal discipline and investing in the American people by reputting people first.  The policies that the Republicans have offered have gotten us in the ditch we have today.

MR. RUSSERT:  In order to pay for those programs, you'd consider raising taxes?

REP. EMANUEL:  I think in this time and age, when we face the challenges we have, everybody has skin in the game.  And I think the tax policies we have in place reward the type of culture of cronyism where, in fact, what we're doing is protecting the most well off while we throw middle-class families in front of the train.

[Skip Intro]

1. I'm sorry. He can't say attacking Iraq was wrong in concept, and says

health insurance should be guaranteed for those who "work."

Attacking Iraq is a great shame of this nation, it was a lie, it was bullshit, it was the death sentence to tens of thousands of Iraqis for bullshit. If he can't do better than the, "I disagree with the prosecution of the war" meme, he's full of it.

Also, health insurance should be guaranteed for all who are in this nation. No one should suffer or die due to lack of available care.

Not impressed.

[omega minimo]

2. Did you see it? It was worth checking out, even reading the transcript

for the overall performance of a Dem going toe to toe with the Neanderthal GOP nonsense.

All the Repug could say was "Tax and Spend" blah blah blah

[Skip Intro]

4. No, I didn't see it. That might account for something...

... I'll re-read his words - that's what counts in my book, tho I do love a good perfromance. Maybe I read wrongly.

On Edit - I didn't read wrongly:

------------------
MR. RUSSERT: So was it a mistake for Democrats in the Senate and House to vote to authorize the war?

REP. EMANUEL: Given the information that we were given them (what?), they made their decision. What has been a mistake is to let this type of administration basically run a policy of incompetence when it comes to Iraq. Let me address, though, the future of this country....
------------------

Why not answer the question directly? Why pass up a perfect opportunity to state the damn truth about Iraq instead of criticizing the way bush went about it?

And why are people's lives that work more important than people's lives who don't?

[rasputin1952]

8. At least with 'Tax and Spend" the money comes in to pay ...

for things; the R/neo-con notion is to "Borrow and spend" with little revenue coming into the Treasury, and a HUGE debt to pay off in the future. So much for "fiscal responsibility'...:grr:

[omega minimo]

9. Who was it said?

Republicans are "Spend and spend."

:evilgrin:

[rosesaylavee]

3. Thanks for posting, omega.

This is an important development... I look forward to hearing more about these points.

Kicked, nominated.

[calmblueocean]

5. Some good ideas there. Now we need more. And a megaphone.

It was great to hear a Democrat go beyond the usual blistering attacks on Bush to articulate a progressive vision for America. Beyond the five ideas he explicitly laid out, he also mentioned a sixth: Lobbyist and ethics reform in the US Congress.

It's a great beginning, but we need more.

First, we ought to focus on generating ideas that make things better without spending more money. Lobbyist reform is a good example. We shouldn't start by expanding government, but by making the government we already have *work*.

I think that the one of the perceptions of Democrats that's most harmful to us is that we don't care about how much things cost. I'd like to see the Democratic party propose a plan to reward efficiency in government, too. There's no reason we shouldn't be able to take some of the same tools and methods used to curb wasteful bureaucracy in the private sector and apply them to the public sector. For instance, we ought to create incentives for administrators to spend less than their budget, and incentives for them to reduce the level of bureaucracy. As it stands now, it's well understood that those who do not spend their full allocation will get less next year. We need to change that.

Call it "tightening the ship". There's money being wasted in the system right now that ought to be sending kids to college, or helping people get off drugs. We have the track record that shows we know how to hold the line on spending. The Republicans don't. We ought to use that to our advantage.

Once we take care of this, the American public will be more receptive to ideas about universal health care, college education, alternative energy, etc. We just need to show that we're committed to making a taxpayer dollar stretch just as far as corporate dollar, first.

[omega minimo]

6. Brilliant

Thanks for pointing out : He emphasized several times: "Lobbyist and ethics reform in the US Congress"

"We shouldn't start by expanding government, but by making the government we already have *work*."

Excellent. And relevant to the specifics of disaster response accountability as well as in general.

"There's money being wasted in the system" is built into the system at every level of gov't. as is "it's well understood that those who do not spend their full allocation will get less next year." Would cause a ruckus to change that. Worth it. And also, that subject would be a crowd pleaser, across party lines.

GREAT QUOTE:

"Once we take care of this, the American public will be more receptive to ideas about universal health care, college education, alternative energy, etc. We just need to show that we're committed to making a taxpayer dollar stretch just as far as corporate dollar, first. "

[omega minimo]

7. More dynamic, gutsy, prepared, articulate, positive Dem reps & Reps!

Overcaffeinated?

You could hear the synapses clicking and watch Rep. Emanuel RUN CIRCLES around the stodgy old Repug, who could only come back with,

"Tax and spend, tax and spend" like an enormous, gaseous parrot (or Dittohead)

:yourock:

[apnu]

10. I'm happy to live in his district.

I met him at my grocery store one day. He was awesome -- professional, direct and listened well. Granted I didn't have much to say to him besides 'you're on the right track' and I got the sense that he was looking more for critizim than praise. But, none-the-less he was cool. Too bad I didn't have a camera on me that day. :(

I'm lucky. I have a awesome Rep with two great Senators. And that makes me happy.

But, what makes me sad, is that I'm part of a very small group of people who have decent politicians on the Federal level. I wish our government had more good people like these guys who take their jobs seriously. However, it is all too true that the majority of our government (Democrat and Republican) is filled with sub-human animals content to save their own back sides. Until voters demand more from their politicians, things will never improve.

Go Rahm Go! Preach on my man! You're one of the few bright spots in an otherwise broken party!

[omega minimo]

11. Fantastic. We need more of this. You are fortunate

:hi:

And today, as the pResident has nominated his own lawyer (!) to SCOTUS...

"However, it is all too true that the majority of our government (Democrat and Republican) is filled with sub-human animals content to save their own back sides. Until voters demand more from their politicians, things will never improve."

My next question is how do we MAKE them listen to us?

:patriot:

"...one of the few bright spots in an otherwise broken party!"

If they roll over on this SCOTUS nominee, Congressional Democrats are OVER.

[unblock]

12. "tax cuts for the rich" as "encouraging cronyism" is a brilliant angle

[omega minimo]

14. Well prepared and VERY quick on his feet

[Stand and Fight]

13. Fantastic!

Absolutely truthful and lovely.

Now let's see those Republican baddies say we're the party of "no ideas."

Go Rohm!