what's our message?

[ulysses]

As a party. November is coming.

What's our message?

[SlipperySlope]

1. Message = vote for us

[ulysses]

2. and the obvious retort...

why?

[SlipperySlope]

5. Because

Because we are the party of:

* Protection for workers
* Equality in society
* Restoration of your gun rights
* Universal health care
* Energy independence
* Flat taxes
* Environmental stewardship
* Protection of your privacy
* Helping our young attend college
* Defending a woman's right to choose

[ulysses]

7. we're the party of flat taxes???

Since when?

[SlipperySlope]

10. since now

Time for some real change; the republicans haven't done anything to simplify our tax code. Let's take it all out in one fell swoop.

No tax forms will even be needed; just have the IRS take 20% (or whatever) of the total payroll from all forms. Flat, simple, fair. Ends loopholes too.

[sendero]

12. No thanks on flat taxes...

... that is unfair to the poor and about 2/3rds of the middle class.

The tax code needs work, but not that kind of work.

[SlipperySlope]

16. not unfair if...

It doesn't need to be unfair, you take care of redistribution (if any) on the services side.

Set the rate high enough and you can guarantee universal health, daycare, college, etc.

[sendero]

19. And while we're at it..

... let's pass a law against foul odors and mean people.

Half of the idea behind a "flat tax" has merit. That half, eliminating virtually all deductions, might be useful. Never mind that the Congress will NEVER DO IT, because the tax code is one of the main ways they pass out perks to their contributors.

The other half, the "flat rate", is useless and is not part of the problem. I could make a "progressive flat tax" that had no deductions with graduated rates, and you could figure your taxes on a calculator in 30 seconds.

[ulysses]

13. oh, on your say-so. ok.

20%? In other words, a tax hike on the poor and a tax break on the wealthy. Yup, that's us.

[Capn Sunshine]

15. it would be a noble jester

VOTE FOR US

[ulysses]

17. indeed it would.

:D

[Dr Fate]

3. I wish: Healthcare for all Children, BIG Middle-class tax cuts, plus...

"A defense policy based on honesty" and "College or Job training for everyone."

All funded by tax increases on Ken Lay, Exxon & Paris Hilton.

That would be it if I were the king.

[ulysses]

4. fair enough.

I guess I'm really wondering why it is that I don't know what our message is, though.

[Dr Fate]

6. Because they have yet to poll the NASCAR dads?

That would be my guess.

[ulysses]

8. nah - it'll be the Cockfight Cousins year this year.

:silly:

[waiting for hope]

9. I hear you...

I have been a Dem since I was 18 - I feel like my values and beliefs haven't changed but some jackass' in Congress have lost their way.....We need a unified front and getting back to the grassroots of the party - Howard Dean has the understanding and conviction - let's hope he gain help to forward the momentum...

[Maraya1969]

28. That is it! I am getting tired of people saying we don't have a plan

The plan is get rid of that ridiculous tax cut, stop the drug companies from gouging us, provide more incentive for alternative fuel, increase spending for education, keep getting rid of the criminals that take money from the government. Try to use DIPLOMACY to fix foreign relations. Remember when the president used to try and help people to get along instead of running around like a thug causing more and more hysteria and violence?

And plenty more...........

The Democrats DO HAVE A PLAN. This bullshit that we don't is a right winged talking point that a lot of Democrats have accepted and parroted. It needs to stop.

[Armstead]

11. What's the Frequency Kenneth?

[ulysses]

14. *pokes around for REM CD in order to banish earworm*

[madfloridian]

18. Here is Dean's answer on when the message is coming out.

This is what he said on AAR last Sunday. Thanks for Renee in Ohio for this part of the transcript.

"Bender: How do we get people to understand that these people continue to invoke 9/11 on national security and have yet done nothing to make us safer?

Dean: Well, this is actually something that I'm learning the hard way. You know, I rail against injustice and lies and stuff like that, and there's no more dishonest person in the government than Karl Rove, and that's saying something in this government. But the truth is, in some ways we can't respond to it. We have been attacking them because we get so indignant when they lie through their teeth. The truth is, we have to say what our values are. The reason people like this get reelected is because we don't provide an alternative. We have to have a *real* alternative, and we can foam at the mouth as much as we want to about how dishonest and incompetent they are--and they are--but we *absolutely* have to say what we would do differently. We have to tell people what *our* values are. Not just honesty, but balancing the budget--we have to be the party of "our brother's keeper". They're not, they're the party of selfishness, and we have to contrast that we're the party where we all hang together as Americans.

Bender: Governor, is there a Democratic "Contract with America" in the offing?

Dean: Yes.

Bender: When will we see that?

Dean: That is a matter of some dispute and discussion, but you'll see one. Let's not forget we've got a lot of time, and Newt Gingrich did not put his out until the September before the election, so I don't want to wait that long, but we think there's wide agreement among the leadership of the Democratic party that we do want a very plain, easy to understand layout of what we will do within the first hundred days when we take back Congress.

Bender: You've asked, going back to the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, that people sign a petition in time for the State of the Union. I believe that petition is at Democrats.org/honesty.

Dean: Oh, you're even better at this than I am! (Laughs) And while you're at it, buy a Democracy Bond at Democrats.org, while you're standing up for honest government."

[ulysses]

20. thanks.

I'm glad to know that Dean is talking about this, although I STRONGLY disagree that "we've got a lot of time". I'd be very interested to know what's being put up for discussion.

[Wordie]

23. I'll be looking for that...we do need it. And I'm glad Dean is at the helm

on this. That's a good thing.

[dorktv]

25. oy...I need to get on the phone with someone about this Thanks Mad!

[ladjf]

21. The government has been taken over illegally by a ruthless

band of thugs. We are going to do everything we can to take it back for all Americans.

[deflated]

22. Sorry but we can't win............

running on hate. We need a message.

[dorktv]

24. Depends on which group you are refering to. The DCCC group has no

message but the November Victory group is working on a nine-ten point PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL plan that will have pretty much what you all want.

We have to write out the policy papers, the talking points and get slogans but we HAVE got a plan.

We also are not going to reveal it until closer to the election with the hopes that will keep the media paying attention and preventing the Republicans from pretending they are going to do what we have thought up.

[skids]

26. We'll succeed on Energy, where Bush has failed.

"Americans manufacturing Energy Products for Americans"

[PBass]

27. Howard Dean can't wait until the last minute to unfurl the platform

with the way the Democrats' message gets ignored and distorted in the media. Dean needs to add a little extra buffer of time to dispell the inevitable disinformation.

[radio4progressives]

29. "We Can Do Better" (than the repugs)

;)

[Popol Vuh]

30. Our message?

Are you better off than you were before six years ago?

Is our country better off than we were six years ago?

[Cocoa]

31. change