I think two brilliant points have been made so far...

[cms424]

Carol Braun pointing out that local control of schools has led to great schools in wealthy areas and inferior schools in poor areas - that the failure is not in the public school system itself, but in the distribution of funds.

Howard Dean reminding Kucinich that a health care plan (or any other plan, for that matter) is only good if it's able to pass Congress. I shake my head at some of the things these candidates propose...they sound great but they are only as good as Congress Republicans are willing to compromise.

[Cleita]

1. Which is why I support Dean.

I believe that a health plan will pass Congress if Dean is elected President. Even though the other candidates have admirable plans as well, it will take the dedicated doctor to make it a reality, not stuck on the back burner like Clinton did after being shot down by the GOP.

[liberalnurse]

2. Ditto here.......

Realistic and sincere at making America "our country".

I love Howard Dean.

[Turkw]

8. The health care debacle was HUGE, so big all the democrats have been

running from big issues since then. Do not underestimate just how damaging that was. The Republicans used the differences in the Democratic part against itself, blocked every single piece of legislation sponsored by a Democrat, regardless of worth. Then used the lack of progress, wedge issues, and the false spin about health care to win control of congress. They went for power over the helping the country and have never looked back, doing so today more than ever.

[revcarol]

3. One little question:

How can YOU and WE change the dynamic? Will YOU work for more Democrats in Congress?

And would you be part of the moves to get new Democratic a base of educated voters for new initiatives? The Presidential power of the bully pulpit and education must have all of our support.

Are we supposed to just be happy with same-o, same-o that the Republicans will "allow" us to pass?

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. We need to win 5 Senate elections

in the South and Clark has the coattails to do that.

12 * 2 & 1

12 * 2 & 1 remember that. We need 12 Reps, 2 Senators and 1 president! Clark!

[Lobo_13]

11. And what evidence do you have for that?

It's rather presumptious to say that an untested candidate has coattails of any kind. Especially one who won't be able to compete financially with Bush.

Dean has already proven that he can raise extraordinary amounts of money for other Democrats. He's got a much larger organization than Clark, more money, more experience in winning elections (hasn't lost one yet.)

By every measure, Dean has larger coat tails, possibly large enough to bring a Dem majority back to the congress, which is exactly what his strategy is.

[shance]

5. Exactly. I was surprised at some of the pie in the sky quotes by Kucinich

To me, it made me think he was just saying anything to look better than Dean.

I am so discouraged by the treatment of Dean by his own party members. He should not be the focus of their criticism.

At times I even am tempted to see Dean go third party now and I never thought I would say that.

[TexasSissy]

6. Our school districts are large, so encompass poor & rich

communities.

I think it's more rural vs. urban. Believe it or not, urban districts have more homes to share the tax burden. It's the rural communities that suffer most. And they are not minority, to a large extent. So that doesn't really answer the question that was posed on her: What to do about education for minorities.

[Military Brat]

14. Rural vs. urban, not always

In Oregon, a little community by the name of Wallowa had its elementary school rated as number 1 in the state (or maybe the year before). This little school beat Portland, Eugene, Salem, all those big cities, both rich and poor. What was the difference? The administrator had many years of experience, he was dedicated to the community and the education of its children, and he had the wisdom to know what works and what doesn't. It's a priceless combination.

It isn't all about money, but I will certainly agree that money definitely helps, especially when it is spent prudently.

Edit: typo

[TexasSissy]

7. Republicans are not going to pass ANY universal health care plan.

[Terwilliger]

10. no, but that's what they are

what are Democrats? do you think UHC is a good idea?

[Terwilliger]

9. well, if that's the case, why support a Dem for president at all?

:shrug: might as well just throw in the towel and waiting for a split congress, right?

[kodi]

12. please stop using realism & pragmatism as political philosophies on DU

you are disrupting the inmates.

[xray s]

13. Do you think our current system of health ins. is realistic and pragmatic?

It is killing our economy.

Republicans won't pass UHC? Then defeat Republicans.

[kodi]

15. i am for a NHP but i don't think we can get it all at once.

we are not going to be able to jump from the system we have now to a NHP immediately. in the interim i am willing to work towards a plan that covers as many people as possible with the the current system.

this demands government legislation to help the 45 M not covered currently get into the current system as soon as possible.

no one thinks that we can change from the private health care system we have now to a NHP "overnight," nor can anyone even guess how long it will take and what political compromises will have to be made to get there.

in the meantime, in that "Realist & Pragmatist" twilight where all but a few of us spend our lives, we have to get health care to people better than we have, and as soon as possible.

[Padraig18]

16. EVERY MD and DO I know who is voting Dem is voting for Dean.

My own doctor, a moderate Republican, will vote for dean because he says "Dean's plan is the only plan that has a realistic chance of becoming law".

[morgan2]

17. dean's health care

just adds to the corporate control of healthcare and will make it that much harder to get a good system. Expanding care to more people is good, but should be done correctly. You can't compromise on some things.