General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Democratic Party National Platform for 2016
... will almost certainly not look like the one I'm going to suggest, but it should, and I'll tell you why.
Our party should run a national campaign on three simple issues ...
Enrich and expand Social Security
Medicare for All, including dental, optical, hearing, mental health, and elderly services
Raise the minimum wage
This gets paid for with smart cuts to defense spending and tax increases on the wealthiest.
Keep it that simple.
That's the plan, here's why I think it will work.
First of all, three is the number of issues most voters can/will remember. This is a hard-and-fast rule in writing business proposals, strategic plans, etc. and it's wise to hold to it.
More importantly, these three plans, at this macro level, are understandable at the voter level.
Further, a more complex plan must be defended at every point. This plan ends up getting debated not at the should-we-or-shouldn't-we level, but at the "how much" level.
Finally, this is a plan that will work when implemented. This would have an enourmous boost on our economy while directly helping virtually every single American (sorry 1%).
Let individual candidates also endorse other positions locally, but these three should be a nation-wide campaign.
So, have at it.
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)Wilson: 14 Points
FDR: 4 Freedoms
Scuba: 3 Platform Points
You're onto something here, I think.
Although any list of 3 is a bit much for Republicans.
(LAUGHTER)
PAUL: Five.
PERRY: Five. Okay. Commerce, Education, and the --
[UNKNOWN]: EPA?
PERRY: EPA. There you go.
Q: Seriously -- is EPA one you are talking about?
PERRY: No, sir, no, sir. We are talking about the -- agencies of government -- EPA needs to be rebuilt.
Q: You can't -- you can't name the third one?
PERRY: The third agency of government I would -- I would do away with Education, the --
Q: Commerce.
PERRY: Commerce and, let's see. I can't. The third one, I can't. Sorry. Oops.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/09/rick-perry-forgets-agencies_n_1085249.html
I think that's why they boiled their platform down to one simple principle:
"Fuck everybody."
Basic LA
(2,047 posts)Covers the top 3 points very simply. Everything else is up for debate, but not these. Would be an amazing thing.
IDemo
(16,926 posts)Not to mention endangering America!!11
If you can't even kill Abrams tanks that the military doesn't want, you've a tough row to hoe.
But you can't think of a single idea that doesn't have at least a dozen lies against it. (Which is what they have.)
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)To do such a thing, minority voters would have to trust the rest of you. We don't. I assume that you mean what people in this thread are saying 'everything else is negotiable' which means my rights, police abuse, women's right to reproductive choice, all of it is on the table.
cheapdate
(3,811 posts)Obviously, I'd prefer to add abolishing private ownership of land, revoking limited-liability corporate charters for all private, commercial enterprises, and enshrining protection for the living environment as our highest national priority. But I'm sure that's a fight for another day. Baby steps.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)dissentient
(861 posts)The Democratic party definitely needs to go back to its roots, and start talking about these kinds of issues front and center.
And it would be a very popular campaign, I think.
phantom power
(25,966 posts)Dar Eckert
(1 post)So simple for 2016 the slogan should be "drumroll"
Party of the People!
Working for HUMANITY!
What has your Senator/Congressman/Candidate done for you lately?
I see on bumper stickers Democratic Party crossed out with red X replaced by People's Party