Democrats unveil platform: "New Direction for America"

[WilliamPitt]

'New Direction for America' platform
June 15, 2006

Negotiate lower prescription-drug prices with pharmaceutical companies for Medicare's drug program.

Fund stem cell research, increase access to healthcare

Increase science research, ensure the teaching of evolution, increase funding for community colleges.

Cut student-loan interest rates by half.

Ensure access to family planning methods and abortion, fund infant and child-care.

Increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour, increase employment benefits.

Enact funding recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Institute lobbying reform, implement balanced budgets, pay down the national debt.

Enact tax changes to benefit entrepreneurs.

Focus national security strategy to nation's borders, increase port security.

Fund more public transportation, promote environmental restoration.

Repeal subsidies for oil and gas companies to encourage renewable fuels.

SOURCE: Office of House minority leader Nancy Pelosi., www.housedemocrats.gov

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/06/15/new_direction_for_america_platform/

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Democrats to run in `New Direction'

If they win in fall, party will pursue aggressive agenda

By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | June 15, 2006

WASHINGTON -- If Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives this fall, they are vowing to pursue an aggressive agenda in their first week in power that would hike the minimum wage, slash interest rates on student loans, and install a new package of restrictions on lobbying activities that is designed to increase accountability in government.

House Democratic leaders hope the ``New Direction" platform they outlined yesterday will persuade voters to select Democratic candidates in this fall's mid-term congressional elections. Though House Democrats bristle at comparisons to Republicans' 1994 ``Contract With America," the wide range of domestic proposals represent an answer to the GOP's oft-repeated charge that Democrats lack ideas for governing.

``This is a unified Democratic message," House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said yesterday in an interview. ``This is a national message about core values that the Democratic Party will fight for and take us in a new direction. Democrats are wedded to that. It defines us, rather than have the Republicans define us."

Democrats need to pick up 15 seats in the 435-member House to take control of the legislative chamber that shifted to Republican hands in the 1994 elections. Analysts say Democrats could take those seats if voter anger fuels an anti-incumbent wave, but they caution that the small number of politically competitive districts make s such gains extremely difficult.

Republicans quickly attacked the Democratic platform as a collection of nice sounding ideas that will harm the economy and force tax increases.

More: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/06/15/democrats_to_run_in_new_direction/