Brainstorm issues for '06: What can we win on?

[WI_DEM]

I'd like to use this thread to brainstorm issues that maybe could be incorporated into a "contract with America" for Dems in 2006. I know plenty of people, myself at one time included, who are up to their ears in credit card debt. These big credit card companies make a fortune on high interest and assorted fees. I think Credit Card Reform is needed. I'd like to see that interest rate charges are kept to a minimum that they can't charge more than, say 6%. And also fees be kept at a minimum. No fees being imposed due to a ten day grace period--after that grace period they can impose their fees.

This is just one idea, do any of you have any other reforms/ideas that could be part of a contract with the American people of progressive/populist ideas which may resonate with the electorate?

[cassiepriam]

1. This time: GO DIRTY

What the heck, we have tried everything else.
This time have a street fight with the repugs.
Beat them at their own game. Fight dirty and to the finish.
Only them or us left standing. This is not like me,
but I have had it.

And if you really want it to get ugly, get a bunch
of us over 50 y/o women. We are mad. Our children, grandchildren
are at serious risk from the draft, longterm debt, healthcare,
and us with soc sec down the tubes.

[stellanoir]

2. functional, transparent, secure,

non-partisan-ly controlled voting machines.

Beyond that, I think total reform of the criminal justice system is in order. Why should taxpayers be paying $30,000-60,000 per year incarcerating non-violent pot heads? I think anyone guilty of non-violent crimes should be forced to to excessive community service and be fined up the wazoo.

Can you imagine what we'd save. . .?

[willysnout]

3. It's Not "Issues," Stupid

Not calling you stupid for asking, just a play on the 1992 mantra. But I think Democrats always overplay "issues" and underplay themes. The Democratic Party DESPERATELY needs to re-brand itself, or maybe to re-launch its brand. There must be a unifying theme for our issues, and our issues must be subordinate to the theme. If a Democrat can't tell herself or someone else why she's a Democrat in a single sentence, then the party has a big problem that causes the following:

- Lack of commitment by our voters
- Vulnerability to being defined by our adversary
- Drift within the party
- Too many demands placed on voters, i.e., to "know the issues"

My idea for a theme is "I am a Democrat because Democrats care about the people who make this country work." Our slogan: "Democrats Care." Every single thing we do should connect to the theme and fit the slogan, both of which should be repeated and reinforced by a massive advertising and media blitz aimed at average voters. We've got to make it a lot easier to be a Democrat. We've got to quit telling voters that they're idiots if they don't do their homework and learn all our pet issues.

The day of the Democratic "magic bullet" is over. We're not going to win elections by picking an issue. We're going to win by presenting a Democratic Party that cares about the people who make this country work.

[johnnyrocket]

4. We win after we knock people upside the head!!

And set them to thinking straight.

No spin, no slogans, lay it all out! SHOW THE GOP SCOURGE FOR WHAT IT IS!!!

[zulchzulu]

5. We need wedge issues and ATTACK

I think we need to paint (rightfully) that the Repuglicans don't like democracy.

Paint them as cheaters who have links to Diebold. Make Diebold have a severe Republican stench to it. Do ads where people are voting and some Republican-looking guy smirks and throws out their vote after they leave. Ths will put the Repugs on the defense and could be a public relations nightmare for them.

The tricks Repugs use to demonize gays, peace advocates and those "that aren't moral" need to be used on them with the same fire.

Bring up the deficit with the new debt ceiling raised with a voice vote. Bring up them voting for DeLay with a voice vote.

Another HUGE issue is going to be the Medicare reforms that will be disastrous for most seniors in 2006. This is a target 20 miles wide and 20 miles high. We have to exploit this issue starting on Bush's Inauguration Day with seniors at the event.

We have many other issues to bring up, like the war and the impending draft. There are enough clues of a draft coming to ram it down Americans' throats.

We have to be relentless, tough and go for the jugular so we can flip the numbers in the Congress and Senate. Then we can impeach Chimpy. That's the final goal.

[OneBlueSky]

6. neither issues nor branding will be of any use . . .

if we don't fix the voting system, taking it away from Republican corporations and returning it to us, the American people . . . I just posted my thoughts on this, which I hope will generate some productive discussion . . .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x63499

[Benhurst]

7. Certainly not on blackbox voting machines. If they are in place,

the party and the Republic are over.

[WI_DEM]

8. The choice of a woman to have an abortion must be protected

and our contract should explicitly say that we will oppose any judges or attempts to outlaw safe abortions.

[cattleman22]

9. Ideas

1. Balanced budget with concrete details about how it will be achieved
-specific program cuts and specific tax increases

2. Get rid of gun control from the Democratic party

About your credit card interest limitation to 6%. That would have a dramatic effect on denying many people access to credit cards. I think demonizing credit card companies is the wrong path to take. Rather, people need to be educated that credit is a tool that can be beneficial or very dangerous. By demonizing credit card companies, you make people feel like they are less responsible for their actions that caused the debt. Rather to get at the root cause, people need to be educated about how expensive buying things on credit can be.