What one or two BIG issues should the Democrats mark for completion?

[Stinky The Clown]

There's a boatload of issues demanding attention. But the realists know that our two-year plan simply can't get them all done. So my notion in this thread is to discuss what one or two (maybe three?) REALLY BIG, IMPORTANT issues should we tackle with the expectation that they'll become law?

I'll take the minimum wage off the list as that's pretty much a slam dunk and not hard to do.

I'm thinking some form of universal healthcare as the primo issue that we can, indeed, turn into workable law. The votes to overide a veto are probably there as this is a popular, populist issue across the spectrum.

What else?

[flyingfysh]

1. medicare and taxes

Fix Medicare; at least, put it back the way it was.

Fix the tax structure so we have progressive taxation back. Rich people get a huge benefit from government, so restoring higher tax rates for them is appropriate. People who won't pay their fair share of taxes are freeloaders.

[Amonester]

2. First and foremost: render all "signing statements" illegal because:

what's the purpose of voting new laws the little un-constitutional AWOL king can cherry-pick on because his one-percenters (his havemores) won't be able to profit from 'em?

Doing all this for... nothing??

Throw all un-constitutional signing statements into Boston Harbor first (and the e-voting codes next), I say.

[clichemoth]

3. Media control, then healthcare.

Without the Fairness Doctrine and de-consolidation, we'll still have highly-paid concern trolls all over every news outlet spewing their code words. Remember Harry and Louise? This is what Big Business and Big Religion fear the most.

Once that is taken care of, universal healthcare is easy because there would be a fair debate on the issue and it benefits everyone.

[aintitfunny]

5. Damn, I forgot media control - THE MOST

important.

[clichemoth]

10. It really is.

Our culture's reliance on their product is the main reason we've actually went socially backwards as a nation in the last 20 years. Why do you think the M$M fear the Internet? It's not really because you can play poker or watch porn on it.

[Stinky The Clown]

14. Media control surely *needs* to be done, but it isn't a winner for us

It isn't a loser, either. Its just neutral. What I was going for in this thread were the BIG accomplishments that would be hailed by the citizenry as a real populaist breakthrough. Media, I'm afraid, isn't seen as as big an issue by many as we in the 'aware' community know it to be.

I think its actually the highest priority - even ahead of the voting system. My rationale for that is that if the people had been hearing since the '00 cycle how bad things are, they'd have been pissed and we may not have even had the '04 debacle. It is only now, in this just-passed cycle that the public at large is just barely starting to get it.

So maybe fixing the voting system would be a good issue to jump on ....

[aintitfunny]

4. Health Care # 1 though

I question whether there are enough votes to do it right, meaning stand up to the Insurance Lobby. They own a lot of people on both sides of the aisle.

After that end the corporate welfare including: Stripping out the no negotiating with Pharma over Medicare prescription prices and then put an end to tax incentives for big oil.

and third a real plan for long term clean, renewable energy and slowing global warming.

My wish list anyway, for what it is worth.

[Barack_America]

6. Iraq and Prescription Drug Relief...

Iraq because, well, that's what these people were elected to do. And it overshadows everything else.

And government intervention into drug prices because it's a good first step towards some sort of universal healthe care plan.

[ellenfl]

7. election fraud and media control. they will just

find a way to steal elections again if we don't fix these 2 things NOW. besides, some of the repugs are claiming election fraud so this one should be fairly easy. how can they cry fraud, then refuse to fix it?

the media control fix should include figuring out how to make the playing field level again . . . equal time, spending limits, whatever . . . maybe making the ad makers accountable for false advertising.

ellen fl

[maseman]

9. Election Fraud is first and foremost

We need to make sure that one two fronts election fraud is taken away. First we need to regulate and open up the machines immediately. And do it right now while we have two years before the next major election. Second we need to investigate the robo-calls and voter suppression efforts. Without voter fraud being investigated we might lose 2008.

Second, Iraq. The people have been polled and that is their #1 concern. I know I will get flamed for this but the Dems need to work with James Baker to get this resolved. Why? If they work with Baker they will be seen as the party that is willing to work to get our soldiers home safely. Yes it may lift Bush a little, but the crdit will go to the Dems and Bush 41's friends. 43 will be the third wheel on a date. Left out fo the mix.

Our Iraq foreign policy can drive the domestic policy. Bring back the benefits for the vets as they come home from Iraq. Reinstate the Pell grants for students and work on universal health care next.

[Doctor_J]

13. Not only that, fair elections = Dem majorities

[Barack_America]

8. kicking for the issues!...n/t

[inthebrain]

11. Overturn right to work laws

It's nothing more than Union Busting.

Increase the penalties for those that engage in Union busting and enforce them.

[Doctor_J]

12. Election reform should be first

If everyone gets to vote, and every vote that's cast is counted, we'll be in the majority for the forseeable future.

Beyond that, I would pursue the fairness doctrine, which will further reduce the GOP's chances for any type of comeback.

Then will come single-payer health care, which will cripple the insurance industry and free up lots of cash for important things

[loyalsister]

15. I like your ideas

I would add family planning. It can be approached from the pro-life perspective of "it is pro-life to make prevention available."

I think we could also make some inroads on global warming and other environmental issues.

[DuaneBidoux]

16. Min wage followed by real ethics reform