As we fast approach election day, and we work to send Senator John Kerry to the White House, several thoughts occur to me. We cannot allow ourselves to become complacent after the election. Indeed, if we have learned anything from the last four years, is that the Republican machine will always be there as an adversary, and the values we hold dear will always, in at least my lifetime, be threatened by single party rule.
Whoever wins this election has a duty and an obligation to unite the nation under one flag, something I do not believe George W. Bush will do if he is elected.
Regardless, we need to push on. We need to unite the Democratic party as never before, and continue our efforts into the future, beyond this election. We can allow for differences of opinion and ideology, it is a strength to have patience and tolerance for a variety of backgrounds. This variety of human perspective is the source of our innovation.
I consider myself a New Democrat. What does this mean to me? I have a chip on my shoulder, I am not afraid of the future, I embrace it. I see a clear economic future, I am goal-oriented, I believe in fair trade, partnerships, and I am a team player. I want a strong economy with opportunities for my children, I want our nation to contnue to lead in technology, and education. I believe that public service means you work for the public, not a few companies.
I believe that we need a flexible economy, one that can shift readily from one sector to another. I don't want a handout, I want an education, a career, a chance. I don't want obsolete leaders who talk about cold-war era ideas, I want solutions, not more problems. I want peace not war. I certainly do not want my tax dollars going to companies that help kill people who I have no quarrel with.
We can improve our institutions, make them more efficient and relevant. We can use technology to increase efficiency in government, from clean technology (fuel cells) in new contructions, to upgrades in technology that increase efficiency.
We can invest in human resources, so that everyone truly has an opportunity to succeed.
This can be done through partnership agreements with businesses, educational intiatives, and communications infrastructure investment.
We are fast moving away from an industrial society to an innovative, high technology society. Republicans fear this change, but it is coming, and we will run roughshod over them in the long run, because we have the dynamics that it will take to step up to the future.
Diverse opinions, backgrounds, and ideas increase innovative resources. We already have tools and human resources for an economic rebirth.
Don't allow the Republicans to cash in on their investment on our losses, it is up to us to remain connected, take intiative, and invest in each other. The last four years have for many of us, been economically alarming as Government preferential treatment has shifted toward certain sectors and other have been shafted. We need to use a trifold plan to win back our country, not only for ourselves but for our children, for our Nation, for our Democracy.
I propose:
For every dime paid to Halliburton, we demand results, and jobs here in America.
For evey job moved overseas, we demand the education to increase flexibility to move from
one sector to another.
For every corporate welfare dime, we demand matching funds for our retired, sick, weakest, and abandoned.
We demand minimum health care for our children, with affordable premiums, and caps on costs for the health industry for those uninsured. Do not allow the continued decapitalization of America to continue.
We demand an investment in fuel cells, and alternative energies, with tax breaks for companies that "come clean".
We demand clean air, clean water, and unadulterated lands. We demand good stewardship of the nation's lands, protected in the "Public Trust".
We demand that we never go to war without diplomatic efforts at the highest leadership level possible.
We demand that we never go to war without a full comprehensive strategy, reviewed by our representatives in Congress that includes an exit strategy.
We demand we never deploy troops in wartime without sufficient protections for the civilian population, without sufficient protective gear for our troops, and without the support of affected nations and allies.
We demand an ongoing effort to bring terrorists to their knees. We demand that terrorist organizations be starved of financial support, arms, and logistical support. We demand that companies, and organizations that knowingly provide support to terrorist organizations be penalized for such actions.
We demand that the AIDS Crisis be addressed comprehensively, with proven measures and assistance as needed with the international community to bring this epidemic to an end.
We demand that abortion be safe, legal, and rare. This means that proven measures that reduce unwanted pregnancies (and, presumably unwanted abortions) be evaluated completely, and privacy in this regard remain respected.
We demand that The Constitution not be ammended in such a way as to remove rights, liberties or freedoms from any individual, class, or group of people.
We demand that the Constitution and the Nation remain intact, as a country for the people, by the people.
We demand Democracy.