For weeks I have been saying the Dem Candidate needs a positive vision for the country. Not a small-minded DLC vision of school uniforms and more no-child-left-behind, but a vision with big themes. Now I am a solid Bay Area liberal/lefty, but I am smart enough to realize that this is a small minority of the country. We have to appeal to enough people to win. So here's the formula:
(1)Reassure voters that the Dems support basic American values, like hard work, responsibility, helping your neighbor, community, religion. Enforce existing gun laws, but don't push for more at the federal level. But America's values include tolerance and equal opportunity, so we need to protect civil rights, civil liberties, and the right of states to adopt civil unions if they want or if their constitution requires it. The country needs both enclaves like the Bay Area and Seattle, and the more conservative, small-town areas. We are a diverse people and need all kinds of places. (Short version: more or less freeze the current cultural status quo for the time being because time is on our side.)
(2) But we need to put American values back at the center of economic life. Dog-eat-dog capitalism is not what made this country great. It was neighbor helping neighbor that built the frontier. We need the same values of responsibility, community, taking care of your neighbor in the economic sphere. Business should not be free to lie, cheat, steal, pollute and prey on the weak and defenseless just to make more money. We need a fair market system and a fair tax system. Reasonable regulation to promote fair markets and protect the environment. Taxes should be set so that everyone who works is entitled to the first $10,000 free of income taxes (raise personal exemption and minimum standard deduction some) and with only nominal (2.5%) payroll taxes to establish elegibility for Social Security. Then keep progressive income taxes, but raise the top 2 brackets and either keep or lower current payroll rates and raise the FICA cap to at least $200,000. Everyone is entitled to pass $3-5 million to heirs free of inheritance taxes, with a restoration of the old 45% rate on estates above that level. Everyone is entitled to $3000 in dividends free of taxes, but ordinary income rates above that. Close corporate tax loopholes, especially offshore tax schemes. Make corporations use the same income figures for taxes and reporting to shareholders.
(3) Keep the American Dream alive. Fund K-12 education fully, increase Pell grants and funds for low and low-middle income people to attend college. Job training. No more two Americas.
(4) Strong national defense in a world community; bring the best of America to other countries, make us a beacon not a gun barrel, lead by example.
It pains me some, but I do believe that the first part is necessary or no one outside liberal enclaves will ever hear the rest.