The way Dems vote in Congress the next 2 years will have much to do with how the mid-term elections of 2006 turn out.
Because Republicans have a majority in both houses and have the White House, primarily Republican agenda items will end up coming up for a vote and the Republicans won't need to court Dem votes to pass legislation if they are able to get all Republicans on board.
So, this makes the way Dems vote on legislation more into a strategic undertaking, than a legislative undertaking.
Put simply, the wrong vote can kill a campaign.
Exhibit A: I voted for the $87 Billion before I voted against it. We all know who did that, and we all know the effect that had.
But, voting correctly can also help a campaign.
Exhibit A: Russ Feingold's vote against the Iraq War resolution and for the $87 Billion. This helped further Feingold's reputation for sticking with his convictions and doing what's right, a trait which brought many endorsements from conservative newspapers throughout the state of Wisconsin this last election cycle.
So, how do you think the Dems should vote on particular items?
There are a number of issues that may come to a vote the next couple years, and in hopes of creating some discussion with regards to the
strategy involved with how Dems should tackle these issues the next couple years, I'm listing these issues and my initial thoughts on how Democrats should handle these issues.
Please share your thoughts. Maybe we can help a little in formulating a winning strategy for 2006.
1) Privatizing Social Security
This has been diaried quite a bit lately (a good thing, in my opinion), so I'll be brief: NO. That's what Dems should do on this. Vote NO, no matter what ways the Republicans propose to compromise. A united front will help cement the idea in the minds of the public that Republicans want to kill Social Security, and this could lead to HUGE electoral gains come 2006.
2) Change the Tax Code
This is alot different than Social Security. Social Security is a program people approve of (though they might think it's in danger, they still approve of it's effects), the tax code is something universally disdained. Dems should not put themselves on record as opposing a simplification of the tax code, so Dems should work to compromise. Basically, say no to ridiculous proposals like creating a national sales tax, but work with Republicans on more realistic changes to the tax code.
3) Cap Medical Malpractice Awards
This is fairly similiar to the tax code. We just have to face it: people don't like lawyers. So, Dems should not get themselves on record as opposing tort reform, lest they be tagged as sellouts to the lawyers of America and anti-business. Remember, the Republicans can pass this without the Dems. If the Repubs have the votes, the Dems should work their damndest to make the legislation as pallatable as it can be, then, though it pains me to say so, vote Yes
4) Nominate Conservative Judges
OPPOSE. Most of America is okay with the judicial system as it is (don't let the conservative press fool you), so they won't mind if Democrats show some backbone on this and stick to the most popular principles of our party (equal rights) and flat out state that we don't want to let right wing wacko (anti-choice, anti-equal rights, anti-gay, anti-separation of church and state, etc.) judges be confirmed to the bench.
5) Make Tax Cuts Permanent
Say NO. Many Democrats, trying to think strategically, let the President push through his tax cuts in the first term. And, really, at the time, you can't blame them. The public wanted the tax cuts. The Dems did what they should have, worked to make the tax cuts the best they could be, then went along with them. But now is different. The biggest reason: THEY HAVEN'T WORKED YET. Let's wait to see if they do, that's all we should say. If we see in 2008 (when they start to reach their expiration dates) that the tax cuts were a great idea, then we can make them permanent at that time. But until then, what's the rush?
6) Create Health Savings Accounts
We have to go along with this. The public is afraid that Democrats want to institute complete governmental control over health care (see Bush's lies about Kerry's health plan), and they don't like it. If Dems oppose the creation of Health Savings Accounts, the public will see that as proof that Bush was right.
7) Create Association Health Plans
See #6. Same thing.
8) Create Guest Worker Program
Support Bush on this. Really, Dems should be lining up to be the co-sponsor on this legislation. If this ever comes to a vote, it could permanently fracture the Republican party. WE WANT THIS TO COME TO A VOTE. The best way for it to come to a vote is for the Dems to say that we support it. If the Dems support it and the President supports it, the Repubs will have to bring it up for a vote. When that happens, sit back and watch the civil war. Watch as the Repubs ssquirm as they're caught between the Michael Savage/Pat Buchanan wing and their hopes of winning over the ever-growing hispanic voting block. This is the mother of all wedge issues.
9) Gay Marriage Amendment
NO. This is all about equal rights. Democrats are the party of equal rights. If Democrats go along with this, they risk losing that defining creed. Also, the public doesn't want it. The public values the constitution, and this is is not an issue worthy of changing the constitution over.
10) Line Item Veto Amendment
YES. It is hard to imagine this getting enough traction to actually bring about an attempt to amend the constitution for this, but if it does, Dems should support it. Bush has handed the Democratic party a huge gift the past few years: his extreme irresponsibility has allowed Dems to become the party of fiscal responsibility. It's there for the taking. In order to do so, we have to support things like the line item veto.
11) Pass Energy Plan (aka Drill Everywhere!)
This is a tough one. Dems are the party of the environment and that is an issue that can draw alot of moderates over to our party, but the public is also strongly in favor of energy independence and fixing the electrical grid. So, what this becomes is a regional issue. Dems in areas where the environment is a larger concern for voters (like Colorado) should oppose this. Dems in areas where the power grid is a bigger concern should go along with it. And all Dems should continue to howl about this administration's lack of interest in really achieving energy independence...cough, cough....Saudi Arabia....Prince Bandar Bush.....cough....
12) Patriot Act II
Oppose. We should push to fix the first one instead. The Republicans are quickly becoming the party of Big Brother as they keep pushing for further erosions of our civil liberties and the Democrats should, in response, clearly define ourselves as the party of Freedom. We need to fix the first Patriot Act, not add on to it. The public will respect this approach now.
13) Additional Funding for Iraq
By all means Big John (and every other Democrat), please vote for this now. The President got us into this mess, he's still at fault and still universally hated because of it, but we have to be responsible and give our troops as much as we can until we get ourselves out of that country.
14) Cut Weapons Systems
Go along with this. As much as it may be tempting to oppose Republicans on this so as to point out just how hugely hypocritical they are (and to be able to spit it all at Sean Hannity), we would become just as big of hypocrites if we did so, and the public would see it as an opportunistic political ploy. So, yes, go along with Rumsfeld when he calls for getting rid of Cold War weapons. He's still an a-hole, but he's right when it comes to those decisions.
15) Invade North Korea, Iran, or Syria
Not unless they attack us or we have proof they're about to. And that proof does not entail a global test, nor does it mean a bunch of satellite pictures of warehouses where at one point there was a truck parked outside and another time, there wasn't. We need actual proof, comparable to the proof that would stand up in an American court of law.
16) Institute the Draft
NO, NO, NO.....NO!
Last One: 17) Go to Mars
Pfffff...only if we can send Ann Coulter.
Okay, to quote an earlier diary, I have to leave now to buy some shoes.
Talk amongst yourselves.