Let's face it. By September we will have a pretty good idea if the Dems will win one or even both houses of Congress. The Republicans are already working on poisoning the well by accusing the Democrats of wanting to launch 'investigations' and undermining the country 'at a time of war'. They're saying we only want control for 'partisan political purposes' and these investigations will not be fair or impartial.
Leading Democrats, including Dean, have demurred saying there is nothing in place about investigations, that Americans want government to lead and produce results for the American people and if there are investigations those are issues for another day. They're saying there's no 'grudge' match, we're not out to get you and the R's are saying, it's all about revenge and dragging the country down for no real purpose besides gotcha and the American people should keep Congress and the country from going through a painful period. Let's talk about this shall we?
As we get closer to the election you will see Repubs repeating this theme and adding that Dems will not address the important issues of the day (immigration, immigration, immigration), that they just want revenge. They will claim a Dem Congress will paralyze the nation and that no one wants to go through an endless series of investigations.
I hope they continue to trot this line out in all its various forms, because it won't work. Right now, the American people think Bush is incompetent at best and worried things may be worse than that. Those of us here know they are much worse but the quetion remains, When the Democrats take back Congress, what will our elected representatives do and what should they do?
I'll make a few suggestions and then hope more good, doable ideas come out in the thread. First, I think most of us know John Conyers is in line to become Chair of the Judiciary Committee and Pat Leahy in the Senate. Rep. Conyers will launch investigations, he's made that clear. We all want him to. Don't we? We want Sibel Edmonds, RayMcGovern, Richard Clarke, Paul O'Neil and dozens of others testifying before Congress and the American people. Hold on, I think we need to step back and be more objective about this. In fact, we should hire some Republican lawyers (like some who worked for Fitzgerald) to work on Conyers staff.
One, we have to deal with the media which will still include the lame MSM, their treason scum publishers and Fox Spew. We have to not only win this election but prove we can govern. Dems are winning the trust of the American people but we have got to deliver the goods. Legislation the country wants and legislation Bush will have to sign. What might those be?
Here's a few: Raise the minimum wage. Roll back interest rates on student loans. Expanded Sunshine law with teeth. Campaign finance reform (federal elections will cost $6 per person, what's not to love). Replace the confusing prescripton drug plan with one paid for by a tax on the rich. Set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. Bam, wham, thank you.
In other words, get quick results, positive results and show we can deliver. Then use the new Sunshine Law to pick the low hanging fruit. Expose some of the corruption around FEMA, followed by no-bid defense contracts with career procurement officials testifying who told them how specifications were to be written that would ensure sole source contracts. The idea would be to bring enough of the story out that the obvious next step would be to follow the chain of command. This will inevitably lead to the run up and war planning and then we're into it. The important thing is to be strategic, get some early wins, and then go after them in the winter of '07. By then the resignations will be in full swing but the new Reform Act will still make them vulnerable unless they are pardoned. Force Bush's hand as it were. By now we'll be in '08 and he's having to pardon people in spring '08 election. So at the same time people are being shown just how corrupt it has been, he'll be pardoning the higher up rats. During an election year.
All along the path to Truth will be Dean, the Majority Leaders, the Speaker, saying endlessly. America was founded on Truth and Justice. Who doesn't want Truth? Let them come forward and say why Truth no longer matters. Should corrupt officials receive Justice or not? Are we going to be responsible or not? At all times Dems must be responsible. About policy, earmarks, power. We have to be fair ourselves and not do what the Repubs have done (empty the treasury and build highways to nowhere)
OK, I've only scratched the surface but most of what I'm saying is be strategic, have a plan and implement with smarts. Your thoughts?