A Simple Message for the Democratic Party

We always talk about how Repubs have a simple message of cut taxes, limit government.  And we struggle to find our own simple message.  Howard Dean has begun to effectively lay out a pretty coherent vision for a Dem platform but it is still a list of issues - not a slogan of any kind.  Nevermind that the Republican slogan is full of horse manure when compared to their actions...

So.. reading over Dean's statement, it pretty much sounds like our slogan should be that the Democratic Party supports a government that works for the people.

As much headway as Repubs have gotten by charging that Dems are for big government, I think we are at a time where after 9/11 and Iraq and Katrina... people are more receptive to government performing certain tasks, but only if they do them well.  Government under Republican leadership is corrupt and ineffective.  That point can be stressed in so many different exapmles.... the misleading into Iraq, the tragic response to Katrina, the corruption of every branch of Republican leadership, the piss-poor Medicaid reforms and their implementation, the piss-poor No Child Left Behind law and its implementation, the hostile take-over of our science agencies by fundamentalists... it just goes on and on.

I truly sense this past year we've crossed a line where people are beginning to sense what happens when you try to drown effective government in a bath tub.  I think there is enough annecdotal evidence in people's own lives that there our issues in this country that government used to address and at least try to solve.  The Republicans in power don't care about problem solving.  They care about using the power of the Federal government to their own gain.  I think this is a real difference between the parties that needs to be high-lighted.  Clinton stayed awake nights fretting over issues and policies.  Some reporters made fun of him for this or even criticized him, but when we compare it to the style of George W. Bush, what becomes clear is that Clinton cared to try and solve these problems.  W doesn't even try.  Its not enough to just tick off a list of issues and say I have a plan the way Kerry did (not to make this a thread about bashing Kerry).  You need to peel back one more step and really simplify it.  The difference is that Dems even care to try and solve these problems.  Repubs have shown no sign in their 5 years in total power.  And the few attempts they've made have been disasterous because they can't do it!  (NCLB, prescription drugs, social security all come to mind!!!)

Dem spokespeople should be out in force ticking off the Republican screw-ups and simply repeating the phrase that a Dem leadership will restore a government that works for the people.  Then get into the policy issues.  But always bring it back to the simple message.

•  Not a bad start...

  but I would amend it slightly:

  "The Democratic Party is the party that works for America."

  which leads naturally into the next one:

  ".. instead of making America work for it."

  by DemInTampa on Wed Nov 30, 2005 at 07:11:09 AM PDT

  •  What about

    the inevitable republican characterization of ".. instead of making America work for it." as more liberal hand outs? Also, there will be comparisons made to:

    "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."

    by TerraByte on Wed Nov 30, 2005 at 07:24:03 AM PDT

•  why put people in charge of the government

  who hate government?  It's crazy.  We depend on government (us collectively), we want it to work and business is all about the bottom line.  This whole move to privitize government has been an abject failure.  

  by TeresaInPa on Wed Nov 30, 2005 at 07:21:45 AM PDT

  •  That to me is the issue in a nutshell

    Democrats generally believe in an effective government that can solve problems in the collective that we may struggle to solve on our own.  Why do we constantly run from that just because the bad 'ol Republicans smear us with the Big Government label?  Screw that.

    As Howard Dean taught us, its time to stand up and say what we believe and be proud of it.  Government has an important role in modern society... in any society.  We want a government that works!

    by TheC on Wed Nov 30, 2005 at 07:27:51 AM PDT

•  Democratic Party message should be

  1)Security for All
  2)Opportunity for All
  3)Liberty for All

  1)Security for All- (both economic and homeland security)
   (economic)
   1)Protect and Save Social Security/Medicare-and pensions.
   2)Raise the Minimum Wage to the amount that is equaivilent to the Living Wage.
   3)Universal Health Care for All.
   (homeland security)
   1)Reduce US dependency on Foriegn Oil.
     Short Term- Support ANWR Drilling
     Long Term- Give consumers incentives in purchasing Hybrid Fueled Vehichles.(Tax Credits).Give Auto Industries incentives in designing SUV's and cars that run of Hybrid Fuel.
    2)Put highly qualified and competent people in charge of Homeland Securty and FEMA.-
    3)Disband FEMA from Homeland Security(Turn FEMA into new Cabinet Department.)This way Homeland Security deals with man-made disasters-(Terrorisms)FEMA-deals with natural disasters(hurricanes.tornados.earthquakes).
    4)US must rebuild a personal relationship with the international commumity.
    5)US should have a multilaterism foriegn policy(International Cooperation)
  2)Opportunity for All
    1)Fund No Child Left Behind
    2)Increase Head Start Funding
    3)Give College Tuition Tax Credits to every family that have children.
    4)Provide Pell Grants and Scholarships to students that come from low income families and graduated high school with a 2.5 GPA . Student must maintain 2.5 GPA while attending College-if students want to continue recieving Pell Grants and Scholarships
    5)Give College Graduates incentives into going into teaching.
   (Liberty for All)
    1)Legalize Assisted Suicide
    2)Legalize Marijuana
    3)Create a Constitutional Amendment Allowing Civil Unions and Domestic Partner Benifits. and inappropriate gay relationships
    4)Legalize Pornography
    5)Abolish the FCC.

  by quasimoto on Wed Nov 30, 2005 at 10:14:35 AM PDT