Justice for All - proposal for the Democratic Party

The debate over what the party should stand for can be summarized in this phrase.  We need to keep the tag line simple.  The beauty of this tag line is that justice can mean different things to different people and thus enables a big tent.  At the same time, it shows how we seek to treat everyone equally and always seek to do the right thing.

I believe in the power of big ideas as well.  People respect the big idea even if one cannot implement it.  It gives the voter an idea of how the slogan would be applied in a Democratic world.  The Republicans slogan is basically god, guns and cut taxes.  In reality we know that the real goal is to create a transfer of wealth from the poor and middle class to the wealthy elite through cronyism and special perks.

So, here are my big ideas below the fold.

    UNIVERSAL SINGLE PAYER HEALTH INSURANCE is the key.  It appeals to all but the privileged few who will never worry about their health care.  As a small business owner, it is my 3rd largest expense after payroll and rent.  Relieve all businesses of health care issues and America is more competitive in business and everyone wins because no more bankruptcies caused by illness.  This idea also plays to people's fear which is a great motivator.  The Republicans will never back this plan and makes them look bad in the eyes of the small guy.  It reminds the voter that Democrats fight for the little guy.

    ENDING CORPORATE WELFARE/OUTSOURCING is the next theme.  Outsourcing affects the white collar worker who thought he did not have to fear that his job would move overseas.  Union guys already have seen the problem of outsourcing.  We need to end all of the perks that encourage shipping jobs overseas.  While worrying about the third world poor is nice in an ideal world, it is more important to win the election.  Middle America does not care about the poor Thai worker when he loses his job.  The best part is that we do not even need raise tariffs.  We can even argue that by eliminating these subsidies, we are on the side of free trade.  We even work in the justice theme by arguing that we get to even the playing field for the American worker.

    IDEALISM ABROAD is equally important.  The Bushites want everyone to get in the gutter with the enemy.  We need to hit home the point that the "American Way" symbolizes "Truth and Justice" and torture in un-American.  This is a harder theme, but important to send the message that we care of American values even when it is not popular.  Plus, we can easily argue that torture does not work.  We are more likely to get information from good treatment than from torture.

    CONSERVATION is a national security issue.  We need to raise the CAFE standards to protect ourselves.  I propose that we mandate that within 5 years, all automobiles sold in this country must be equipped with either a HYBRID engine or a diesel engine.  The technology is there and all car manufacturers can meet this goal of five years.  If forced to compromise, we can require a $10,000 gas guzzler tax on any vehicle that does not meet this requirement.  Since a hybrid only adds $3000 and that cost would drop if everyone had to mass produce the engine.  Also, we should add a gas guzzler tax of $5000 for any non-commercial vehicle that weighs more than 4800 pounds.  That weight will enable a family to buy a mini-van or small SUV without getting hurt, but affects those who would buy a Hummer or super-size SUV.

    ENVIROMENT AND GUNS are tied together.  We all recognize the importance of a healthy environment on this site, but we need to sell the message.  Gov. Schweitzer has shown us the way.  By letting the gun owners know that the Republicans want to sell off their hunting grounds for polluters, we can create a wedge issue.  We are fighting for the right of every citizen to enjoy federal lands while they fight for the corporate interests over the just rights of the citizen.

    END PAY-TO-PLAY in the federal government.  If a corporation, or an officer of a corporation, donates any money to a party or a candidate for public office, then they are ineligible for a federal contract for five years after that donation.  As a NJ resident, this issue is big and someone who can credibly argue against corruption can win.  

Finally, the biggest issue is one that saved for last: IRAQ.

    THE WAR ON TERROR must be thought of seriously.  We can argue for a withdrawal, or even a real plan, but we need to be able to sell that idea.  First, we must discuss the consequences of our departure.  The greatest likelihood is that a full scale civil war will develop and disrupt oil flow for 5-10 years.  We are already involved in a small scale civil war now.  Withdrawal just means that we would no longer be the ones dying.  

The truth is that a full blown civil war might not be a bad thing.  The Sunnis might win and they have been more reliable in our favor the Shiites.  If the Shiites win, then Iran becomes a greater problem.

Instead, here is my proposal:

1.  Ask for 500,000 more volunteers for the war.  We need at least this many to bring order to the country.  If we are not willing to put that many troops there, then we are not serious about winning the war and creating a stable Iraq.  The purpose is that it forces the Republicans to defend the war in a manner that exposes the disingenuousness.  Then, when they are forced to admit that they are not serious, it gives us a platform to call for a phased withdrawal on the grounds that the American people do not support the war.

2.  Concentrate our forces on Baghdad.  Create order there.  Give local Iraq companies the contracts to repair the country instead of Halliburton.  There is a military theory called the oil spot theory.  First create order in one location and get the population there behind you.  The gradually expand that order once you no longer have to worry about your flank.  I believe that the oil spot theory offers us the best opportunity for a positive result.  It is a strategic retreat, but should protect our troops the best.

3.  Make General Clark the Democratic spokesperson on Iraq.  He has the most credibility when discussing this issue.  Let him be our voice on this issue and get Biden and Lieberman to SHUT UP!!!  They are the problem, not the solution.  Gen. Clark can discuss the military aspects and the diplomatic aspects with a depth that no other Democrat can match.  Only Al Gore comes close.

    Lastly, we should ask "WHERE IS OSAMA" every single day.  It is the Bush's greatest failure that he is still at large and we have to point it out.  Bush promised us justice and he failed to deliver.  We want justice and Bush failed to deliver.

Please feel free to add your big ideas.  I did not discuss abortion or gender equality or gay rights because while we support them, those are not the important issues of the day.  No one is going to care about gay rights when they need a job or are worried about bankruptcy from medical bills.  People don't worry about gender issues when their friends and family are dying in Iraq.  We can worry about these issues after election.