All eyes on the prize of 2006!

With Republicans finally stumbling in the public light, I hope you are all thinking of ways Democrats can take their failures and win in 2006.

There are no end of reasons why the elections in 2006 are the most important to consider.

In rough order of least to greatest importance, returning the House and Senate to the Democrats:

• will reduce influence of Republican leadership
  
• will help keep government from establishing religion
  
• can work toward a more sensible energy policy
  
• can further work on campaign finance reform
  
• will make it easier to block Bush Supreme Court nominations (disclaimer: but please forbid any sitting Justice from coming to harm)
  
• will end the threat of the "nuclear option"
  
• will make it easier to save Social Security
  
• will help make life hell for the Bush Administration
  
• could lead to impeachment of Bush, Cheney and/or Cabinet members (that can be done, right?)
  
• will improve efforts to reform the election process (this is also a reason we shouldn't slouch in local and state 2005 elections)

All this while we help Democratic officeholders and leaders listen to the grassroots and improve people's lives.

If all goes well for Democrats in 2006 and they handle the return to power responsibly, 2008 should be a cakewalk. Let's work to make 2006 a good year for our country and for the Democratic Party (or other progressive party/independents).