I recently read a post on one of the blogs (perhaps Kos) which had a brilliant idea for framing a positive approach to the current mess we're in. The Democrats (all of us, but most importantly, all of our leaders) could take a "pledge of responsibility". We already control popular opinion on most important issues of the day. Our problem is that we have put them forward negatively and we need to find a new way of stating them. We could promise to take responsible action on:
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foreign policy decisions (war, treaties, national security, commercial issues)
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fiscal problems/solutions (interest rates, taxes, balanced budget, needs which might put the budget into imbalance when of critical importance)
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social issues (social security, education, social programs, housing issues)
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political behavior (general corruption including questionable campaign tactics which we will not engage in, no twisting of facts to suit our agenda as distinct from the American people's agenda, etc)
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leadership (we will not lie to the American people - we will tell the truth even when it is a hard truth, etc)
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personal behavior (no leaks of classified information for political gain, no irresponsible consorting with lobbyists - might go further on the question of lobbyists and large corporations, no appointing our children and wives to important government posts or finding them jobs in the private sector with lobbyists who want something from us)
This gives us a frame from which we can hang just about every issue and criticism we have. And it would put the spotlight on the corruption of the current Administration and Congress. But it puts a positive spin on what is otherwise perceived of as an attack. It would also make it more difficult for the Republicans to say that we have no plan. Americans will believe we have a plan because we say that our plan is to bring back responsible government. Apparently just having a plan isn't good enough these days!
It would start right now and could be useful in the months to come when criticising the Republicans. It appears that we will not be able to stop Roberts from being seated on the Court, but we could promise never to manipulate something as important as the naming of a Supreme Court justice suddenly and injudiciously in order to change the pace of the news cycle. We could pledge never to leak classified information for political gain. We could pledge always to be honest with the American people about our reasons for major decisions (e.g., going to war) including with our misgivings.
Implicit in this message is of course the irresponsibility of the Republican party and their leadership. It doesn't hurt that GWB has actually referred to himself (albeit as a youth) as irresponsible.
It could give the party a sense of unity. Another benefit is that it might make those Democrats who are less principled think about behaving themselves.
What think all you Kossacks out there? I can't take responsibility for the idea, but I think it's too good to let fall by the wayside in the blogosphere.