The Democrats laid out a plan for 2006 elections. How do you feel about taking back both houses?
Question:
The ideas are part of the Democrats' new domestic agenda, named "New Direction for America," which the party rolled out during the past week. Pelosi, D-Calif., used the party's Saturday radio address to promote the plan.
"A new direction means expanding access to affordable health care for Americans. We will begin by lowering the cost of prescription drugs by putting seniors ahead of pharmaceutical companies and HMOs," Pelosi said.
"A new direction means broadening opportunity by addressing the soaring costs of higher education. We will begin by making tuition tax-deductible and cutting the interest rates of student loans in half."
Pelosi also pledged to improve security, reduce dependence on foreign oil, maintain Social Security and oppose deficit spending. Under the plan the minimum wage would rise from $5.15 to $7.25 over two years, the interest rate on student loans would be cut to 3.4 percent and Democrats would approve a "pay as you go" budgeting rule.
Most of the ideas have been part of Democratic talking points for months but, facing criticism that they lack a cohesive message, the party is regrouping them as a platform to run on in November's midterm elections. Democrats hope to regain control of the House and Senate, which would take a gain of 15 seats in the House and six in the Senate.
On Iraq, Pelosi said: "2006 must be a year of significant transition. It is time for a new direction in Iraq."
She didn't mention that there's significant disagreement among Democrats on when to begin withdrawing troops.
Pelosi's position on the Iraq timetable — "at the earliest practicable time, the United States must begin the responsible redeployment of its troops," she said — is not shared by everyone in the Democratic caucus.
Answer:
I think that this is great. I am a full time student. I also work full time, and have seen the era of no child left behind leaving alot of our young minds behind. As far as the minimum wage, this is a great thing. The minimum wage has not risen since 1997. I wonder who was the president then? Also the current administration has risen the national debt more then any president in US history.
if Democrats get control of the government they will ruin it all over again just like Kennedy and Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton and then they'll lie thier way out of it.
That would be super. ANYTHING but what we have now. And anyone what says that the Democrats would do anything to harm the economy is a dummy - look at how things are now! The rich are getting richer, middle class is now lower class due to rises in taxes, not to mention gas prices that DON'T effect the rich at all! This country needs a relief, let democracy come.
Geesh! A little long. For me, it would be giving up both houses, not winning them. As for Pelosi, she's a hypocrite at best.
Now Austin knows what he's talking about!
Maybe if the Democrats would take a firm stand they can win. Then we can once again bring balance to the country.
First the little houses, then the White House. Let's pave the way to putting Hillary in the Oval Office.
In order to win, the Democrats should use the same strategy that the Republicans did...appeal to their base (the left). They should come right out and call Bush a LIAR. They shouldn't be afraid of hurting peoples feelings by telling the truth that their loved ones are DYING FOR NO GOOD REASON in Iraq. Yeah, the truth hurts BUT IT'S THE TRUTH!
Unfortunately, that's probably going to be exactly what happens. Republicans play a dirty game with Dems where they let them win just as the economy is going to hell. Dems get stuck with the clean up like Carter and his legislature (who is probably the second best President the U.S. has ever had) and get screwed out of a re-election just in time for the country to begin feeling the relief of all their hard work. Then the Republicans stroll in and say," There, isn't that better? The Dems had 4 years to fix this but couldn't. We're here three days and already things are looking up." You can already see that the Republicans don't have any strong candidates lined up for this election. They'll throw somebody like Jeb in who doesn't have a chance in hell so the Dems best man/woman can win, hopefully take marginal control of Congress (just enough so they can't get anything done) spend their entire administration trying to clean up, and then get slaughtered in 4 years.
The Democrats are not gonna take back The Senate and the House, they claimed they would in 2002 and 2004 but they failed because they don't have a convincing plan.
Instead they tell the same stories over and over again that is just getting so old the GOP is gonna gain more seats in November
I bet come November the GOP will have at least 60 seats in the Senate thus killing the Democrats abuse of Filibuster on Judicial appointments.
Soon the Democrats in the Senate will actually have to work their butts off.
They can do it if they can amnesty 20 million criminals and sign them up to vote in time for the elections. After they have done that and sold out the Iraqis they can comfortably open both borders and wait to draw their multi-million dollar congressional pensions.
I think democrats are going to regain control of the Senate but I don't see it happening in the House but I have my fingers crossed hoping it does happen.
Good luck Demos and God help the pocketbooks (freedom) of anyone making a decent buck. Big government is not the answer guys. (Will you ever get it?). There has never been a body created that can spend money more inefficiently than the U.S. Congress.
Note to Nancy Pelosi: If you implement your plan to provide tax deductions for college tuition, just watch how they will rise in response. University types will love you. By making it more affordable in the very short run, you will make it more expensive in the long run. Easy money = inflated prices honey.
Learn from history already and try to cut down on the thickness of your skull. Become an informed citizen of these United States.
you are correct as usual answerman,,, problem is, we have few leaders in this world, fewer in the Democrat Party, and fewest in the Republican Party,, scares me,, but faith in America, her name, her pride, her ability, we shall overcome or we will fall to ruin,,, the only good thing to come of failure (which seems eminent) would be the stock market crash, and all the wealth would be redistributed, the conservative nightmare
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