Since many of the democrats feel the need to stand by and observe as the GOP implodes and fractures, there are some topics that I would like to see the Dems embrace and start talking about.
In no particular order ...
1) Affordable Healthcare: I'm not talking about the kind they have in Canada necessarily, although I wouldn't be against that necessarily. It's morally wrong for wealth to be the determining factor for some people seeing a doctor. Here's an example of how I think the system is wrong: if I had a minor child living with me I would qualify for a state health card. The fact that I am not financially solvent enough to raise a child properly is irrelevant according to the state. That leads me to believe that people who aren't in a position to raise a child are having one just to qualify for state medical benefits. That's not right.
2) Incentives for US Companies to Employ US Workers: Outsourcing our nation's jobs is unamerican, although it is profitable for the companies. That's wrong. There should be some incentives for them to stay in the US and employ US workers. No offense to the fine people of India, but I am tired of talking to them on the phone anytime I call the customer service line of a major US company.
3) Fiscal Responsibility: We need to spend our tax dollars far more wisely than we currently do. This million dollar bridge to nowhere in Alaska is a prime example. Being fiscally responsible is not an issue the GOP should have a monopoly on.
4) FEMA Should Once Again Be A Cabinet Level Post: Take FEMA out of Homeland Security and allow that agency to spend it's time on battling terrorism.
5) Dems Should Embrace Some Faith Initiatives: Although there are plenty of bad models in which churches are mixing politics and religion, there are also many examples of Churches reaching out and serving a real and needed purpose in many communities. Some hospitals and medical clinics run by churches are the only health care some of our nation's poor receive. We should embrace good models of churches helping in our communities.
6) Dems Should Ease Up on Abortion: There are quite a few pro-life Dems. The democratic party does not need to be the whipping boy for Roe-V-Wade. The Dems don't need to be seen as pro-abortion. I'm not against abortion in some cases, but there are many instances in which it is used as a form of birth control - and it is not birth control.
7) Security on our Borders and Illegel Immigration: Legal immigration is the lifeblood of our country. But Illegal immigration is wrong and should not be rewarded. Hospitals along the border with Mexico are shutting down because they do not receive any money for the many illegals they treat. That's wrong. We need to stand strong on our borders and infuse more money to protecting our citizens that live there. There should be no need for Freedom Fighters. Our government should be doing that work.
8) Regional Transportation Models: The trains don't make it to Kentucky. Greyhound is cutting back on service to many smaller cities. Many cities have inadequate public transportation. I'd like to see some research and action being taken on improving transportation in our country. Our country needs a better railroad system. If not Amtrack then something else. We need to provide alternatives to more cars on the highway. Public transportation in major cities should be of a level that the average person could use it to go to work and back home again.
9) Civil Rights: No, I do not believe gay marriage is a state's right's issue no more than the Civil Right's Laws of the 1960's should have been state's right's issues. Equality for all citizens should be a foundation for the federal government. And yes, I do expect the Dems to take a hit on this if they come out in support of it. However, it's important to also impart that the federal government also may not interfere in an religious faith that does not want to recognize same sex marriage. The government cannot force churches to worship or believe in any special way, but churches also may not exert control over how the government governs.
10) Spend More Federal Money on Our Poor Rather Than the World's Poor: Poverty is a real and growing problem in our country. We saw that in New Orleans when a hurricane hit before the social security checks came. Everyone that works an honest job should be able to afford some sort of home. Everyone that works an honest job should be able to afford food for the dinner table. This is an ideal place for churches to play a larger role; they already play a large role of course. The working poor of the lower 9th ward in New Orleans were blocked from higher education at such fine local universities as Tulane and Xavier because of lack of wealth. That's wrong. Academic achievement should not be tied into wealth. We need a real war on poverty right here at home.
OK, that's 10 topics I'll throw out that I'd like dems to talk about.
Any others???
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