On Friday March 10, 2006 10:00PM PDT,
Bernie Ward opened his program's phone lines for
"the opportunity to state your platform if you were running as a democrat for congress. It seems that almost everyone but who actually is running the country has reasonable ideas on how to run the country." He also asked for slogans that would stick in people's heads.
The best "Bumper sticker" Type slogan entries were "Had enough? Vote Democrat, let's fix what's broken" and "Get real! Vote Democrat, let's fix what's broken" These have to be repeated ad nauseam, in addition, "Are you better off today that 5 years ago?" borrowing from the old, tried and extremely effective R. Reagan's campaign mantra makes the point for us this time.
The platforms suggested by callers, parallel the views at the Dkos in general which in turns reflects a column by Molly Ivins on this subject. Bernie read it on the air to emphasize the widespread agreement in DD on how the Democrats should proceed.
Enough of the D.C. Dems by Molly Ivins
"Mah fellow progressives, now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of the party. I don't know about you, but I have had it with the D.C. Democrats, had it with the DLC Democrats, had it with every calculating, equivocating, triangulating, straddling, hair-splitting son of a bitch up there, and that includes Hillary Rodham Clinton"
And so begins the irrepressible Molly Ivins' column about what the Dems platform should be; she presents three issues as base to a Democratic Campaign
. "As usual, the Democrats have forty good issues on their side and want to run on thirty-nine of them. Here are three they should stick to:"
1. Iraq is making terrorism worse; it's a breeding ground. We need to extricate ourselves as soon as possible. We are not helping the Iraqis by staying.
2. Full public financing of campaigns so as to drive the moneylenders from the halls of Washington.
3. Single-payer health insurance.
Adding to Molly's suggestion to stick to these three, I'd offer two more components intrinsic to a successful domestic policy.
4. Revert to pay as you go fiscal policy and Fair Trade instead of Free Trade.
5. "A new deal" type of deal whose primary focus is to create jobs by rebuilding the infrastructure, to finance this ambitious program, we immediately must close tax loopholes for corporations and the elite, revisions to the Federal tax code must be made so as to spread money amongst the populace that'll consume the emerging entrepreneurship's products and services thus stimulating production, which in turn creates more jobs that will pay a fair tax on income to further fund the rebuilding of the crackling infrastructure, and so on, and on ...
In other words, we have to voice far and wide how The United States of America is in dire need of a full fledged American Marshall Plan Campaign, "Liberally" Sprinkled with Perestroika, overflowing with Glasnost and served on a shining plate of Demokratizatsiya.
The Campaign Spirit has to be pure Liberal, we need to go back to our roots, to the times in which there was pain and suffering in need of remedy; as it is today, we need to go back to a time of Democrats using their ingenuity firmly planted on the principles of their convictions and acting on behalf of all people regardless of the consequences.
And last but not least, WE ARE THE FIGHTING DEMOCRATS, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE! Let's not EVER forget that.
What was that crapola that John Kerry spewed in his appearance yesterday (4/6/6) at "Nerfball" With Tweety Bird's Evil Twin Brother? "President Bush wasn't telling the truth" Is that equal to lied? If it is, WHY NOT SAY IT? (In general, Kerry did a good job in the interview, for the most part he was on point and on target except for the exasperating perennial Dems' "Civility"(?))
On this subject, ViginiaBelle wrote an excellent Diary that clearly lays out a doable strategy and tactics, titled Leader Pelosi- You Asked for Suggestions. I have Answers".
We need to face, to confront, to fight, hiting hard, day in and day out by using what we Liberals liberally have; brains and the 'know how' to use them.
"The Price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance"
We have to say it as it is.
There's no other way.
Let's kick some Regressive ass!