Two big vote-getting issues waiting for someone to run with.

[Abe Linkman]

If you want your candidate to attract votes from liberals, conservatives, and middle-of-the-roaders; here are two issues you should urge him or her to talk about:

1.) Age Discrimination in employment. The beauty of this issue is that it not only appeals to people of ALL ages, but it will also attract the votes of workers who fear their jobs may be outsourced to India or somewhere else.

2.) Overpopulation. The problems caused by overpopulation in the U.S., are many and varied. As a campaign issue, talking about the problems caused by overpopulation would appeal to many of the voters mentioned above as well as to those who feel the GOP is willing to spend billions overseas, while neglecting the needs of our vastly-increased population.

[Divernan]

1. Gee,I'd agree with you if I were a Republican team leader.

Cause then I'd love to see the Dems grab on to these two tar babies. As to age discrimination, we already have protections in place for this, albeit they aren't enthusiastically enforced under Bush. Now why IS that? Because the Rs don't put any pressure on Bush to enforce them. In fact, the Rs benefit from Bush's benign neglect. Age discrimination is not a deal breaker issue to younger workers. In fact they would probably like older workers to retire as early as possible to open up more jobs for the thousands and thousands of middle age and younger unemployed or underemployed workers. That is certainly the case with public school teachers in Pennsylvania. They are pressing for an early (30 years and out) retirement window, because they are burned out. The school districts want this window because it would be cheaper for them to pay pensions earlier but hire brand new teachers at much lower salaries. What's holding it up is the tremendous loss the teachers' pension fund sustained under Herr Bush and his buddies at Enron and the like. And I don't think international corporations move to India or whatever third world country to hire YOUNGER workers; they move to hire extremely cheap labor.

The SECOND issue - overpopulation? How much more explosive can an issue get? You propose an incredible combination of birth control/sex education in public schools/ abortion AND a barely veiled condemnation of of the fastet growing segment of American voters, i.e., Hispanics. And you can attack the Catholic Church too. Hey! a trifecta!

Those issues would also be great at mobilizing opposition to any candidate who espoused them.

[Abe Linkman]

3. Gee, you seem to be in agreement w/#1 but misunderstood #2

With the exception of some Dean supporters, few young people participate in elections. So, as you noted, since the GOP has neglected all of the negative consequences resulting from age discrimination, a smart Democrat could make a lot of friends out of those over 40, who have lost their jobs and are now unemployed or underemployed.

Overpopulation is another issue that a smart Democrat could get a lot of mileage out of. Think about all of those blue collar folks whose incomes have taken a hit because the government has allowed millions of people to enter the workforce and compete in for jobs that U.S. citizens once held, at a decent wage. Of course, the problems resulting from overpopulation are many, and profound.

The explosive growth in population is a boon to a long list of people and companies; but not to the vast majority of average Americans.

I'm sure that a more articulate person could raise these issues in a way that you would agree with 100%. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to.

[DrFunkenstein]

2. The Retired, Not The Tired

Sen. Kerry:

I propose service not just for the young in years, but for those who still have so much to contribute after their finishing their careers. As Robert Kennedy once said, "Youth is not a time of life, but a state of mind." As President, I will defend and strengthen fundamental guarantees such as Social Security and Medicare. But I also believe in calling on older Americans to contribute to a nation that continues to need all that they have to offer. My proposal for Older Americans in Service will enlist those who have now retired - because beyond the jobs they did, they have so much more to give.

There are those in the Greatest Generation who are doing that today. And now the generation of the 1960's is entering their 60's. Today's Americans are living longer and staying healthier into their retirement; we need their experience and their energy - and in return, they will earn money that they can apply to an education grant for a grandchild or other any child they choose.

They have already done so much for their country. Here is what they can now do for their communities: older Americans can serve as positive role models for our children, signposts of stability in our classrooms, and the world's most patient tutors. When they are part of schools, students behave better. When older Americans spend time tutoring, children learn more and learn faster. And older Americans have the credibility and compassion to help their infirm or disabled peers in ways that no one else can.. Our older Americans are retired, not tired - and America cannot afford to waste their wisdom and vitality.

http://www.johnkerry.com/site/PageServer?pagename=spc_2003_0519

[tpub]

4. kick for the funkmeister

:kick: