When I say "Democratic Ideas" what comes to mind?

[BurtWorm]

First thought to me: Social Security. Of course, that's an old idea, but one of the party's most successful ones.

What ideas are out there now that you think Democrats could or should embrace to justify their being a "party of ideas?"

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. Healthcare.

I think addressing this in real terms with real solutions is key.

[rurallib]

2. UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE (our idea since 1949)

[eleny]

3. Single payer health insurance

And all boats rising together economically.

[MannyGoldstein]

4. A Middle Class and the Four Freedoms

The ability for a middle-class family to make it on one typical 40-hour a week income, like in the 1970s.

And the Four Freedoms as international policy.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

5. My first thought was your

forgot the L in "ideals."

But now I see you mean ideas. Things we thought of first.

Hmmm. The internets?

[laheina]

8. I'll piggyback on yours. :)

After health care, I'd say that education and the free exchange of information is pretty important.

[BurtWorm]

11. I agree with that, and add that the Dems should make louder noise

in favor of Net Neutrality and against Barton's COPE Act. Unfortunately, some Dems (including Mike McCurry) are in the way. But we don't let some Dems anti-choice position get in the way of our being essentially THE pro-choice party. (And Net Neutrality is a kind of "pro-choice" in its own right.)

[blm]

6. Kerry's Apollo Project fully funding alternative energy research.

Universal Healthcare - and if not that - at least the Kid's First health plan.

Iraq WITHDRAWAL PLAN.

[BurtWorm]

16. Iraq withdrawal plan!

:thumbsup:

Murtha's plan would work for me.

[blm]

17. newsflash

Murtha speech last month had him praising Kerry's latest Iraq withdrawal plan and noting the Dayton Accord style summit it included.

Looks like Kerry and Murtha merged their previous plans.

[BurtWorm]

18. Dems should embrace it and tout it.

Americans want out of Iraq. Now is the time to let the people know which party has the plan to do it.

[blm]

21. Unfortunately Biden is going around and lying about the plan and

journalists are repeating his lies. He claims Kerry has no diplomacy in the plan, yet, Kerry's call for a Dayton Accord type summit of all the neghboring nations to sit at the table till they come to terms is EXACTLY the type of diplomacy is needed for Iraq.

Biden is selling HIS plan by lying about Kerry's.

I hate when senators do that.

[BurtWorm]

23. Biden should wake up and smell the fact

that he is not going to get anywhere near the WH as a resident. He blew that opportunity long ago.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. New Deal

which encompasses not only Social Security but also the TVA/rural electrification, public works projects, minimum wage. I think of social programs like Head Start and Medicare as well. Basically, then, you could say I think of ideas that will help the people, especially those most in need.

[Sammy Pepys]

9. If we're talking about the current party members....

..."style over substance."

[Cleita]

10. Mine is" government by the people for the people".

I never cared for the idea of a Republic and I think we need to start moving toward a government that does reflect the will of the people, one that the leadership can't ignore, like they have been doing in the last fifty years and more radically since the Bush administration took office.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

12. Minimum wage hike and universal health care

[DemPopulist]

13. Ditto

[Jane Austin]

14. $7 Minimum Wage

It's short, it's true and it will get our people to the polls.

TV Punkdit: But the Democrats don't have any ideas.

Dem: $7 Minimum Wage. How's that for an idea? First week of new Congress. $7 Minimum Wage.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

20. at least a $10 living wage

[Jane Austin]

22. You have to start where you can be successful.

$7 for this year. With a Dem Congress, we can move that up.

[derby378]

15. Opportunity and fairness for America's workers

Doesn't matter if you're black or white, gay or straight, male or female - can you handle a wrench? Crunch numbers on a spreadsheet? Use a spot-welder? Grow crops? Manage a warehouse? Build automobiles or computers?

We need to make sure that every American who wants to work gets a decent job. With health benefits. And a real Social Security program.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

19. something like this.......