Here's Hoping the Democrats Don't Listen to this AdviceDonna Brazille,
speaking in New Jersey:
"You know what the Republican Party stands for. They're for smaller government, strong family values, a strong military and putting religion back in public life," Brazile said. "We need a philosophy, even if it makes some American people uncomfortable.
"We're not going to win in 2008 if the Republicans spend all their time and money defining us and we spend all our time and money running away from who we are."Yep. That's the real problem with the Democrats as I have stated many times in the past. They know they have some unpopular positions, but rather than arguing why they're right, they try to finesse things and end up coming off as dishonest.
On the other hand, I certainly hope they listen to
David Ignatius, who has some "bold" ideas for how the Democrats can seize the day:
A sensible Democratic leadership would gather this very weekend to begin formulating a plan to address America's looming economic crises. These party leaders would develop specific proposals to reduce the trade and budget deficits that are spooking the financial markets.Let's see, my first guess on the budget deficit would be that they would propose tax increases, but not spending cuts (since that would be "balancing the budget on the backs of the poor".
My imaginary Democrats would get serious about energy, too. They would admit that with soaring Asian demand pushing against tight supplies, the world is facing a long-term squeeze. Rather than pretending that the solution is somehow to mandate lower prices, they would do something about increasing supply (yes, even from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) and reducing demand (yes, we are all going to be driving versions of the Toyota Prius someday).Well, since the ANWAR drilling bill has already passed (with little to no help from the Democrats), that's certainly a "no pain, all gain" solution since the only thing that remains is reducing demand. Either CAFE standards or gas taxes would be increased, which of course are liberal wet dreams since way back.
Even as they framed plans to deal with the immediate economic dangers, my imaginary Democrats would offer proposals to solve the longer-term threats to the solvency of Social Security and Medicare. Above all, they would face up to the reality the Republicans generally have avoided: that there is no way out of the fiscal mess without a mix of higher taxes and benefit cuts for those who can afford to take the hit.Well, hush ma mouth! Is he talking about tax increases
and means testing? Jeez, the courage that his hypothetical Democrats (who have been calling for both since time immemorial) would have to summon up to propose those "solutions" is, well, nil.
