Spanish
Version
Congressional Democrats
believe America
should work for everyone - not just those at the top - by building opportunity
and prosperity for all, and guaranteeing real security at home and around the
world. We know that Americans can work together to meet the serious challenges
facing our country, create a stronger nation, and build a safer world.
With a firm commitment to
honest leadership and tough budget discipline to end record deficit spending, we
propose a legislative agenda - A New Direction - that unites rather than divides
our country. Beginning with our goal of an America
that strives for the common good, these are our legislative priorities in the 109th Congress for a New Direction.
REAL
SECURITY AT HOME AND OVERSEAS
Reclaim American leadership with a tough, smart plan to transform failed Bush
Administration policies in
Iraq
, the
Middle East
and around the world. Require the Iraqis to take responsibility for their
country and begin the phased redeployment of US forces from Iraq
in 2006. Double the size of Special Forces to destroy Osama Bin Laden and
terrorist networks like al Qaeda. Rebuild a state-of-the-art military capable of
projecting power wherever necessary. Implement the bipartisan 9/11 Commission
proposal to secure America's borders and ports and screen 100% of containers. Fully man, train, and equip
our National Guard and our police, firefighters and other first responders.
Honor our commitments to our veterans.
BETTER
AMERICAN JOBS - BETTER PAY
Prohibit the Congressional pay raise until the nation's minimum wage is raised.
End tax giveaways that reward companies for moving American jobs overseas.
COLLEGE ACCESS FOR ALL
Make college tuition deductible from taxes, permanently. Cut student loan
interest rates. Expand Pell Grants.
ENERGY
INDEPENDENCE
- LOWER GAS PRICES
Free America from dependence on foreign oil and create a cleaner environment
with initiatives for energy-efficient technologies and domestic alternatives
such as biofuels. End tax giveaways to Big Oil companies and enact tough laws to
stop price gouging.
AFFORDABLE
HEALTH CARE - LIFE-SAVING SCIENCE
Fix the Medicare prescription drug program, putting seniors first by negotiating
lower drug prices and ending wasteful giveaways to drug companies and HMOs.
Promote stem cell research that offers real hope to millions of American
families who suffer from devastating diseases.
RETIREMENT
SECURITY AND DIGNITY
Stop any plan to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part. Enact real
pension reform to protect employees' financial security from CEO corruption and
mismanagement, including abuse of the bankruptcy laws. Expand personal savings
incentives.
THE WRONG DIRECTION
The policies of the Bush
Administration and the Congressional majority have taken the country in the
wrong direction, making us less secure and putting the privileged few ahead of
the common good.
WEAKENED
SECURITY
Failed to capture Osama Bin Laden or destroy al Qaeda; rushed to war in Iraq on
manipulated intelligence with no realistic plan to win the peace; failed to
provide strategy to stabilize Iraq or begin the responsible redeployment of our
troops; strained the U.S. military; wasted billions on no-bid Halliburton and
KBR contracts; failed to protect our borders, ports, transportation systems, and
chemical plants; received failing homeland security grades from the nonpartisan
9/11 Commission; cut veterans' health care.
RISING ECONOMIC INSECURITY
No minimum wage increase for 6.6 million Americans since 1997; real family
income down since 2001 as CEO compensation soared; support for subsidies for
outsourcing American jobs; $5.6 trillion budget surplus turned into $3.2
trillion deficit; national debt doubled to $12 trillion by 2011.
RISING COLLEGE COSTS
$12 billion cut from college student aid; cost of loans increased; college Pell
Grants frozen as tuition soars - 57% at public universities and 32% at private
schools since 2000.
RISING
ENERGY PRICES
Gas over $3 per gallon; growing dependence on foreign oil; billions in new
subsidies for oil and gas companies despite record profits; blocked efforts
against price gouging; opposed energy efficient technology and alternative
fuels.
RISING
HEALTH CARE COSTS
Family health insurance costs up 70% ($4,500 per family) since 2000; 6 million
more uninsured; confusing Rx drug benefit prohibits negotiating lower drug
prices; stem cell research obstructed.
RISING RETIREMENT INSECURITY
Promoting substantial privatization of Social Security and benefit cuts for
millions of retirees; employee pensions collapse while CEOs get golden
parachutes.
*CONNECTICUT
STATE REPORT*
Click
here for a .pdf of A New Direction for America
Click
here for information on A New Direction and Hispanic Americans
Click
here for information on A New Direction and Hispanic Americans
(Spanish Version)
Click
here for information on A New Direction and African
Americans
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