SIX FOR '06
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.
Click here for a .pdf of A New
Direction for America >>
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