A NEW DIRECTION FOR AMERICA |
House
Democrats believe that America needs a New Direction that provides
opportunity, security and prosperity for all Americans.
While some
may try to score political points with divisive issues, House Democrats want
to address the real challenges facing the American people – high health care
costs, college affordability, rising gas and energy prices, retirement
security, and stagnant wages. House Democrats also make homeland security and
support for our veterans and military personnel a real priority, not just a
talking point. And we will bring honest leadership and open government back
the US Congress.
Democrats
in Congress offer a New Direction, putting the common good of all Americans
first for a change, and will:
MAKE HEALTH
CARE MORE AFFORDABLE
Fix the prescription drug program by putting people ahead of drug companies
and HMOs, eliminating wasteful subsidies, negotiating lower drug prices and
ensuring the program works for all seniors; invest in stem cell and other
medical research.
LOWER GAS PRICES AND ACHIEVE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
Crack down on price gouging; eliminate billions in subsidies for oil and gas
companies and use the savings to provide consumer relief and develop American
alternatives, including biofuels; promote energy efficient technology.
HELP WORKING FAMILIES
Raise the minimum wage; repeal tax giveaways that encourage companies to move
jobs overseas.
CUT
COLLEGE COSTS
Make college tuition deductible from taxes; expand Pell grants and cut student
loan costs.
ENSURE DIGNIFIED RETIREMENT
Prevent the privatization of Social Security; expand savings incentives;
ensure pension fairness.
REQUIRE FISCAL
RESPONSIBILITY
Restore the budget discipline of the 1990s that helped eliminate deficits and
spur record economic growth.
THE
WRONG DIRECTION
The Bush Administration and the Republican Majority in Congress have taken the
country in the wrong direction for Americans and their families.
RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS
Under this Administration, the cost of family health insurance has risen more
than 70%, or an average of $4,500 per family, and 6 million more Americans are
uninsured. Meanwhile, the Majority has enacted a confusing and costly
prescription drug benefit that prohibits Medicare from negotiating lower drug
prices, has cut funding for medical research, and has prohibited federal
funding of a real stem cell research program.
RISING ENERGY PRICES
Gas prices have nearly doubled and exceed $3.00 per gallon in many places, and
dependence on foreign oil increased to 60%. Meanwhile, the Republican Majority
has blocked efforts to ban price gouging, rewarded oil and gas companies with
billions in new subsidies at a time of record profits, and opposed investments
in alternative fuels and energy efficient technology.
RISING
ECONOMIC INSECURITY
Real family income has fallen every year of the Bush Administration, while CEO
compensation has soared. Meanwhile, the Majority has blocked any increase in
the minimum wage for 7.5 million workers, while providing billions in
corporate tax subsidies that encourage sending jobs overseas.
RISING DEFICITS AND DEBT
The Majority has turned a projected $5.6 trillion budget surplus into a $3.2
trillion budget deficit and put us on course to double our national debt to
nearly $12 trillion by 2011.
RISING COLLEGE COSTS
Tuition has increased by $2,000 (57%) at public universities and by $5,000
(32%) at private universities since the 2000-2001 school year. Meanwhile, the
Majority has cut $12 billion from college student aid, increasing the costs of
loans; has frozen Pell Grants for higher education; and has failed to extend
the college tuition tax deduction.
RISING RETIREMENT
INSECURITY
The Majority has fought to privatize Social Security, which would have cut
benefits for the middle class and added trillions to our debt, and failed to
protect workers’ pensions while CEOs receive hundred-million dollar retirement
packages.
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A New Direction for America >>