|
When it comes to setting the agenda in the House, the differences between a leadership of Nancy Pelosi and the existing one of Tom Delay are many. Our Congress needs Democracy restored in the House, here's why:
1. One party rule hasn't been good for the country.
A Democratic congress would have acted as a check on President Bush. Checks and balances are the oil that keep our Constitutional machine running smoothly.
2. Equal representation for the other 50 percent.
Republicans in the majority say "we have the votes; we don't need you" to the Democrats in the minority. It’s time to end Republican-only rule, where all dissenting opinions are shut out. No more holding votes open for hours while they bribe congressmen to get the necessary votes, or running conference committees without Democrats.
3. An end to the politics of polarization in lawmaking.
Replace Republican majority shenanigans with a bipartisan process. The current Republican leadership abuses its powers not only to shut out dissenting voices, but to use its absolute control over conference committees to prevent any meaningful bipartisan decision-making in both houses of Congress.
4. Judicial and other appointments must be safeguarded against extremism.
Don’t let the government go where it doesn't belong. Protect a woman's right to choose, human rights, and equal rights.
5. Restore the power to initiate investigations, and bipartisan congressional oversight.
For Democrats and Republicans, the fact that House has virtually ceased to care about ethics violations should be deeply troubling; the House ethics committee needs to be restored to effectiveness to prevent the excessive influence of those who put personal profit above the national good. The nation needs effective oversight and investigation of the executive branch.
6. Stop invading countries under false information.
We need a House that will authorize military actions only when absolutely necessary and only with multilateral support. No more carte blanche wars.
7. Stop the explosion of deficit spending.
The Republicans can't be trusted with our money. They have given us trillions of dollars in deficit spending and only global chaos to show for it.
8. End the massive redistribution of wealth from the middle class to the very rich.
We need budget and tax priorities that ensure fairness to the lower and middle classes, not windfalls and corporate giveaways to the wealthy.
9. We need a House that will enact real health care reform.
No more fake window dressing panderings to senior citizen voters. We need real health care reform for all Americans, not just window-dressing and gifts to the pharmaceutical industry. Make plans for universal Health Care, not Medicare legislation that helps only the drug companies.
10. We would have a meaningful jobs program.
Under Republican mismanagement, millions of jobs have been lost. A Democratic Congress will pursue policies that create jobs, reward companies who keep jobs in the United States, and offer meaningful assistance to the unemployed and underemployed.
| 