The Dems Win

The final two Senate races have been decided. Allen and Burns have conceded Virginia and Montana, respectively. This means the Democrats now hold both the House and Senate. This is even more than I had ever hoped for. I now hope the Democrats use their new power for the good of the people, rather than to punish the Republicans. What I hope happens:

1. ASAP, work with the President, the Baker Commission and the new Defense Secretary to put in place, a plan for victory in Iraq. This means adopting something similar to the Murtha Plan first put forth about a year ago. This means getting our men and women out of harms way but keeping them close enough to the action so they can be called in WHEN NECESSARY. This means the Iraqi's will start to run their own damn country and if they continue to spiral toward chaos, civil war, our people will be there to support the elected government but not to be the referees and policemen.


2. Implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations.


3. Allow the tax cuts to expire as they unfairly benefit the wealthiest. Then propose a new tax cut plan that targets the benefits to the middle class.


4. Call hearings and bring in everyone involved in the creation of the Energy Policy. And yes, this includes Cheney and all his buddies at Exxon and Enron. The current policy very clearly isn't working.


5. Increase the minimum wage.


6. Protect the environment.


7. Put together a national task force to work with local governments to eliminate the Tom Delay gerrymandered voting districts.


8. Voting rights and machinery needs to be looked into and locked down via laws and technology much better than it is today.


9. Pass the Presidents comprehensive immigration bill.


10. Pay as you go. The budget will need to be slashed immediately to show progress back toward balance.