As we draw closer to election day 2006, it is time for the Democratic Party to consider taking a page out of Newt Gingrich’s early 90’s playbook and tell Americans their plans for the country when they regain control of the legislature.

These plans should then be memorialized into a CONTRACT with the voters, which all Democrat candidates would then be required to sign on to.

What follows, in no particular order, are my notes for what that CONTRACT should say.

The immediate appointment of a non-partisan prosecutor to thoroughly investigate the charges that have been levied agains the President, the Vice President and other members of the Bush administration. Depending upon the outcome of that investigation, the initiation of appropriate action, whether that be CENSURE or IMPEACHMENT.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation rescinding, retroactively, the Bush Tax Breaks for the wealthy.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation withdrawing all US troops from Iraq.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation initiating compassionate immigration policies. This would coincide with the immediate closing and securing of our borders.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation to repeal the non-essential elements of the Patriot Act.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation to refund and reauthorize Federal regulatory agencies gutted by the Bush administration.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation to reinstate the Clinton era ‘aid to education’ and continuing education policies.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation to reinstate the pre 2005 personal bankruptcy laws.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation, rescinding George Bush’s executive orders.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation establishing sane environmental policy, which all cities and corporations would then be required to comply with.

The immediate signing of the Kyoto Accord.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation allocating funding for research into alternate fuel sources.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation to reinstitute Federal Regulation of the energy and oil industries.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation instituting a single payer insurance system offering universal coverage to all based on the ability to pay.

The immediate appointment of a non-partisan prosecutor to thoroughly investigate and prosecute companies found to have been war profiteering.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation, which would compel the IRS to investigate and rescind, when approiate, the tax exempt status of all religious organizations found to be using their pulpits as political platforms.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation funding, on a national level, stem cell research and other cutting edge scientific procedures.

The immediate drafting and passing of legislation, which would require companies outsourcing to pay taxes on the money earned in a foreign country.

With a plan such as this, the American people would feel better making the changes necessary this fall.

Let me know what you think.

DENIS DONOVAN - Editor

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