Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

> For those who are happy about the change of power, what do you hope 
> the Democrats will be able to accomplish in the next two years that would
> not have been accomplished otherwise?

The change in power was needed to stop the present course. I am most 
happy for what Bush and his liberal Republicans will not be able to 
accomplish: extending tax breaks while increasing government spending 
beyond all previous spending growth, putting us deep into debt. 
Masquerading as conservatives, Bush and his fellows have increased 
the size of government while simultaneously cutting its income. Now 
we all, and our children and grandchildren, get to pay a huge 
interest load for an indefinite period. I think Democrats will stop 
the tax cuts and address the inequities of the minimum alternative tax.

We have serious challenges. Social Security needs adjustments. The 
present condition of Medicare and disease care in toto is shameful 
and needs massive work that has been neglected but for a drug subsidy 
that helps big pharma most. Democrats will, I believe, make big 
pharma bid for government business. I believe they will address 
health care on a national level.

Many Democrats elected recently are in fact quite conservative and I 
believe they will more seriously address our various serious social 
questions while keeping a closer eye on the budget. Most seriously, I 
expect them to work and be productive. I believe that many 
Republicans who have been frustrated by partisanship and gridlock 
will work with the Democrats to do the work of the people rather than 
focusing on pandering to special interest groups. I believe we now 
have a bipartisan majority that will work for the American people, 
not for "the base."