Kerry News in The Hill eNews

[Dr Ron]

Another sign that Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is planning to run again for the White House in 2008: The former Democratic nominee is planning a cross-country trip next week to promote his children's health insurance bill, the Kids First Act. Last year, during his presidential bid, some critics said Kerry did not have significant legislative accomplishments on his Senate resume. His promotion of this bill and other activity so far this year seems designed to neutralize that charge. Kerry will travel to Washington state, Minnesota, Louisiana and Florida. One Democratic donor said Kerry plans to host a Democratic fundraiser in Florida, though his PAC spokeswoman could not confirm it.

[muse]

1. Ron, Kerry came to Austin a few weeks ago and did this

He was promoting his Kids First health plan. Needless to say, the event was wonderful! I posted a bunch of pictures that you can find on a thread in this group.

[ginnyinWI]

2. I just found that thread and kicked it! N/T

:)

[TayTay]

3. This is very smart

Not only does it serve the goal of giving Sen. Kerry more legislative bills filed, it also helps to neutralize the Rethug claims that Dems don't have any ideas or programs and are purely obstructionists. Sen Kerry has stated repeatedly that there are things that need to be done in this country but are not getting done. Those needs are not going away, in fact, they are getting worse. He has also stated that with the Congress, Presidency and White House all in Rethug hands that it is going to take direct action on the part of "We The People" to affect change.

What are the ideas of the Dem Party, according to John Kerry? Well, according to the speech I saw (and what the kind folks who saw the Texas speech said) they are:

1. Health Care
2. The Environment
3. Foreign policy and the place of America in the world
4. America's problems with it's own people. (Education, Aid to our military families and our troops, Aiding Small business, etc.)
5. Election Reform

What are the new ideas?
1. KidsFirst Act. Fully fund a federal program that guarantees access to health care for America's 11 million uninsured kids. The money comes from rescinding or not extending the tax cuts for those earning over $300,000 per year. (This is but one idea. See SBA for more.)
2. Preserve the Arctic Wildlife Reserve. Keep it pristine for future generations. Investigate the mercury emissions that are currently making our rivers so bad that people can't eat the fish caught in them without incurring health risks, especially to pregnant women. (There are more ideas here too!)
3. Keep America a strong presence in the world, but not just through fear. Stop dismal appointments like Bolton because they make matters worse. Include other world leaders in policy talks and stop the tendency to unilateralism and heavy-handed arrogance in our dealing with the rest of the world. (There is more, of course.)
4. So many I don't even know where to begin. Support our military families by easing the financial burdens put on them by the demands of service. Fund the Small Business programs that help those who might not be able to get loans to find a way to start a business. Fund the education of the future scientists of America, because if we don't promote the sciences and the businesses they create, we are done as an economic power. (And so, so many more.)
5. In terms of election reform, we are still tallying the wrongs done in the last few elections. The Dems have a bill out there that seeks to redress these, which Sen. Kerry has co-sponsored. This seeks to level the playing fields for all Americans and make sure that whether or not your vote counts shouldn't depend on which neighborhood you live in, the color of your skin or your religious affiliation.

* is full of beans. The Dems, and Sen, Kerry are full of new ideas. They are just blocked, for now, from getting them fully out to a public that desperately needs them.

Help me out. Tell me what new ideas I missed in here. Thanks!

[k j]

4. Good!