General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat policy issues do you think would bring in independent voters?
Just thinking about issues that are important to people that I know.
1. Anyone that makes less than $100k and owes back taxes? Settle for .05 on the dollar.
2. Settle all student loan debt for .05 on the dollar.
Let people make payments if they can't clear the debt outright. No fees.
NobodyHere
(2,810 posts)Less than 1/6 of the nation has outstanding student loans. That means you're asking the rest of the nation to make up for the lost money. Also I'm sure people who recently paid off their loans would be mighty pissed.
The number of people affected by number one would probably be even less (I'm too lazy to look up the number), and thus less popular.
brer cat
(24,565 posts)because only two states and a territory were impacted. That means asking the rest of the nation to pay for something that doesn't benefit them. UNFAIR cries the two-year-old!!
Eko
(7,299 posts)that makes no sense and will never be done.
jaysunb
(11,856 posts)Horse with no Name
(33,956 posts)But a nebulous promise of "make America great" did.
Leith
(7,809 posts)I saw a long commercial last night about St. Jude's Hospital. They emphasized that the families of the children with cancer do not have to pay for treatment, won't go into bankruptcy and lifelong debt just to keep their children alive, and how much the staff cares about all of them.
Let's shamelessly copy that for universal single-payer healthcare. Let them know that care for serious and not-quite-so-serious illness can apply to all people, not just those under 18.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,857 posts)And they may not be independents in any greater number than the rest of the population.
A workable health care for all plan might do the trick. But those who already have a half-way decent plan through their job are terrified of losing what they do have, that the replacement would be worse.
Maybe an iron-clad promise on Medicare and Social Security, especially for older voters who are not keen on the Democrats.
In reality, people are sick of promises made and broken.
And how many people do you know making less than $100k who also owe back taxes?
UTUSN
(70,695 posts)"Wonks" don't win.
LBM20
(1,580 posts)Jobs is ALWAYS the top issue, and the Dems have failed miserably articulating an American Dream jobs program. For the large majority of people, jobs and economic security is the number one issue hands down, including moderate independents. Fail on that, and you're doomed. The Dem Party is scattered all over the place. FOCUS on telling people exactly how you are going to create good paying jobs that provide the middle class American dream.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)2. A rural high speed internet program (similar to the rural electrification program of the 40s).
3. Student loan relief
4. Free public college education/tuition
5. Free daycare for working families (especially if it included Head start type enhanced educational activities)
6. A jobs program - train vocations. Work projects similar to FDRs programs
Short list. I could go on and on...