Its not about approval #s; "Change course" is the grabber

[many a good man]

So the latest polls suggest two-thirds of Americans don't approve of the pResident and Congress. Any idiot with two working brain cells can see this current bunch of bozos is bad news. But that doesn't automatically translate into more votes for Dems.

Two-thirds are begging for a change of course. Dems have to clearly and loudly articulate our differences if we want to create a permanent majority in American politics. Moving right or pandering to the center does not constitute changing course. Bold vision and bold plans of action can sweep us to victory for a generation.

* The Era of Big Government is Over - the Era of Smart Government has begun. Conservatives need to smell the coffee, people demand a lot from their government but don't want to pay a lot. Democrats stand for good government while Republicans stand for corporate cronyism and taxcuts for millionaires. Get smart, pay your fair share, and we can live within our means with much better govt services than we have now.

* Affordable Health Care for All - for real. No more talk: we want action. Some movement is better than nothing. Health care costs are spiralling out of control. Its time for government to come down hard on the side of the people, not the special interests.

* Government FOR ALL the people - not just a special few. Democrats must become identified as the party of small business and the worker. Right now all government spending goes to the very rich or the very poor, leaving all of us in the middle squeezed. The Fortune 500 has added ZERO net new jobs in the past 25 years. We need a party on the side of small business and individuals.

* Return to traditional American values in foreign policy. Instead of kidnapping, torture, senseless war and destroying the Constitution, we must lead the world through building more effective intl institutions, promoting human rights, and helping those in the greatest need. Being the world's brainless bully weakens American, not strengthens us We must restore our nation's honor and once again become a beacon to mankind.

There has never been a better opportunity for a political party to more clearly illustrate the sharp differences in philosophy and response-ability. We can probably keep mum and coast to a narrow victory but that will only further disillusion the electorate. We need leaders to speak up and let the people know they have a real choice. If the Democrats can do this, we can capture the imagination of the American people and transform politics once again.

:dem: