Why do people believe that Democrats don't have a party platform this fall?

Question

I don't know if I want to say, "Oh, the media's not covering it," or if I want to say, "Political wonks like O'Reilly pooh-pooh the agenda" or if I want to say, "People aren't looking," or whether it's some combination of the three. Maybe it's something else I haven't even considered.

The Democratic Party has a platform, and has a plan for making changes they think are necessary to make in the next congressional session. It's not hard to find if you just go to their homepage (but I'll provide a link for the lazy):

http://democrats.org/agenda.html

But my question is this: The above document/plan. Did you know it existed? Had you heard about it? Whether or not you agree or disagree with the Dems' stances, do you think they've done a good enough job of letting people know their position? What more could the Dems do to make it clear that they have a unified plan? Should they get out and work the media more?

BTW: I'm just a concerned (irritated?) dem, not a party operative.

crusinthru: Where did you hear this? Do you recall the expert's name? And do you honestly believe that the Dems would be politically foolish enough to squander whatever political capital they've gained over the last several months by raising middle-class taxes by 50%?

I'm not trying to call you out; I actually want to know what people think of those on the left.

Answer 1

Because they don't have a plan. They say what they want to happen as effects, but they don't say what they are goign to do to make it happen. Here are their "six points":

1. We will end the Republican culture of corruption and restore a government as good as the people it serves, starting with real ethics reform.

Translation: We will win and we won't be those evil Republicans.

2. We will protect Americans at home and lead the world by telling the truth to our troops, our citizens and our allies. We believe in a strong national defense that is both tough and smart, recognizing that homeland security begins with hometown security.

Translation: Yep, telling the truth is what will create a secure homeland. Not findind the terrorists and killing them. Honesty will fix it all.

3. We will create a cleaner, greener and stronger America by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, eliminating billions in subsidies for oil and gas companies and use the savings to provide consumer relief and develop energy alternatives, and investing in energy independent technology

Translation: Yep, we're going to magicly make the demand for oil to go away. You'll notice they aren't saying HOW they are making that demand go away...because they don't have the slightest idea.

4. We will create jobs that stay in America and restore opportunity for all Americans, starting with raising the minimum wage, expanding Pell grants and making college tuition tax deductible. We also believe in budget discipline that reduces our deficit.

Translation: We are magically going to create more jobs that stay in America. Again, they don't say what they are going to DO that will create jobs. Cuz they don't have the slightest idea how to create jobs.

5. We will join 36 other industrialized nations in making sure everyone has access to affordable health care, starting by fixing the prescription drug program and investing in stem cell and other medical research.

Translation: We are going to magically fix healthcare. You'll notice they don't say what they are going to DO that will fix healthcare. They hint at socialized medicine, but don't use that word because we all know that doesn't work. (I'll at least give Hillary Clinton credit, she's willing to admit to being an advocate of socialism. I disagree with her, but respect her honesty for admitting that view).

6. We will ensure that a retirement with dignity is the right and expectation of every single American, starting with pension reform, expanding saving incentives and preventing the privatization of social security.

Translation: They are going to magically make enough funds appear to make everyone have a nice retirement. Notice they aren't saying HOW they are going to do that, or WHERE they are going to get the funds...

Summary: None of the above says anything about what they are going to DO. It is merely a statement of their goals. A plan is when you outline what you are going to DO to ACHIEVE your goals. Not the goals themselves.

Answer 2

I am so dissapointed in both parties that it is hard for me to have much intreset in anything they say. The only agenda that really has me bothered is Charlie Wrangle's stance (he's the head of the ways and means committee) on getting rid of the tax cuts. At least he is clear on this I see the libs change so much on things it's hard to know what they believe in. But back to Wrangle, one tax expert says if the democrats regain the majority in government the taxes of the middle class will go up about 50%. That alone makes me hope they don't win I couldn't take that big of a tax hike.

Answer 3

Because the talking heads and republicans repeat that there is no plan, so many Americans think its true. Democrats need to counter that by going on as many shows as possible and "spin" back.

What I see that's changed in the news over the last decade or so is that there is no willingness to investigate anymore, just report what some "official" says without checking whether it's true or not.

Investigation costs money, in fact, they may not turn up anything. In the corporate run media conglomerates, they aren't willing to "invest" in knowledge.

Answer 4

I know the Democrats have a platform, but why should the media cover their platform when they get better ratings covering Democrat bashing of the current administration. Indeed the Democrats are not doing a good job of getting their platform message out because it is lost in their more pressing message of Bush bad, Republicans immoral, war is a quagmire. In short, mainstream Democrats are more interested talking about what's wrong instead of what they are going to do to try and fix it.

Answer 5

This is from a transcript of a Ronald Reagan speech he gave in 1988 in Raliegh, North Carolina about the democratic platform.

That reminds me of a story -- when you're my age, everything reminds you of a story. [Laughter] You know, in those previous times, there was a Tarheel who was running for office as a Republican. And he was out in the rural area, and he saw a farm there and decided to step in and do a little campaigning. And he announced who he was to the farmer, who said, ``Well, wait right here till I get Ma. She's never seen a Republican before.'' [Laughter] But while he was gone getting Ma, the candidate looked around for something. He thought he'd give them a little speech and looked for something in the nature of a platform. And all he could find was a pile of that stuff Bess Truman took 35 years getting Harry to call fertilizer. [Laughter] And there he was, ready to speak, and when they came back, he gave them a little Republican pitch. When he was finished, the farmer said, ``That's the first Republican speech I ever heard.'' And the candidate said, ``That's the first time I ever made a speech from a Democratic platform.'' [Laughter]

Answer 6

Why haven't we heard of it?Perhaps it's because they spend all of their time bashing Bush.I don't need to go to their web page. It's the same old "big government knows best,so just give us your money" routine.

Answer 7

Sounds great! Little thin on detatls. How they are going to do it & pay for it? Not much on big picture.

Answer 8

strange how the so-called "liberal" media gives the GOP so much more exposure on these issues, eh?

Yet Cons still cling to their "liberal" media myth.