The Democratic Contract With America

This Harry Reid is growing on me. I just got this gem of an email:

Dear Friend,

In a few moments I will go to the floor of the Senate and introduce ten bills which will make up the Senate Democrats’ legislative agenda.

Each measure represents one of our core values; opportunity so that every American can get the education they need to compete for good-paying jobs; responsibility, so that the United States government meets its obligations to future and past generations; and security, that the American way of life and our freedom will be protected by using all the tools available to take the fight to the terrorists while strongly supporting those who keep us free.

With your help thousands of Americans can stand with the Senate Democrats as we fight for these 10 bills. Normally Senators first approach each other to cosponsor their legislation. I am turning to you.

Become a citizen Cosponsor of the Democratic Agenda by visiting:

http://democrats.senate.gov/cosponsor-form.html

Our ten bills cover a wide variety of subjects, but each one is an important part of keeping America’s promise.

It is the promise of opportunity so that every American can get the education they need to compete in the 21st century; live in an economy with good paying jobs and high quality health care; and participate in our democracy. Keeping the promise of America also means meeting our responsibilities both to future and past generations by providing our seniors what they have spent a lifetime work for; acting responsibly with taxpayer’s dollars and with our children’s future by restoring fiscal discipline.

It is the promise of security, that the American way of life and our freedom will be protected by using all the tools to take the fight to the terrorists and standing with those who have served. It is these values that will continue to guide the Democratic agenda as this Congress moves forward.

Please join us, learn more about the Democratic Agenda and become a ”Citizen Cosponsor”.

Thank you,

Harry Reid

... The Left Coaster breaks down the agenda, and I like it. Some of them are right out of the Kerry platform (increase the Army by 40,000 troops, fund the fight against nuclear proliferation, increasing the minimum wage), and some are quite bold (a National Guardsman Bill of Rights, a series of voting reforms, restoring the pay-as-you-go rule in the budget process). Why exactly did it take until January 2005 to lay out this agenda this succinctly? I don't know, but it's a step in the right direction.