1. Lower gas prices through federal price controls.
2. Raise the minimum wage.
3. "Reform" of social security by increasing FICA deductions.
4. Mandatory health insurance.
This proves my point. Each item you list advances socialism and more government. Price controls don't work, and are destructive to the economy. Minimum wage is a non issue for the majority of Americans. Raising taxes for social security is not going to get much support. Finally, mandatory health insurance will further distance voters from their party.
Sure hope they go through with this so voters will learn more about what Democrats stand for.
Everything you list would raise interest rates (even more) and put a huge damper on the economy.
No matter what happens, SS will have to be addressed. The status quo is unsustainable and both parties know it. Starting in 2007-8, the SS surplus declines, which translates into less revenue for the Federal budget. In 2017, SS goes from being a cash cow to a black hole. It is a pay as you go system and we will need to come up with the money to make up the shortfall.
I fear that both parties will do what they did in 1983, i.e., raise the retirement age, raise taxes, and reduce benefits. This time they will raise taxes, change the COLA formula, and raise the retirement age. They will kick the can down the road rather than solve the problem of future liabilities of over $12 trillion. We need personal accounts and eventual privatization of the pension part of SS.