Posted on 11/08/2006 10:02:57 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
Some priorities set by Democrats in Congress:
Military: Force an immediate drawdown of troops in Iraq and conduct oversight hearings on missteps on the war.
Intelligence: Increase attention given to emerging terrorist threats in Africa and Southeast Asia and devote more resources to North Korea and Iran. More oversight of terrorism and government surveillance.
Homeland security: Boost security for rail and mass transit systems. Tougher oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, potential restructuring of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Judiciary: Conduct oversight hearings on treatment of terrorism detainees, domestic surveillance programs and President Bush's use of "signing statements" affecting some requirements in the laws he signs.
Minimum wage: Pass legislation to raise the minimum wage from the current $5.15 an hour to $7.25.
Veterans affairs: Increase oversight with detailed budget accountings. More funding for veterans' health care, including additional mental health counseling for vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Health: Allow the Medicare program to negotiate directly with drug companies for lower prices. Pass a vetoed embryonic stem cell research bill again. Require insurance companies to provide benefits for treating mental illnesses equal to other medical and surgical benefits.
Transportation: Consolidate air traffic control facilities. Allow more foreign control of airlines. Limit the number of Transportation Security Administration airport screeners to 45,000. More oversight hearings on the Federal Aviation Administration.
Taxes: Increase education-based tax breaks. Close the so-called $345 billion tax gap, the estimated amount that people and companies owe but avoid paying each year.
Trade: Let a law expire that forbids Congress from amending trade agreements negotiated by the president. Create a chief enforcement officer in the office of the U.S. trade representative.
Energy and environment: Increase incentives for biodiesel, ethanol and other alternative fuels as well as wind, solar, geothermal and other sources of alternative energy. Renegotiate oil and gas leases that waived royalty payments to the government. Impose a national cap on industrial carbon dioxide emissions. Resist Bush's efforts to open more public lands to oil exploration.
Agriculture: Increase conservation programs and require more corn-based ethanol in motor fuel blends.
And Bush just let Rummy go. The one guy who plays smashmouth politics better than anyone else in the administration. GRRRRRRRRRRRR
Its been a tough 24 hours...
Yes it has. Almost as ugly as 1992.
All the Dems have to do is to cut funding on the War in Iraq.
If this is what they intend to do, this is REALLY good for us.
We can block it all and MAKE OUR CASE for the first time in a long time as to why.
I thought they would be more restrained. The public is not in favor of immediate withdrawal from Iraq and this will not sit well...next is impeach Bush, I guess...bring it on, I say.
I don't think they have the balls to cut funding... yet
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America's 1st CUT AND RUN =
Pictures of a vietnamese Re-Education Camp
http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1308949/posts
America's 2nd CUT AND RUN =
?????????????????????????
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On O'Reilly, Schumer couldn't name anything they will do differnt. He said he wants to call the generals in and question them, as if they have not held such hearings during the past three years. It all seems so pointless and dumb.
let them. at least we can tag the Dems with it then.
but instead, Bush and James Baker are going to "own" the ugly exit strategy.
Looks like our troops will pick up their bill.
Yes, it's only a matter of time.
I had faith in this conflict but I was proved wrong last night.
I say bring it on as well. I just hope the GOPers have the same attitude as freepers.
In the span of six years both parties have learned how it feels to have their asses royally kicked. That can't be a bad thing for the unity of the country.
The Dems can remember how it felt, and they know they can feel it again.
I wonder what would happen if the president went to the people on a weekly address and asked them to call senators and representatives that they elected, when he's blocked.
I'd like to be happy, but I can't, because I am not like them. I have to put country before party.
in our dreams they would do this, but the Dems are not that dumb - they will wait for Baker - if they can essentially get the same result, but have it be Baker's plan - they will take that.
ROFL. Now THAT appears to be a winning strategery.
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