The aspiring majority

Eric Klein — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:50:14 GMT

The truth about politics is that a key element of campaigning has been to play upon the anxieties of the people rather than their hopes and dreams.

Now, we're adding fear as a major component. I tremble at the thought of what the next "major component" is going to become...

The aspiring majority

Olivia Elizabeth Burdon, Peoria, Ill. — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 18:05:30 GMT

I think that instead of the economy (which doesn't seem to be that big a deal these days now that gas prices have been dropping) the Democrats should focus on, and regularly call attention to, how the Bush Administration has totally dropped the ball regarding Katrina and Rita recovery in Mississippi, Louisiana, and the rest of the storm zone.

If the Democrats really want to live up to their reputation as the "people party," they should play up the fact that about a year after the storms people in Mississippi and Louisiana are still in a world of hurt. Katrina and Rita are not old news to their survivors, who have not been able to get over them or move on.

In the first of two thought-provoking anonymous posts in "Rising from Ruin," I read how in Mississippi the number of 17-21-year-old youths charged with DUI and other miscellaneous offenses has grown since Katrina, and is putting a strain on the local court system. Substance abuse and other hazardous and otherwise negative behaviors are merely a symptom of the emotional turmoil besetting Mississippi.

In the second post, I read about what a difficult time elderly Katrina survivors have been having--forced to live in cramped, uncomfortable FEMA trailers as they've been turned down for grant money. And there is no senior home they can go to. The poster adds that even people in reconstructed homes still suffer mentally, and that people from afar who come down to work with them still don't understand why they feel this way.

But I can imagine why--they may have new homes, but landmarks and everything else that had been familiar to them before the storm is gone forever. Not to mention day-in-and-day-out dealing with such hardships as the fact that Bay St. Louis does not have something so basic as a grocery store.

What Mississippi, Louisiana, and the rest of the storm zone is a Marshall Plan. Such a plan ideally would include counseling and other help for people now suffering mentally/emotionally from the effects of the storms. Since the Bush Administration obviously has no interest in such a plan, it would be an excellent idea for inclusion in the Democratic Party's platform.

The aspiring majority

Jim Frego, Grants Pass, OR — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 18:42:31 GMT

The economy is much better now than in 1999 when those darn Democrats ran things.

Thank the Mr. President for my 89 cents per month cut in taxes. I promise to invest it wisely to help the economy. The dividends I receive will help offset the $1.50/gal increase in gasoline costs, my monthly home energy cost increase of $25 per month and the $253/mo. increase in my health insurance since he took office.
Since I am a Senior on fixed income and Social Security, the extra $12 per month for gas to travel to the grocery store and doctor visits has been a great burden. I can't even afford to visit my grandchildren once a month like I used to. My health insurance premium increased from $71 to $253/month last year and the deductible increased form $350/family of 2 to $1000 each.
My Company Medical used to pay 100% for surgery. My wife just had eye surgery and we had to pay the $1000 deductible, 20% of the medical costs, plus another $150 because the best local doctor is not in the "NETWORK". I now choose between food and medicine. If this keeps up for another 5 years I will need food stamps to survive. I'm sure glad he is allowing the 12 million Immigrants to get FREE Medical attention
and Social Security Benefits. That keeps the doctors and nurses fully employed, insured SSI and lifetime income for them.
His stewardship in passing this great tax cut has really helped me and the ECONOMY. I'm sure MILLIONS of Americans feel the same as I.

The aspiring majority

Jane, Southern Mississippi — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 04:13:42 GMT

Yes, Jim, I thought when the Republicans were in control of both houses of Congress, as well as the Presidencey, our country would be heaven on earth. That's what I heard. Doesn't seem to be the case. However, when the Democrats embrace illegal immigration, they are helping undercut the working our country's working men and women, at the expense of profits for big business. Same as the Republicans who do the same thing and embrace overseas businesses run by US companies. I don't think either party is worth the ink it takes to print their letterheads asking for donations.
It used to be business thought of the good of the country and the elected politicians though of the good of their ocuntry's citizens.
I'm a Democrat, and there's nothing I like about Bush, but what's happened to the party of the people?