Smith (WA09) - Editorials - Democrats Must Take Lead In Finding Better Solutions

For Democrats to once again succeed in our nation they must do only one thing: Offer solutions to the problems facing the people of our country.

As a starting point, it is just that simple. Democrats can only truly be on the verge of extinction if the Republicans in Congress and the White House have somehow already offered the solutions to the most significant problems our nation faces. This is clearly not the case.

On the issues of health care, education, retirement security, energy policy, the economy and even foreign policy there is a better path for our nation than the ones we are currently pursuing.

These issues present Democrats opportunities to offer better choices to the American people, particularly in the areas that have deteriorated the point of crisis.

For example, reimbursement rates for Medicare and Medicaid are so low in our state that seniors can=t get care. Even in the private insurance market, costs have skyrocketed, benefits have been reduced and a growing number of people have no health insurance at all.

People desperate to update their skills cannot get access to education because our colleges and technical schools do not have enough slots to meet the demand. The K-12 system is in such crisis that only 17 percent of the graduates from Pierce County public schools go on to any form of higher education.

On the foreign policy front, America has never faced such broad international hostility. Some of this may be unavoidable, but we can take steps to ensure that America has more friends and fewer enemies.

We also face a crisis in the developing world as more and more national economies collapse even after adopting so-called AWestern-style capitalism.@ Our nation=s prescription of lower taxes and less government spending to attract foreign investment has left too many nations without the health and education infrastructure necessary to sustain their economies. We need to rethink this approach.

Democrats clearly can offer a better agenda to address these issues and others. To be in the best position to do so, however, the party must first tackle two broad problems.

First, we must clearly reject the view of many of the left and in Europe that America=s foreign policy is basically immoral and unethical. Proponents of this view have compared President Bush to Adolph Hitler, blamed our nation for just about every ill facing the planet, claimed that our human rights record compares unfavorably to that of nations like China and Libya, and declared the United States to be the outlaw nation of the world.

While we can certainly make some changes in our foreign policy, the Democratic Party must firmly state that the values of our nation - democracy, economic growth, freedom and opportunity - are fundamentally sound, and make it clear that we will protect our nation from the threats we now face, even if we must endure some international criticism for taking the necessary steps.

Second, we must address the reality that a majority of taxpayers in our nation do not believe their tax money is well spent by their government. Most believe President Bush=s argument that individuals can always spend their money better than the government.

Taken to its logical conclusion, this view means paying taxes is never a good idea, and that we should rely only on the private market to provide for our society=s needs, including education, health care for retired seniors or transportation. If Democrats want a government that can make positive change in our society and in individuals= lives, it is up to us Democrats to reform government and make it more efficient and more effective.

Here in Washington state, Gov. Gary Locke has put together a budget this year that starts over from scratch. It looks at all government spending in an effort to find out where and how tax dollars can best be spent.

This step is long overdue for both the state and federal government. We can no longer just complain that voters are unwilling to pay for the level of government services necessary: we need to embrace a progressive, dynamic model for government that phases out unnecessary programs, changes with the times, is efficient and effective, and serves its customers - the citizens and taxpayers of America - well.

Democrats can=t be afraid to boldly pursue an agenda out of fear of the president=s popularity. While we must work with the president and the Republican majority in Congress when we agree, if we are to be successful we must also offer our own vision for the country that seeks to solve problems and improve people=s lives.

I am confident that a policy agenda that ensures America=s security, reforms and improves government, lays the foundation for economic growth, and offers better choices in health care and education will not only be the best thing for the Democratic Party, but the best thing for America.



	*Democrats Must Take Lead In Finding Better Solutions*

	November 24, 2002

	For Democrats to once again succeed in our nation they must do only one thing: Offer solutions to the problems facing the people of our country. As a starting point, it is just that simple. Democrats can only truly be on the verge of extinction if the Republicans in Congress and the White House have somehow already offered the solutions to the most significant problems our nation faces. This is clearly not the case. On the issues of health care, education, retirement security, energy policy, the economy and even foreign policy there is a better path for our nation than the ones we are currently pursuing. These issues present Democrats opportunities to offer better choices to the American people, particularly in the areas that have deteriorated the point of crisis. For example, reimbursement rates for Medicare and Medicaid are so low in our state that seniors can=t get care. Even in the private insurance market, costs have skyrocketed, benefits have been reduced and a growing number of people have no health insurance at all. People desperate to update their skills cannot get access to education because our colleges and technical schools do not have enough slots to meet the demand. The K-12 system is in such crisis that only 17 percent of the graduates from Pierce County public schools go on to any form of higher education. On the foreign policy front, America has never faced such broad international hostility. Some of this may be unavoidable, but we can take steps to ensure that America has more friends and fewer enemies. We also face a crisis in the developing world as more and more national economies collapse even after adopting so-called AWestern-style capitalism.@ Our nation=s prescription of lower taxes and less government spending to attract foreign investment has left too many nations without the health and education infrastructure necessary to sustain their economies. We need to rethink this approach. Democrats clearly can offer a better agenda to address these issues and others. To be in the best position to do so, however, the party must first tackle two broad problems. First, we must clearly reject the view of many of the left and in Europe that America=s foreign policy is basically immoral and unethical. Proponents of this view have compared President Bush to Adolph Hitler, blamed our nation for just about every ill facing the planet, claimed that our human rights record compares unfavorably to that of nations like China and Libya, and declared the United States to be the outlaw nation of the world. While we can certainly make some changes in our foreign policy, the Democratic Party must firmly state that the values of our nation - democracy, economic growth, freedom and opportunity - are fundamentally sound, and make it clear that we will protect our nation from the threats we now face, even if we must endure some international criticism for taking the necessary steps. Second, we must address the reality that a majority of taxpayers in our nation do not believe their tax money is well spent by their government. Most believe President Bush=s argument that individuals can always spend their money better than the government. Taken to its logical conclusion, this view means paying taxes is never a good idea, and that we should rely only on the private market to provide for our society=s needs, including education, health care for retired seniors or transportation. If Democrats want a government that can make positive change in our society and in individuals= lives, it is up to us Democrats to reform government and make it more efficient and more effective. Here in Washington state, Gov. Gary Locke has put together a budget this year that starts over from scratch. It looks at all government spending in an effort to find out where and how tax dollars can best be spent. This step is long overdue for both the state and federal government. We can no longer just complain that voters are unwilling to pay for the level of government services necessary: we need to embrace a progressive, dynamic model for government that phases out unnecessary programs, changes with the times, is efficient and effective, and serves its customers - the citizens and taxpayers of America - well. Democrats can=t be afraid to boldly pursue an agenda out of fear of the president=s popularity. While we must work with the president and the Republican majority in Congress when we agree, if we are to be successful we must also offer our own vision for the country that seeks to solve problems and improve people=s lives. I am confident that a policy agenda that ensures America=s security, reforms and improves government, lays the foundation for economic growth, and offers better choices in health care and education will not only be the best thing for the Democratic Party, but the best thing for America.

###