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A Centrists’ Meeting In New York
If you’re a reader who is a centrist and you’re sitting around complaining that the center seems to be sagging in America, here is some important news 4 U:
This weekend there was a meeting of Centrists in New York City. It has been in the works for a few months now. You can read all about the meeting by CLICKING HERE FOR THIS POST on the centrist blog Centerfield.
Our co-blogger Jeremy Dibbell has A REPORT HERE on his great blog Charging Rino.
AmbivaBlog also has THIS ACCOUNT of the meeting.
3 Responses to “A Centrists’ Meeting In New York”
Question, just how would the readers of TMV define a moderate political agenda? If moderates had a “contract with America” what would it look like?
1. Using a multi-faceted approach to energy independence—-drilling, alternative energy development, giving tax breaks to Big Oil-only if they agree to increase refinery capacity, increased tax breaks to consumers and manufacturers of hybrids, removal of tariffs on imported ethanol. If we truly invested in new technology, we could then export that technology to the rest of the world.
2.Ending irresponsible tax cuts, which truly benefit the rich over middle-class and poor, in favor of more equitable tax relief–i.e cutting the federal gas tax.
3. Ending faith-based iniatives, and withdrawing tax-exempt status for religious organizations who engage in political activity.
4. Stabilizing social security by eliminating the Medicare prescription plan and taxing income over $90,000, and raising the age of eligibility. We could ill-afford this plan, and creating another entitlement was a blatant attempt to attract the 62+ crowd to the Republican party.
5. Supporting candidates who have been successful in working in a bi-partisan arena.
6. curtailing the influence of lobbyists–the ethics bill passed by the House was a joke!
7. term limits for Congress to curtail corruption
8.Breaking up Big Oil with anti-trust legislation–this group has too much political power.
9.Protecting American jobs with a sensible immigration policy. We could do this by enforcing existing law prohibiting employers from hiring illegals. If the jobs dry up, they will stop coming.
10.If we reduce foreign oil imports, we will be able to have a more rational policy in the Middle East and won’t be forced to support repressive regimes (Saudi Arabia, Iran under the Shah), to guarantee unlimited flow of oil.
Suggestions, Comments, Feedback????
I forgot an important addition:
11. Outlaw presidential signing statements. Bush has used these 750 times to get around provisions that he found unfavorable in laws enacted by this Congress. In this respect, and others he has create the Imperial Presidency, which is clearly so unpopular with liberals and moderates. For example, he added his own codicil onto the anti-torture bill. McCain got credit for standing up for his beliefs, and Bush got what he wanted, for everything to quietly continue as it had before, but without the public outrage.