Sorry for the call for attention. I am working on a campaign right now, so I am trying to see what calls the most attention possible. Point of the thread though, what are the 5 most important issues you feel the left should be concerned with? The reason I bring it up, is because I personally think the leaders in the left do not stress the topics that are most important to their base, and that is a big reason why they are so weak. Not to leave you hanging I will give you my five big issues, but they are not left wing issues neccasrily. Actually, right or left wing, stress the 5 things you think government should be most concerned with.

1. Renewable Energy
2. Middle East peace process
3. Privatizing American education
4. Decrimanlizing Drugs in America
5. More States rights

Aren't some of your topics there conservative issues?


Mine w/ about 5 minutes' thought:
1) Universal Healthcare
2) Improvement of schools
3) Abolishing the Death Penalty
4) Increased participation as part of a global community
5) Improving (maybe downsizing) Prisons - "Hey, I'm a criminologist, what can I say?"

What exactly do you mean by global community?

Stuff like, active participation in UN, Kyoto treaty, land-mine treaty, etc ...

1. End so-called "War on Drugs"
2. Reduce size of government and reduce excessive salaries of congressman (talk about a pipe dream!)
3. Get us out of the U.N., or whip those fatties into shape so it actually works.
4. Eliminate "gun control" laws/BATF
5. Downplay relations with the PRC and become super-friends with Taiwan

Jes!!

That's what I thought, and it is definitely a concern Europe (and I guess the world) would appreciate the US to address, but I don't see that happening in the near future, do you?

Maybe it's long term, but a candidate is unlikely to get my vote with Bush's attitude toward foreign governments.

I guess foreign governments couldn't care less about Bush's arrogant attitude if it didn't have such a strong effect worldwide, you mentioned the Kyoto treaty and the negative impact of the US absence from the protocol on fighting global warming is obvious. As to the UN don't you feel there is a certain feeling, under the Bush Administration, that it represents a threat to the freedom of Americans?

I think that's obvious. I understand that fear, but it doesn't have to be that way.

What kind of campaign are you running?

Cool idea for a thread, by the way. I think the national Democrats (not so much the left) are really lacking any platform with substance right now.

I fear you may be too positive.

There are worse things to be.

You could be living in Darfur waiting for the UN.

Oh, and my five issues, in no particular order--even though I'm neither right nor left wing:

--Balanced and reduced budget on the federal level
--Increased price competition in the prescription drug market
--Automobile efficency and alternative energy research
--Better focus on education, with private & public coordination
--Work to establish more personal freedom

Kinda vague--if you want a better explanation, let me know.

*replies with wit and allows the thread to get back on topic*

How about an expanded view on personal freedom?

Well, an end to the War on Drugs, as you pointed out. Rolling back parts of the Patriot Act, reduced censorship, and a bunch of other little things that I'm trying to group into one big thing.

Care to elaborate?

So, you're advocating government should take a "hands off" approach towards the people with as little interference as possible?

With some exceptions, yes.