I just finished listening to Rahm Emanuel talk on C-Span's podcast about his newest book, co-authored with Bruce Reed, entitled "The Plan: Big Ideas for America" and I have to say that I'm impressed. Go ahead and read part of the plan. Or you can read the WaPo book review.

Oh, sure I'm probably naturally inclined to like what I hear from the DCCC chairman, but "The Plan" is rather impressive. It is not overly ambitious, but it does clearly lay out a roadmap where Democrats believe America should go. With only 40 days left before the mid-term elections, it is all the more important to figure out what each party plans to do if elected. If Emanuel and Reed get their way, they have an 8-point plan.

• Universal Civilian Service
• Universal College Access
• Universal Retirement Savings
• Universal Children's Healthcare
• End gerrymandering
• Tax Reform
• Fighting the War on Terror Smarter
• Energy Independence

Now, you may or may not like the plan, but at least you know what the Democratic caucus wants to do over the next 2 years.

Compared that with the little that the Republican-controlled Congress has done over the last 6 years, Democrats look more prepared and ready to govern.

The most important question is: What is the Republican plan? More of the same?

No thanks. I've had enough.

Crossposted at Page 132

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I was going to respond to Linda's many comments about my post yesterday with my own comments but found that I had too much to say. And I believe that Linda has provided me with the opportunity to further delve into some of the issues I discussed in yesterday's post.

There has been a lot of talk in the blogosphere about the latest New York Times article on the supposed identify crisis on the Democratic Party. One person talking about it is Arianna Huffington. Today Arianna says,

"In the latest installment, Democratic leaders decide to have an all-out, full blown identity crisis. On the front page of the New York Times. Above the fold.

Except the only ones laughing will be Republicans.

The party bigwigs -- both those on the record and off -- come across as dithering, hand wringing poltroons, worried about taking too strong a stand on... anything. It's as if they've learned nothing from the last three elections."

<!--extended-->Arianna then goes on to describe how Democrats need to push hard on the national security issue and that this is key to regaining power.

While I don't completely disagree with Arianna, I think she is missing the big picture, particularly from the average person's perspective.

I wrote this message today to someone on a Jim Wallis-oriented online group that I am a part of. The question was asked of the group:

"What passage from the Bible do you find most helpful in defining your political position?"

This person responded:

I think that the passage with the "double whammy" strikes me as a solid endorsement of societal responsibility for the "thirsty" those without safe drinking water), "hungry" (those who suffer from malnutrition), and so on.