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A New Direction
Hope, faith, and optimism have always defined the American spirit. Never before have those qualities been more urgently needed. With a sense of urgency and in keeping with our optimistic American spirit, Democrats are advancing a New Direction for America. We believe America should work for everyone – not just the privileged few – by building opportunity and prosperity for all and guaranteeing real security. That was the vision of our Founding Fathers; that is our vision for the future. We know that Americans can work together to meet the serious challenges facing our country, create a stronger nation, and build a safer and freer world.
Over the past decade, the Republican controlled Congress took our nation in the wrong direction. Too many Americans are paying a heavy price for those wrong choices: record costs for energy, health care and education; jobs shipped overseas; and budgets that heap record debt on our children. For millions, the middle-class dream has been replaced by a middle-class squeeze. In spite of lessons learned by 9/11 and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, independent experts tell us Americans are still not as safe as we should be, and America’s leadership around the world has eroded.
Democrats are proposing a New Direction for America – to reassert our role as a respected international leader. Our New Direction advances national security priorities that are tough and smart, a military second to none, and a firm commitment to building diplomatic alliances to defeat terrorism, promote freedom, alleviate poverty, and stop global warming.
The New Direction for America advances the right priorities – to make our nation safer and our economy fairer; to make health care and college more affordable; to energize America with energy independence; and to guarantee a dignified retirement for all Americans. These initiatives – the product of a united Democratic House Caucus working together with our Senate colleagues – are our priorities for the 110th Congress. We are committed to building an America where all families can live and prosper in diverse, safe, and vibrant communities.
With integrity, civility and fiscal discipline, our New Direction for America will use commonsense principles to address the aspirations and fulfill the hopes and dreams of all Americans. That is our promise to the American people.
