Considering the source, Che, that's a badge of honor.

I'd like to be friends with everyone on BOL, including you, Becka Marr.

Below is a list of bills currently sponsored by democrats that are being blocked because the GOP runs the house. So this should be a little preview for anyone curious as to what the dems would do if they return to power, and some examples as to why you can't let that happen.

Department of Peace and Nonviolence Act — H.R. 3760: Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and 74 Democratic cosponsors propose a new “Department of Peace and Nonviolence” as well as “National Peace Day.” Cosponsors include three would-be Democratic Chairmen: John Conyers (Judiciary), George Miller (Education and the Workforce), and Charlie Rangel (Ways and Means).

Gas Stamps — H.R. 3712: Jim McDermott (D-WA) and eight Democratic cosponsors want a “Gas Stamps” program similar to the Food Stamps program to subsidize the gasoline purchases of qualified individuals.

Less Jail Time for Selling Crack Cocaine - H.R. 2456: Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and 23 Democratic cosponsors want to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for possessing, importing, and distributing crack cocaine. John Conyers, the would-be Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over the bill, is a cosponsor.

Voting Rights for Criminals - H.R. 1300: John Conyers (D-MI) and 32 Democratic cosponsors, and H.R. 663: Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and 28 Democratic cosponsors would let convicted felons vote. Rep. John Conyers is the would-be Democratic Chairman of the Judiciary Committee which would consider this legislation.

Expand Medicare to Include Diapers — H.R. 1052: Barney Frank (D-MA) supports Medicare coverage of adult diapers. Barney Frank is the would-be Chairman of the Financial Services Committee.

Nationalized Health Care - H.R. 4683: John Dingell (D-MI) and 18 Democratic cosponsors want to expand Medicare to cover all Americans. John Dingell is the would-be Democratic Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee who along with cosponsors Charlie Rangel, would-be Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and Henry Waxman, would-be Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, would have jurisdiction over the proposal.

Federal Regulation of Restaurant Menus — H.R. 5563: Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and 25 Democratic cosponsors authorize federal regulation of the contents of restaurant menus.

Taxpayer Funded Abortions & Elimination of all Restrictions on Abortion, Including Parental Notice - H.R. 5151: Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and 66 Democratic cosponsors want to overturn even minimal restrictions on abortion such as parental notice requirements. The bill would also require taxpayer funding of abortions through the various federal health care programs. John Conyers, the would-be Chairman of Judiciary Committee which has jurisdiction over the bill, is an original cosponsor.

Bill of Welfare Rights — H.J. Res. 29-35: Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) proposes a Soviet-style “Bill of Welfare Rights,” enshrining the rights of full employment, public education, national healthcare, public housing, abortion, progressive taxation, and union membership. On some these measures, Rep. Jackson is joined by up to 35 Democratic cosponsors, including would-be Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers.

Justice for the Unprotected against Sexually Transmitted Infections among the Confined and Exposed Act (JUSTICE) Act (Lee, D-CA)—H.R. 6083. Requires community organizations to be allowed to distribute sexual barrier protection devices (e.g. condoms) in federal prisons. Also prohibits a federal prison from taking adverse action against a prisoner who possesses or uses a sexual barrier protection device.

End the War in Iraq Act (McGovern, D-MA)—H.R. 4232. Defunds the War in Iraq, forcing immediate troop withdrawal.

Universal National Service Act (Rangel, D-NY)—H.R. 4752. Makes it an obligation of every U.S. citizen, and every other person residing in the U.S., between the ages of 18 and 42, to perform a two-year period of national service, either as a member of an active or reserve component of the armed forces or in a civilian capacity that promotes national defense.

Tupac Shakur Records Release Act of 2006 (McKinney, D-GA)—H.R. 4968. Enshrines copies of government records concerning rapper Tupac Shakur in a specially created collection at the National Archives.

Antibullying Campaign Act (Nadler, D-NY)—H.R. 3787. Creates a new federal grant program aimed at reducing bullying in public schools “based on any distinguishing characteristic of an individual.”

Not listed is Raise your taxes, Cut the Millitary, and retreat against terrorism.

Most of those sound pretty good, X. Thanks for the info.

I'm split pretty evenly on those, X. I like National Peace Day, Medicare coverage for diapers (I'm sure they get expensive for adults, too), national health care (although it has to be pricy), welfare rights, STD protection, Universal National Service Act and the anti-bullying. Not so hot about gas stamps, regulating menus or taxpayer funded abortions (although I consider myself pro-choice). Never really thought too much about Tupac, so I'll go either way on this.

Sounds good to me, Bacon Boy - now, could you arrange to send in your money to pay for all the plans that you like? Surely, you and Sweetpeas don't want our money for your stuff, right?

I hope they hurry up with those restaurant menus, I can barely make a decision on what to eat without government intervention. Thanks X.

Some of those programs seem like good ideas. Some don't. I'm more of a "free will" Democrat, meaning I like think of myself in the old-school style of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Andrew Jackson, etc.

I'm in favor of any legislation that would protect our fundamental human rights, and I do believe that as humans we have the fundamental right to many of the things Congressman Jackson is proposing.

I am against any outrageous spending by the government, so I am in full favor of the defunding of the Iraq war.

I am also against any attempt to legilsate what people have the choice to eat.

But...I look at tomorrow as a choice. We can "stay the course" or "vote for change". I don't like the road I'm travelling on, so I'm up for a little detour. If it fails, well, we've only got another 2 years before we can do it all over again.

I would need more info on the restaurant thing, but I thought it was more along the lines of allergy warnings and information like that, not determining what food can be served.

oh, so since they are GOP earmarks they MUST be worthy of tax dollars? why not just confront the issue i raised?

or is election season and your lexicon only knows fear? fear of terrorism, fear of actually paying for what you spend, etc...

Sounds like someone watched 60 minutes last night where they did a story on earmarks.

If Peace Day means a day off, I am all for it. Otherwise, those are a waste of $ and time. I really don't need Uncle Sam running health care (Medicaid and Medicare are running very well) or getting involved in any of those areas....