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  2. Hastert on the outs, Pelosi takes the reins

Hastert on the outs, Pelosi takes the reins

By tfk on October 6, 2006.

SurveyUSA sez:

43% of Americans Say Hastert Should Resign From Congress, Another 20% Say Resign As Speaker But Remain in Congress

He allowed a sexual predator to abuse his power over pages and has run one of the least effective Congresses in modern history. Of course he should resign the Speakership.

Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi is laying out a very attractive vision of a Democratic House.

Day One: Put new rules in place to "break the link between lobbyists and legislation."

Day Two: Enact all the recommendations made by the commission that investigated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Time remaining until 100 hours: Raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, maybe in one step. Cut the interest rate on student loans in half. Allow the government to negotiate directly with the pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices for Medicare patients.

Broaden the types of stem cell research allowed with federal funds — "I hope with a veto-proof majority," she added in an Associated Press interview Thursday.

All the days after that: "Pay as you go," meaning no increasing the deficit, whether the issue is middle class tax relief, health care or some other priority.

Sounds like leadership. Something we've been sorely lacking for far too long.

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Policy and Politics

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I especially like the "pay as you go" at the end. Maybe we can get that extra money for the neat stuff by repealing the Paris Hilton Giveaway (and putting in an exemption for family farms to appease the ruralites).