Democrats Plan for Economic Change

With Congress in their control, the Democrats are seeking to address the economic needs of middle-class and working-class Americans. Although many political analysts argue that Bush’s presidential veto and his tax cuts that aren't set to expire until 2010 will make it difficult for the Democrats to enact radical economic change; many of the Democrats' newly proposed policies are focused on domestic economic problems. An article in the Washington Post, by Amy Goldstein and Lyndsey Layton, gives an overview of the various economic plans being proposed by the Democrats. Democrats plan to focus on “workers' pay, college tuition, health-care costs, retirees' income and other issues that touch ordinary families.” Many Democrats view the redirection of both domestic and foreign policies as a chance to respond to the wishes of voters and lay a strong foundation for the presidential election in 2008. The Democrats' economic plans are ambitious as they hope to respond to the needs of the middle class while also trying to tighten federal spending policies. Will the Democrats be able to maintain party unity within Congress and truly move America in the new direction they are seeking?