# What would a Democratic Contract With America look like? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 9, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644 "2015-03-09T23:01:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/181 "2015-03-12T15:34:32Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Thus begins the Democratic Contract On America. America is federal constitutionally but not ontologically. The identification “Floridian” has not the same ontological reality as the identification “American.” And you know it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/182 "2015-03-12T16:00:51Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > America is federal constitutionally but not ontologically. The identification “Floridian” has not the same ontological reality as the identification “American.” And you know it. Do not presume to tell me what I know. We’ve been down that road before… You just said you don’t care about the constitution. The vast majority of Americans do. If you’re going to purposely ignore the constitution, you’re no longer making a contract with America. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/183 "2015-03-12T16:09:33Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > You just said you don’t care about the constitution. **No, I didn’t.** See post #180. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > If you’re going to purposely ignore the constitution, you’re no longer making a contract with America. Nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/184 "2015-03-12T16:32:13Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > No. I believe that in **any** country, the **best** level of government for a particular government function is a matter to be decided without reference to constitutional law. Whether it can actually be placed at that level is a question to which constitutional law might be relevant. This isn’t exactly gibberish, but it’s close. The only meaning I can drag out from these sentences is that somebody or other should decide what level of government is appropriate for a given function, but they can’t do anything to implement that unless the Constitution allows it. Which sounds like a waste of time - why are they bothering deciding anything if they can’t carry it out? Wouldn’t it be more efficient to include considerations of the Constitution, so they wouldn’t be spinning their wheels? Also, I wonder who exactly should be making these decisions if one doesn’t bother one’s head about the Constitution. The President, Congress, and the federal courts all derive their authority ultimately from the Constitution. If they are not acting under that authority, why should I or anyone else give a shit what they decide? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/185 "2015-03-12T16:51:07Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > This isn’t exactly gibberish, but it’s close. > > The only meaning I can drag out from these sentences is that somebody or other should decide what level of government is appropriate for a given function, but they can’t do anything to implement that unless the Constitution allows it. Or unless the Constitution is **changed.** > [@John\_Mace](#): > > If you’re going to purposely ignore the constitution, you’re no longer making a contract with America. And that is nonsense because a valid Contract With America – to the extent such a thing can be said to be valid at all – can include promises to change the Constitution in any way conceivable, or to scrap it and write a new one. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/186 "2015-03-12T16:57:11Z")
So your idea of a Democratic Contract with America includes proposals to amend the Constitution to allow politicians to do things they are forbidden to do now? And this will appeal to centrists? What Constitutional amendments do you suggest? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/187 "2015-03-12T16:57:53Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Or unless the Constitution is **changed.** > > And that is nonsense because a valid Contract With America – to the extent such a thing can be said to be valid at all – can include promises to change the Constitution in any way conceivable, or to scrap it and write a new one. You weren’t proposing a change to the constitution. You were proposing that it didn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/188 "2015-03-12T17:19:25Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > You weren’t proposing a change to the constitution. You were proposing that it didn’t matter. **No,** I was proposing that it is irrelevant to one particular question. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/189 "2015-03-12T17:32:59Z")
A single subject bill requirement. It’d have to be a constitutional amendment, though. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/190 "2015-03-12T17:50:20Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > A single subject bill requirement. It’d have to be a constitutional amendment, though. I believe some state constitutions have such a provision; they could provide a model for the wording. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/191 "2015-03-12T17:53:12Z")
[Florida’s](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/Index.cfm?Mode=Constitution&Submenu=3&Tab=statutes#A3S06) is the one I had in mind, yes. I’m not sure how many other states have them. > [@](#): > > Every law shall embrace but one subject and matter properly connected therewith, and the subject shall be briefly expressed in the title. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/192 "2015-03-12T18:02:21Z")
How about this one: **We intend to implement mandatory background checks on all firearms purchases. However, we recognize that guns are an important part of the American culture and have established protections under the Constitution and will resist any attempt to restrict the rights of Americans to keep and bear arms.** The background check thing has overwhelming support and the pledge to protect the 2nd cuts the legs out from under the GOP. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/193 "2015-03-12T19:30:14Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > How about this one: > > **We intend to implement mandatory background checks on all firearms purchases. However, we recognize that guns are an important part of the American culture and have established protections under the Constitution and will resist any attempt to restrict the rights of Americans to keep and bear arms.** > The background check thing has overwhelming support and the pledge to protect the 2nd cuts the legs out from under the GOP. This would be portrayed as a contradiction by opponents, though. Imagine if some conservative party said: **“We intend to implement mandatory voter ID requirements for all elections. However, we recognize that voting is an important part of American culture and has established protections under the Constitution and will resist any attempt to restrict the rights of Americans to freely vote.”** ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/194 "2015-03-12T19:33:01Z")
You mean like [this one](https://www.gop.com/platform/we-the-people/)? > [@](#): > > Honest elections are the foundation of representative government. We support State efforts to ensure ballot access for the elderly, the handicapped, military personnel, and all authorized voters. For the same reason, we applaud legislation to require photo identification for voting and to prevent election fraud, particularly with regard to registration and absentee ballots. We support State laws that require proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration to protect our electoral system against a significant and growing form of voter fraud. Every time that a fraudulent vote is cast, it effectively cancels out a vote of a legitimate voter. Those background check/gun rights pledges are only contradictory to people who believe the nutjobbery about how Big Government is going to come and take away their guns as a prelude to imposing martial law and mandatory gay marriage. Those people are not going to vote for Democrats under any circumstances anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/195 "2015-03-12T19:52:24Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Those background check/gun rights pledges are only contradictory to people who believe the nutjobbery about how Big Government is going to come and take away their guns as a prelude to imposing martial law and mandatory gay marriage. Those people are not going to vote for Democrats under any circumstances anyway. Again, this is like saying, _ **“Those voter ID requirements are only contradictory to people who believe the nutjobbery about how such restrictions are meant to take away their ability to vote. Those people are not going to vote for Republicans under any circumstances anyway.”** _ ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/196 "2015-03-12T20:31:34Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Again, this is like saying, > > _ **“Those voter ID requirements are only contradictory to people who believe the nutjobbery about how such restrictions are meant to take away their ability to vote. Those people are not going to vote for Republicans under any circumstances anyway.”** _ No, it’s really not. Roughly 70% of voters support Voter ID, but only 55% of Democrats (and 66% of Independents). African-American support is at 51%. So popular, but also creates a divide. It’s nothing like universal background checks - 92% of all voters, gun owners also at 92% and the even the GOP is at 86% support. It’s OVERWHELMINGLY popular and has the added advantage of being bipartisan. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/197 "2015-03-12T20:58:23Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > No, it’s really not. Roughly 70% of voters support Voter ID, but only 55% of Democrats (and 66% of Independents). African-American support is at 51%. So popular, but also creates a divide. Sounds pretty centrist to me. If this thread were about proposals that would appeal to the center, and not another liberal wish list, I would think voter ID should be in the Contract. > [@](#): > > It’s nothing like universal background checks - 92% of all voters, gun owners also at 92% and the even the GOP is at 86% support. It’s OVERWHELMINGLY popular and has the added advantage of being bipartisan. Would these background checks include inheritance and/or gifts? If so, how might that affect the proposal’s popularity? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/198 "2015-03-12T21:20:08Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Sounds pretty centrist to me. If this thread were about proposals that would appeal to the center, and not another liberal wish list, I would think voter ID should be in the Contract. The popularity does not change the fact that voter ID is a bad idea and a solution to a nonproblem. As such it has no place in the Contract; including it because of its popularity would be pandering. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/199 "2015-03-12T21:22:35Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Good stuff, except for the first and last. The payroll tax cap issue is problematic since it sets in pretty low. That’s a very significant tax increase for a big part of the democratic base, especially in the more well off blue states. Not a 60% issue when you get into the details. In general its still lower-income people who are more likely to vote Democrat-thus even in blue states a good proportion if not a majority of the upper middle-class is Republican. > [@](#): > > The last, as I’ve contended before, goes to the core of who the Democrats are right now. Changing into a purely economic populist party that deemphasizes social issues will cause the coalitions to shuffle. The democrats will win more white working class voters and lose more white professional voters. Giving up on abortion would cost the Democrats’ their advantage among women voters. That is a calculation I am willing to make, since I believe the best path for the Democratic Party currently to both take the best-possible ideological stance and to build a broad coalition that can control both the White House and Congress is a New Deal 2.0 coalition of middle and working-class individuals of both races and sexes. This is for instance the only way Democrats have a shot at winning any white Congressional district in the South which is necessary for a Democratic majority there. Additionally women and men hold roughly the same views on abortion although women are more intense (both on the pro-life and choice camps) on the issue. > [@XT](#): > > Always an excuse. 😉 Well, good luck with this. I think you are better off looking at vertical issues that lefties like that also have a broader appeal outside of the left wing community and going with those as planks, but I think in order to work you are going to have to also look at things that appeal to centrist types from the right wing and moderates as well to be a true Contract with America. That was the actual hook for Newt’s contract and how the Republicans we able to be successful. Your guy Clinton understood this and was able to do unto the Republicans as they had done unto the Democrats, but I haven’t really seen any indication that the Dems grasp this very well. The desire for “centrism” is that the centrism of the American electorate as opposed to that of Tom Friedman isn’t the Third Way/sugar-coated neoliberalism of legalized abortion and privatized Social Security but oftentimes radical stances on various issues that ‘averages out’ to centrism-thus you have voters who strongly support preserving Social Security while at the same time enthusiastically supporting the death penalty for murderers. Thus the solution is to emphasize the issues which are popular among large majorities of the electorate and build a coherent narrative around it. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644/200 "2015-03-12T21:51:48Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > In general its still lower-income people who are more likely to vote Democrat-thus even in blue states a good proportion if not a majority of the upper middle-class is Republican. N.B.: It is also the highly educated, people with graduate degrees, who mostly vote Dem. The “middle class” that votes Republican is those with college degrees only. > [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > That is a calculation I am willing to make, since I believe the best path for the Democratic Party currently to both take the best-possible ideological stance and to build a broad coalition that can control both the White House and Congress is a New Deal 2.0 coalition of middle and working-class individuals of both races and sexes. I would strongly contend that the “best-possible ideological stance” for that purpose would be a left-progressive or social-democratic stance – as distinct from liberalism, neoliberalism, and the “Third Way.” Face it, most voters who would ever possibly vote Dem don’t want to hear about technocratic or market-based solutions; they would rather hear how the party is going to Fight the Power. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-democratic-contract-with-america-look-like/714644.md?page=11)