It certainly seems amazing, but the race for the White House will be kicking into full gear in a matter of months. It won't be long (ok, it will be a while) before good or bad, one way or the other, we're finally rid of the Bush Administration forever. I've been vocal about my feelings on this election since the Democrats (against my will) forced John Kerry down our throats in 2004, vocal in as much as I will no longer vote against my conscience and for the lesser of two evils. If the Democrats throw another loser to the wolves, then the Democrats lose my vote... after all, surely Ralph Nader will run again.

However, as the 2006 midterm elections proved, Democrats don't have to lose! I know it's a strange thought, but it is possible for Democrats to run candidates that actually reach people and those people actually turn into votes - votes that actually turn into victories! Since we've only heard rumors (and the occasional "way to early" announcement of a candidacy... I'm looking at you Tom Vilsack) and speculation as to who wants to take the torch in '08 it would be unwise to start backing your horse just yet. So, instead of preaching about candidates, let me share with you a five point plan that could very well win the White House in 2008 for the beef nuggets drifting slightly to the left side of the bowl in our otherwise moderate political stew.

I've included a few faces of possible Democratic challengers just to break up the text. Four of the five of these would make for a fine leader... one I'm not so sure about. However, you can't start listing Democrats without including Hilary Clinton, I think there' s a law against it.

Point 1: Universal Healthcare

This has been a Democratic stump-speech issue dating back to when Bill Clinton decided to make it his baby back in 1992. A Republican controlled congress managed to thwart President Clinton at every turn and measures to improve healthcare in our country died on the floor. The key to this issue is to reassure the American people that socialized medicine doesn't mean taking away their doctors. The average American with health insurance, confident in their family doctor and generally satisfied with their medical plan doesn't like the idea of the government telling them where they need to take their kids for broken bones and flu outbreaks. It's important that we stress to these people that a new medical system could be put in place to assist the millions of Americans currently living and working uninsured. Clarify that we're not talking about mandatory compliance, but rather a safety net for those that can't afford to protect their families against illness.

It's also key to illustrate that this is good for EVERYONE'S pocketbook. Universal healthcare could drive down the cost of prescription medicine and healthcare in general (if the government's picking up the tab then your prescription costs will drop, that's a guarantee). Thus, even if you're not participating in the program, you'll reap the benefits with lower out-of-pocket costs should an illness befall you or your family.

Point 2: Reducing Foreign Oil Dependency

Practically everyone in this country agrees that we have to do something to curb our need for oil from countries that, well, hate us. It doesn't take a PhD to get your head around the concept that tying up our economic and military interests in hostile nations just to keep our cars on the road is a bad idea. This issue could have a five-point plan as well, but let's just brush over it.

We need to come at this idea from all directions. Using the vast desert and ample sunlight in the southwestern region of the country as giant solar collectors is step one. These areas are largely uninhabited and can generate enough power to run a major U.S. city with minimal intrusion on the scenic beauty of the area. The plains of the midwest could be dotted with windmills, providing yet another energy source that is not only eco-friendly but rather easy on the eye. Farmers in these areas could be compensated through government grants for turning over a few acres to wind power. These same farmers, along with others in Rural America, could turn vast corn crops into Ethanol to be used as a partial fuel substitute in modern vehicles. Finally, my favorite alternate energy source, COAL. Montana already has measures in place to turn the state's vast, often untapped coal resources into a clean-burning fuel that can be poured into your car's gas tank right now!

This four-pronged attack on fuel in this country is not only good for the environment, but also good for consumers. It will create thousands of jobs in Rural America, good paying jobs for people that are quite frankly in desperate need of the work. It gives hope to the tobacco farmer that's quickly becoming obsolete and could create new boomtowns across the nation. Compound those methods with strict guidelines in the automobile industry requiring higher mileage vehicles and you've cut our dependency on foreign oil in half, if not more. Once again, this helps your wallet. If fuel is cheap and readily available and cars are getting a minimum of 25 mpg, hundreds of extra dollars will be flowing into your pocket every year!

Point 3: Better Public Schools

Currently much of our funding for public schools comes from local property taxes. At first this may not sound like such a terrible idea, but think about the ramifications. To put it simply, low-income neighborhoods have low-income schools. If the average acre of land in your neighborhood sells for $100,000 then you are clearly going to be sending your children to a better school than your counterpart living in an area where the average piece of property could go for a tenth of that, or less. This has a crippling effect on rural and inner-city schools where property values are considerably lower than those in more affluent neighborhoods. Not only does this deprive millions of Americans of a quality education, but it also perpetuates the cycle of poverty that has a stranglehold on much of our nation. This system is as antequated as the poll tax and needs to go... now. The answer, more federal funding for low-income schools and an even disbursement policy for all school districts based on the number of students... not the price of their house.

Furthermore, we need an increase in grant programs encouraging our best and brightest young teachers to work in these areas. Young teachers, fresh from college, should be excused of ALL student loans in exchange for working a minimum of five years in either rural or inner-city schools. Many such programs already exist, but often only cover partial reimbursement of tuition costs and/or don't live up to the hype. In addition to recruiting young talent, we should reward the established talent that already exists in our schools. In any other job excellent performance is rewarded. Whether it be a raise, a bonus or even a promotion, top-shelf employees are given some sort of compensation for their efforts. Teachers, however, remain teachers until they retire and work for a set salary based on education level and time of employment. If a teacher shows exemplary work, reward that educator! Raises and bonuses for increased test scores not only encourage our public schools to improve, but the benefit the entire community.

Oh, and how about more scholarship and grant money, allowing more and more children from impoverished regions of the country to attend college for free or dramatically discounted rates? Back to school programs for non-traditional students? The sky's the limit!

Point 4: Ethics and Global Responsibility

Whether you support or denounce President Bush, there are two undeniable truths... he hasn't exactly instilled faith in the government for the majority of Americans and he has alienated many nations that we once considered allies.

As each day passes, China and India take a few more steps toward becoming global economic superpowers. In fact, statistics prove that in my lifetime (God willing I live that long) I'll see China surpass the United States and become the biggest economic and military superpower in the world. How did that happen? It happened through outsourcing, apathy and gross overspending. It happend through disregard of foreign nations and underestimating the ingenuity of your fellow man. It happend because we fell asleep at the wheel.

In 2008 we need to take initiative in this country to strengthen our resolve and re-establish ourselves as the world's lone superpower. Contrary to what some may say, this isn't done by smashing other nations into the ground with our latest war machines. This is done with negotiation and compromise. It's done by earning the respect and trust of other nations. Doing so not only makes America stronger, but it goes a long way in combating Anti-American sentiment worldwide, which happens to be the leading cause of terrorism. If we force ourselves to think globally and sit down not only with our friends, but with our perceived enemies, we can avoid unneccessary conflict and bring America back to what it once was... the America that my Grandfather talked about, that sadly I can't remember.

Point 5: Taxes and a Living Wage

To put this blunty, the wealthy should pay more taxes than the underprivilidged. In my estimation, that's a no-brainer. A household income of $50,000 can't afford to contribute at the same level as one that may reach into six or seven figures. If you've been blessed with wealth, then it's your civic duty to share that wealth with those less fortunate. Tax cuts, even if they're not for you, always sound like a good idea... however, the money has to come from somewhere. Surely the four ideas listed above seemed like fine ideas too, but how do we pay for them? We pay for them by demanding that the top 2% of Americans pay their fair share.

There should be an immediate investigation into exactly what a "living wage" is in this country and how we can bring our minimum wage workers into that pay scale while simultaneously combating inflation. Don't tell me that it can't be done, we're America, we can do anything. Futhermore, a complete overhaul of the tax system needs to be put in place by 2010. Those making less than $16,000 annually should be exempt from federal income tax, along with other tax-exempt measures for single parents and families with children making less than $30,000 combined. A raise in the minimum wage, with a reduced tax burden and inflation control will not only bring the poorest among us up to a basic-but-comfortable lifestyle, it will also reduce crime and create openings for larger tax-bases in the future... both good for you personally.

Now, there's no guarantee that these ideas will really click with the American people, but at least they feel fresh. American apathy can be directly attributed to the lack of vision in our leadership. In 2004 we saw a host of candidates standing on a stage and asking for the Democratic Nomination for the Presidency of the United States, and with the exception of Dennis Kucinich they all seemed to be rattling on about the same thing. The same ideas, very slightly (if at all) twisted to sound like their own, rambling on about absolutely nothing. It's hard to get excited about that, it was hard even for me and I obsess over this stuff.

I'm not here to tell these guys and girls how to run their railroad. I'm just throwing out some ideas... take 'em or leave 'em. But Democrats, don't miss the point of what I've been saying. It's not THOSE specific ideas that win voters over... it's ideas in general. Come with something new! If you can tell the American People something new, something that they haven't already heard a thousand times from countless lying politicians, they'll listen. And you know what, once you have them listening, having their vote is just a few minutes away.