“Hit the Ground Running” Suggested Solutions for the Democratic Platform BARBARA MITCHELL, JULY 14, 2008 To help Senator Obama Develop Results-Oriented Plans of Action to address U.S. Economic Challenges (Local/Global) and to “Hit the Ground Running” as U.S. President in January 2009: Please join us at the” Hit the Ground Running” platform meeting with your suggested solutions addressing the following Work/Action Plans: ● A Work-force Design/Plan” to Repair & Rebuild, the U.S. Infrastructure ● Plan-To Restore and Expand Manufacturing ● Plan-To Subsidize, Promote and Increase Local /National Farming ● Plan-To Decrease/Eliminate Foreign-Oil Dependency ● Plan-What “you” would do to pay off the Federal trillion-dollar debt Place: Portillo’s - 100 W. Ontario, Chicago Il 60654 When: July 17, 2008 Time: 6:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. “Reports from these meetings will be reviewed by the team responsible for the Democratic Platform. Some will be incorporated into the final platform, ratified at the Democratic National Convention.” On the light side, I can hear many of you thinking: “Get allllllll of thisssssss done in three hours …!” We will, because of our preparation before the meeting and solutions-only-format. It will be fun ! We are aware of the Economic Challenges the U. S. faces – due either to the non-existence or inadequacy in the areas listed above. Therefore, please come to the meeting with suggested solutions addressing the successful implementation of each of the above….Think: How? When? Where? Who? What? Why? Also, consider how each Challenge impacts the other. We ask that you include in your thinking checks and balances/ regulations, etc. related to each. For example, should our elected representative in each state, city, etc. be held more accountable for successful implementation? Should there be consequences other than just being elected, or not for another term when plans are not implemented as intended? If so, what should those consequences be? That’s a hard one; but think about it. Brainstorm with family and friends about these topics for solutions before attending the meeting. As a result of what has happened to our U.S. Economy, we can not assume what will be assumed, or leave too much up to chance and common-sense thinking….. I do not expect more than 10 to 15 people to respond; if more, we will divide into groups for our summaries. I will bring a tape recorder. We must think and act quickly to get this completed by my submission due date of July 24, 2008. Please think through your points fully before the meeting. If you desire, you can write them in a summary and e-mail them to me before the meeting, using the blank work sheet attached. I will e-mail to others who plan to attend. If you have specialized knowledge or, you are aware of unique reports that you wish to share, feel free to bring copies to the meeting, or e-mail them to me before the meeting. I would recommend also that you rent the video “Who killed the Electric Car?” before the meeting -- if you can….. A good way to refine our thinking and keep the subject matter as simple as possible is to imagine that you are writing a bill to be passed by the U. S. Congress, Senate, or as if you are going to physically begin to repair a bridge within 60 days etc. I have also attached below some thoughts on each of the plans above to fuel your thinking… If there is a major problem with a suggested solution from someone in the group (because of time) we will note the suggestion with a problem alert to be discussed when we do our summary report. If the problem alerts require more time than our meeting allows, we can discuss them after the meeting by e-mail or phone before submitting our information to the Democratic Platform for review…. Now, just for fun , the last 30 minutes we will do a role-play on what “you” would do to pay off the Federal trillion -dollar debt . If there are any real “number crunchers” interested, you might apply a time line with your suggestions in writing, or put them on an excel spread sheet. I will include copies of your written material in the submitted report. For more information and the work sheet on the trillion dollar debt click here….. Thank you for your participation and cooperation. |