Democratic Agenda: [ Political party seeking direction and vision. Apply within ]

After doing some reading and emailing today (the subject of both being politics) I've reached a disheartening conclusion. The Democratic party is still really fucked up. Yeah, I know. Who didn't know that? It's really bumming me out though. This is 2006. Winning a significant number of seats in the House and Senate is just so crucial, so important, it should be the number one focus of the Democratic party right now. Hell, it should have been the number one focus since November, '04. I realize the fund raisers and consultants and image polishers are already in full swing. But something really, REALLY important is absent. It's been AWOL for at least 12 years now. Democratic politicians and leaders appear to have no clue what the hell they want to do if they actually manage to win. They still can't explain to voters why they should choose them over the Republicans. Yes, yes, they're the "Not Republican" party. We get that. But in order to win, and in order to lead, there has to be something more to being a Democrat than just being "Not Republican". That won't win an election for dog catcher, much less an election against an incumbent politician who is backed by what might be the slickest, most disciplined political machine in anyone's memory. So here's some homework for Democrats, both voters and politicians.

Answer these questions:

What is the "Democratic vision"?
Why is the Democratic vision preferable to the GOP vision?
What is the Democratic agenda and the game plan for reaching the goals of that agenda?
How can this vision and agenda be effectively articulated to voters?
What would be an effective strategy to build tough, cohesive party unity among the various Democratic and progressive political and social activists and their following?

Well, feel free to reply. I think these are the questions that Democratic voters need to be bugging the party leadership and politicians about. An optimisitic, affirmative Democratic vision for the future and an agenda to get us there are absolutely crucial to achieving the big victories that us Democrats are longing for in November.