What Democrats Would Do

I like Harold Meyerson's editorial today on what legislation we can expect a Democrat controlled congress to pass. Here are five things he suggests will happen immediately.

Raising the minimum wage

Repealing the Medicare legislation that forbids the government from negotiating with drug companies for lower prices

Replenishing student loan programs

Funding stem cell research

Implementing those recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission that have thus far languished

I also hope Meyerson is correct on this:

Cognizant that they will owe their victory in part to the public's revulsion at the way Congress does (or avoids) business, the Democrats also plan to revise House rules to enable the opposition party to introduce amendments and to sit on conference committees, from which Republicans have routinely excluded them since Tom DeLay became majority leader. They also will ban members from accepting gifts and paid trips from lobbyists.