Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi: Democrats Work for Families

Democrats are united for a "new direction" that provides both national and economic security for the American people.

National security - feeling safe and secure - is part of the American dream, and so is economic and retirement security. Democrats have listened to the experts, but more importantly we have listened to the American people.

In San Francisco and around the country, this Republican economy is failing the middle class, putting the American dream farther out of reach for hard-working Americans and their children.

Yet, President George Bush and his rubber stamp Republican Congress continue to bury their heads in the sand, claiming the economy is great while Americans are worried about paying the bills today and the opportunities for their children tomorrow.

But despite the speed bumps this administration has placed on the road to the American dream, there is hope. That hope can be found in the spirit of the American people and Democrats' new direction for America. Democrats know the difficulties facing American families, and we know how to solve them.

With new direction strategies, Democrats will spur economic growth while increasing opportunity and prosperity. We will give 15 million hard-working Americans a raise on the first day we take control of Congress with an increase in the minimum wage.

San Francisco is leading the way with a minimum wage that exceeds the national level. It is long past time the rest of the country caught up. Our "innovation agenda" will create new jobs and educate the next generation of leaders. Essential to economic security for American families is access to health care, and we will make health care more affordable by giving the federal government the opportunity to negotiate to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

We will make college more accessible by cutting interest rates for student loans in half, and making tuition payments tax deductible. And we will do this with fiscal discipline. The Democrats' new direction will also secure a dignified retirement by strengthening Social Security and ensuring that America's seniors receive the benefits they have earned through a lifetime of hard work.

But Republicans, led by President Bush, are intent on undermining the guaranteed benefit Social Security has provided to seniors and people with disabilities for more than 70 years. We recently heard from the president and Republican leaders in Congress that privatizing Social Security will be one their top priorities next year.

Democrats believe we have to have a strong national security to protect the American people. But the strength of our country must also be measured by the economic well-being of America's families. Democrats will restore the promise of a better future.

Nancy Pelosi represents San Francisco in the U.S. House of Representatives.