Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement:

"The failed policies of President Bush and the Republican-led Congress have undermined the safety and security of our country and left Americans less safe. From their permanent commitment to a failed strategy in Iraq to a pre-9/11 mindset that has kept them from closing vital gaps in our homeland security, Republicans in Washington have proven to be dangerously incompetent when it comes to protecting the American people.

"The American people are looking for change, not more of the same misleading rhetoric and failed leadership offered by Republicans. Today, Democrats are offering a new direction by providing a bold agenda for keeping America safe. We will make sure 2006 is a year of significant transition to Iraqi sovereignty; we will rebuild our military and National Guard; we will provide our troops and veterans the benefits they have earned; we will make sure our first responders have the equipment and training they need to keep our communities safe; and we will promote a real plan to make America energy independent by 2020.

"Democrats understand that homeland security begins with hometown security. We offer a bold vision for a safer America. We will not only hunt down the terrorists and provide our troops with the tools they need to stop future attacks, but we will do a better job of securing our ports and our nuclear power and chemical plants. Instead of their continued failure to take the steps necessary to protect the safety and security of our communities, President Bush and Republicans in Washington should join Democrats in fighting for an agenda that will provide Real Security for the American people."

WAR ON TERROR
To Defeat Terrorists and Stop the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction, we will:
Eliminate Osama Bin Laden, destroy terrorist networks like al Qaeda, finish the job in Afghanistan, and end the threat posed by the Taliban.

Double the size of our Special Forces, increase our human intelligence capabilities, and ensure our intelligence is free from political pressure.

Eliminate terrorist breeding grounds by combating the economic, social, and political conditions that allow extremism to thrive; lead international efforts to uphold and defend human rights; and renew longstanding alliances that have advanced our national security objectives.

Secure by 2010 loose nuclear materials that terrorists could use to build nuclear weapons or "dirty bombs."

Redouble efforts to stop nuclear weapons development in Iran and North Korea.
http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/03/real_security_t.php

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Fascism/14_Characteristics_Fascism.html (parenthetic comments are mine)

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism -- Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

(Seen many of those yellow magnetic ribbons lately? Got one on your car? How about flag stickers, marquees that say things like "United we stand" or "Support our troops?")

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights -- Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to 'look the other way' or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

(Any of that ring a bell?)

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause -- The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

(This democratic "security plan" buys directly into #3-- it begins with the assumption that we must unify against EXTERNAL THREATS. It utterly ignores the fact that the source of those threats is our own foreign policy, generated INTERNALLY.)

4. Supremacy of the Military -- Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

(Have you looked at the Pentagon's budget lately? Here's a hint: the U.S. spends more on it's military EVERY DAY than it spends for much of the year to insure the welfare of its citizens.)

7. Obsession with National Security -- Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

(Yep, that's the biggie. Tell me again how dems differ from republikans in that respect?)