Dear Shirley,

Here's what readers of the Washington Post woke up to on a recent Sunday morning:

Confident Democrats Lay Out Agenda

Democratic leaders, increasingly confident they will seize control of the House in November, are laying plans for a legislative blitz during their first week in power that would raise the minimum wage, roll back parts of the Republican prescription drug law, implement homeland security measures and reinstate lapsed budget deficit controls.

The buzz is finally building in the press about what nearly 70% of Americans know, according to recent polls: enough is enough, and it's time for real change.

Democrats are on the rise, but the November elections are six months away and we can't let this opportunity slip. We need to build steadily until then -- more staff on the ground, more outreach to ordinary Americans, and more resources to get out the vote.

With your help we can raise $250,000 this week that will be focused on one goal: winning in 2006. Can you make a donation of $50 or even $25 to make it happen?

http://www.democrats.org/win2006

Every single day our operation across the country makes personal contact with more and more Americans. People are responding to our simple, common-sense agenda:

1. Honest Leadership & Open Government -- We will end the Republican culture of corruption and restore a government as good as the people it serves.
2. Real Security -- We will protect Americans at home and lead the world by telling the truth to our troops, our citizens and our allies.
3. Energy Independence -- We will create a cleaner and stronger America by reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
4. Economic Prosperity & Educational Excellence -- We will create jobs that will stay in America by restoring opportunity and driving innovation.
5. A Healthcare System that Works for Everyone -- We will join 36 other industrialized nations by making sure everyone has access to affordable health care.
6. Retirement Security -- We will ensure that a retirement with dignity is the right and expectation of every single American.

These six simple points will be the keys to our victory in 2006. If you're ready to be a part of the change, make your donation now:

http://www.democrats.org/win2006

Day by day, with the resources you provide, we are rebuilding a sense of community in our country. The year 2006 can be a year of change only if ordinary Americans come together and decide that it's time to start providing real solutions to problems that we face.

It's going to take a lot of work between now and November to get our message out and reach every voter who wants change. But with your donation it can happen. Please contribute whatever you can afford to push Democrats to victory in 2006:

http://www.democrats.org/win2006

Democrats are ready to lead, and with your help we're going to be leading a new majority in Congress and countless new elected officials in every state at every level of office.

But it's up to you to take the lead now and drive this victory. You have the power to transform our government -- and that's exactly what we're going to do.

Thank you.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.