Chris Dodd for President

U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd sees the middle class as the foundation of the United States.

It’s the middle class, he said Tuesday evening in Fort Dodge, that builds the country, runs the Scout troops and holds its families together.

The Democrat from Connecticut plans to help middle class folks afford their health care and the educations of their children if he becomes president.

Speaking to about 40 people at the Fort Dodge Public Library, Dodd outlined his concept of a ‘‘universal health mart’’ to ensure that every American could go to the doctor.

He said the strategy calls for gradually enrolling everyone in the health care program now available to federal employees. Everyone, he said, would pay into the program and everyone would get benefits from it.

The candidate proposes to reward providers who develop preventive medicine programs that keep people out of hospitals.

Dodd said Tuesday he’d start implementing the program in January 2009 if he’s elected.

As a senator, he’s already moving to help people with their health care. He has just authored an amendment to a federal law that would give family members of wounded veterans six months of leave from work to care for that veteran. He said the amendment passed the Senate unanimously and awaits action by the House of Representatives.

The amendment is to the Family Medical Leave Act that he championed about 10 years ago. . . .

Capitol Hill isn't going to be a fun place this year for credit card companies.

Last month, the Senate Banking Committee grilled industry representatives over the way they bill customers, market their cards and disclose fees. The panel is likely to hold more hearings, and another Senate committee plans to get in on the act, too.

After years of Republican control of Congress, Democrats are flexing their newfound oversight muscle. The fast-growing credit card industry makes for a prime target as Americans use their cards more, and issuers raise fees and interest charges.

In the kickoff hearing, which included testimony from executives and trade groups, committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said he was putting the industry on notice.

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