From his website, Dave Ramsey has a solution to the financial crisis! It totally makes sense and we should send this information to our Senators and Congressman. Go to the following link to read The Common Fix Sense.
http://www.daveramsey.com/media/pdf/the_common_sense_fix.pdf
9/30/2008
9/26/2008
Obama's Radical Associations - Part 1 - Bill Ayers
William Charles "Bill" Ayers (born 1964) is and American elementary education theorist and former leading 1960's militant. He is most well known for his violent radical activism in the 1960's and 1970's, his current work in education reform, curriculum and instruction, and his association with 2008 Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. In 1969 he cofounded the violent radical left organization Weatherman, which was active during the 1960's and 1970's. He is now a professor in the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, holding the honor of Distinguished Professor.
As part of Weatherman organization, Ayers participated in the bombings of New York City Police Headquarters in 1970, the United States Capitol building in 1971, and The Pentagon in 1972, as he noted in his 2001 book, Fugitive Days. Much of the controversy about Ayers during the decade since the year 2000 stems from an interview he gave to the New York Times on the occasion of the memoir's publication. The reporter quoted him as saying "I don't regret setting bombs" and "I feel we didn't do enough", and, when asked if he would "do it all again" as saying "I don't want to discount the possibility." Ayers has not denied the quotes, but he protested the interviewer's characterizations in a Letter to the Editor published September 15, 2001. (Source) William Charles "Bill" Ayers is an unrepentant terrorist.
A lot of people have accused Barack Obama as having terrorist ties due to his association with Bill Ayers, but I don't agree with that. Obama was 8 years old when Ayers was blowing up stuff. But how and why do Obama and Ayers even have an association?
Obama Chief Strategist David Axelrod: "Bill Ayers lives in his neighborhood. Their kids attend the same school...they're certainly friendly, they know each other, as anyone whose kids go to school together." (Ben Smith, "Ax On Ayers," The Politico's "Ben Smith" Blog, www.politico.com, 2/26/08.)
Obama Spokesman Bill Burton: "Senator Obama strongly condemns the violent actions of the Weathermen group, as he does all acts of violence...But he was an eight-year-old child when Ayers and the Weathermen were active, and any attempt to connect Obama with events of almost 40 years ago is ridiculous." (Russell Berman, "Obama's Ties to Left Come Under Scrutiny," The New York Sun, 2/19/08.) (Source)
Even though it's "ridiculous" to connect Obama with events over 40 years ago it is unsettling that Obama is friendly with an unrepentant terrorist. Has the mainstream media done a good job investigating this? Just ask yourself, have you heard about this friendly association before reading this? Probably not. There's your answer.
As part of Weatherman organization, Ayers participated in the bombings of New York City Police Headquarters in 1970, the United States Capitol building in 1971, and The Pentagon in 1972, as he noted in his 2001 book, Fugitive Days. Much of the controversy about Ayers during the decade since the year 2000 stems from an interview he gave to the New York Times on the occasion of the memoir's publication. The reporter quoted him as saying "I don't regret setting bombs" and "I feel we didn't do enough", and, when asked if he would "do it all again" as saying "I don't want to discount the possibility." Ayers has not denied the quotes, but he protested the interviewer's characterizations in a Letter to the Editor published September 15, 2001. (Source) William Charles "Bill" Ayers is an unrepentant terrorist.
A lot of people have accused Barack Obama as having terrorist ties due to his association with Bill Ayers, but I don't agree with that. Obama was 8 years old when Ayers was blowing up stuff. But how and why do Obama and Ayers even have an association?
- Obama first met Ayers at a 1995 meeting of local liberal activists that took place in Ayers' home. The meeting launched Obama's Illinois State Senate candidacy and allowed Ayers to introduce him "to the Hyde Park community as the best thing since sliced bread." (Ben Smith, "Obama Once Visited '60s Radicals," The Politico, 1/22/08.)
- From 1999 to 2002, Obama served with Ayers on the board of directors for the Woods Fund of Chicago. (Timothy J. Burger, "Obama's Chicago Ties Might Fuel 'Republican Attack Machine'," Bloomberg, 2/15/08.)
- "[Obama and Ayers] have also appeared jointly on two academic panels, one in 1997 and another in 2001." (Timothy J. Burger, "Obama's Chicago Ties to Left Come Under Scrutiny," The New York Sun, 2/19/08.)
- In 1997, Obama reviewed Ayer's book, A Kind and Just Parent: The Children of Juvenile Court, in the Chicago Tribune, calling it "a searing and timely account of the juvenile court system." (Chicago Tribune, 12/21/97.)
- In 2001, Ayers contributed $200 to Obama's State Senate campaign. (National Institute on Money in State Politics Website www.follthemoney.org, Accessed 2/15/08.)
Obama Chief Strategist David Axelrod: "Bill Ayers lives in his neighborhood. Their kids attend the same school...they're certainly friendly, they know each other, as anyone whose kids go to school together." (Ben Smith, "Ax On Ayers," The Politico's "Ben Smith" Blog, www.politico.com, 2/26/08.)
Obama Spokesman Bill Burton: "Senator Obama strongly condemns the violent actions of the Weathermen group, as he does all acts of violence...But he was an eight-year-old child when Ayers and the Weathermen were active, and any attempt to connect Obama with events of almost 40 years ago is ridiculous." (Russell Berman, "Obama's Ties to Left Come Under Scrutiny," The New York Sun, 2/19/08.) (Source)
Even though it's "ridiculous" to connect Obama with events over 40 years ago it is unsettling that Obama is friendly with an unrepentant terrorist. Has the mainstream media done a good job investigating this? Just ask yourself, have you heard about this friendly association before reading this? Probably not. There's your answer.
9/22/2008
A Thought On Abortion
"I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born." - Ronald Reagan.
9/16/2008
Health Care: Obama & Biden's Plan
Health care is a big deal for a lot of Americans...especially the 46 million people who don't have health insurance. Barack Obama and Joe Biden's plan for health care is too lengthy to be listed word for word on this blog, but for a full description visit Obama's website.
In a nutshell, Obama's plan includes making "available a new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress." Some of the features include that it will be guaranteed eligibility, comprehensive benefits, affordable premiums, subsidies, simplified paperwork, easy enrollment, portability & choice, and quality & efficiency. (Source)
I believe that a national health care system could benefit every American, but think it would be a horrible mistake to implement. "The Obama plan will cost between $50-$60 billion per year when fully phased in." (Background Questions and Answers on Health Care Plan, www.barackobama.com.) This is just one part of the trillion dollars of new spending that Obama will implement if elected president. Taxes will be raised, tax cuts will expire, free market health care will go down the tube, and will eventually go bankrupt like Social Security and Medicare due to government involvement.
President Ronald Reagan said it best in his first inaugural address in 1981, "It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the federal government and those reserved to the states or to the people. All of us need to be reminded that the federal government did not create the states; the states created the federal government.
"Now, so there will be no misunderstanding, it's not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it work -- work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it." (Source)
Nationalized health care would take away the free market and incentive for individuals and businesses to continuing developing the technologies and medicines that have made America with the best health care in the world. Other countries that have nationalized health care come to America to get treatment because it is far superior and are willing to pay the price! Do we really want our government taking over another program and "smothering" it? Feel free to voice your opinion by commenting.
In a nutshell, Obama's plan includes making "available a new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress." Some of the features include that it will be guaranteed eligibility, comprehensive benefits, affordable premiums, subsidies, simplified paperwork, easy enrollment, portability & choice, and quality & efficiency. (Source)
I believe that a national health care system could benefit every American, but think it would be a horrible mistake to implement. "The Obama plan will cost between $50-$60 billion per year when fully phased in." (Background Questions and Answers on Health Care Plan, www.barackobama.com.) This is just one part of the trillion dollars of new spending that Obama will implement if elected president. Taxes will be raised, tax cuts will expire, free market health care will go down the tube, and will eventually go bankrupt like Social Security and Medicare due to government involvement.
President Ronald Reagan said it best in his first inaugural address in 1981, "It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the federal government and those reserved to the states or to the people. All of us need to be reminded that the federal government did not create the states; the states created the federal government.
"Now, so there will be no misunderstanding, it's not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it work -- work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it." (Source)
Nationalized health care would take away the free market and incentive for individuals and businesses to continuing developing the technologies and medicines that have made America with the best health care in the world. Other countries that have nationalized health care come to America to get treatment because it is far superior and are willing to pay the price! Do we really want our government taking over another program and "smothering" it? Feel free to voice your opinion by commenting.
9/10/2008
Abortion: Candidate Stance
Abortion is a huge topic and one of the defining issues that individuals will vote for or against a candidate. The topic of abortion is usually referenced with the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade. I've actually heard the term Roe v. Wade mentioned all my life, but actually never really knew what it meant until recently. For those of you who were/are also in my situation let me give you a summary of this historic decision.
Roe v. Wade is a controversial United States Supreme Court case that resulted in a landmark decision regarding abortion. The decision overturned all state and federal laws outlawing or restricting abortion that were inconsistent with its holdings. The central holding of Roe v. Wade was that abortions are permissible for any reason a woman chooses, up until the "point at which the fetus becomes 'viable,' that is, potentially able to live outside the mother's womb, albeit with artificial aid. Viability is usually placed at about seven months (28 weeks) but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks." Now let's see what he candidate believes about abortion (source).
Barack Obama: On his website I quote, "Barack Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women’s rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case."
John McCain: On his website I quote, "John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench. Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, returning the abortion question to the individual states. The difficult issue of abortion should not be decided by judicial fiat."
Here's a YouTube video clip of Obama and McCain on abortion 8/16/2008 at Saddleback Church moderated by Pastor Rick Warren.
As a first time new father, the thought of having an abortion done when my wife was 7 months along absolutely sickens me. It sickens my wife. Our baby was full of life and had been since conception. I truly believe that and as such I side with John McCain. My belief also stems from my religious upbringing. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a masterful document on the origin of man by the First Presidency of the Church, which at the time was Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund appears to bear out the concept that the eternal spirit enters the body prior to a normal birth. It states: "The body of man enters upon its career as a tiny germ or embryo, which becomes an infant quickened at a certain stage by the spirit whose tabernacle it is, and the child, after being born, develops into a man." (Man: His Origin and Destiny, p. 354.) Abortion after conception is considered murder in mine eyes and the decision of Roe v. Wade should be overturned.
Think about Bible times there have been two major event when Satan has gone after the children. The time of Moses when Pharaoh when he commanded all the children to be killed because of the prophecy that a deliverer would be born to save the children of Israel. The second time at the time when Christ was born of Mary. Herod also commanded that all the children be killed due to a similar prophecy. Now in our time, the dispensation of the fullness of times, Satan is going after the children through abortion and millions and millions of unborn, full of life children are being slain. Worldwide there are approximately 42 million abortions per year, that's 115,000 per day. Just in the United States there are approximately 1.37 million abortions per year (source). Tens of millions of murders each year. What are your thoughts?
Roe v. Wade is a controversial United States Supreme Court case that resulted in a landmark decision regarding abortion. The decision overturned all state and federal laws outlawing or restricting abortion that were inconsistent with its holdings. The central holding of Roe v. Wade was that abortions are permissible for any reason a woman chooses, up until the "point at which the fetus becomes 'viable,' that is, potentially able to live outside the mother's womb, albeit with artificial aid. Viability is usually placed at about seven months (28 weeks) but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks." Now let's see what he candidate believes about abortion (source).
Barack Obama: On his website I quote, "Barack Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women’s rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case."
John McCain: On his website I quote, "John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench. Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, returning the abortion question to the individual states. The difficult issue of abortion should not be decided by judicial fiat."
Here's a YouTube video clip of Obama and McCain on abortion 8/16/2008 at Saddleback Church moderated by Pastor Rick Warren.
As a first time new father, the thought of having an abortion done when my wife was 7 months along absolutely sickens me. It sickens my wife. Our baby was full of life and had been since conception. I truly believe that and as such I side with John McCain. My belief also stems from my religious upbringing. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a masterful document on the origin of man by the First Presidency of the Church, which at the time was Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund appears to bear out the concept that the eternal spirit enters the body prior to a normal birth. It states: "The body of man enters upon its career as a tiny germ or embryo, which becomes an infant quickened at a certain stage by the spirit whose tabernacle it is, and the child, after being born, develops into a man." (Man: His Origin and Destiny, p. 354.) Abortion after conception is considered murder in mine eyes and the decision of Roe v. Wade should be overturned.
Think about Bible times there have been two major event when Satan has gone after the children. The time of Moses when Pharaoh when he commanded all the children to be killed because of the prophecy that a deliverer would be born to save the children of Israel. The second time at the time when Christ was born of Mary. Herod also commanded that all the children be killed due to a similar prophecy. Now in our time, the dispensation of the fullness of times, Satan is going after the children through abortion and millions and millions of unborn, full of life children are being slain. Worldwide there are approximately 42 million abortions per year, that's 115,000 per day. Just in the United States there are approximately 1.37 million abortions per year (source). Tens of millions of murders each year. What are your thoughts?
Are You Serious?
I'm an avid listener to the Sean Hannity radio show and today they've been discussing life on the campaign trail and impact it has on their families. Since Governor Sarah Palin was announced to be John McCain's running mate for Vice President she has been onslaught with all kinds of smearing and attacks. I will discuss a lot of these later and talk about the facts/truth vs. what's being said. Anyway, a caller on the Sean Hannity show is bashing Governor Palin because she has a 17 year old unmarried daughter who's pregnant. Sean Hannity's response, "So what's the difference between Governor Palin and the mother of Barack Obama when she was 17 years old, unmarried, and pregnant with Barack?" This caller has the audacity to say, "she [Barack's mother] wasn't a conservative." Are you serious? Are conservative republicans automatically perfect and never make mistakes? Just thought it was very interesting and couldn't believe that this caller actually said this! What are your comments?
9/08/2008
Sean Hannity's Top Ten Items for Victory
This is what Sean Hannity believes that the next President of the United States should uphold or rather the nominee that pledges to do these things will become our next President.
- TO BE THE CANDIDATE OF NATIONAL SECURITY - (a) Victory in Iraq (b) Fully support NSA, Patriot Act, tough interrogations, keeping Gitmo open (c) A candidate that pledges to NOT demean our military while they are fighting their country. eg Harry Reid: "the surge has failed," "the war is lost." (d) Candidate that promises to ensure that our Veterans can live out their lives in dignity.
- THE CANDIDATE WHO PLEDGES TO OPPOSE APPEASEMENT - (a) The candidate will oppose any and all efforts to negotiate with dictators of the world in places like Iran, Syria, N. Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela, without "pre-conditions."
- THE CANDIDATE PLEDGES TO SUPPORT TAX CUTS AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY - (a) The American people are not under taxed, Government spends too much (b) The candidate who pledges to eliminate and vote against all earmarks (c) The candidate pledges to balance the budget.
- THE CANDIDATE PLEDGES TO BE A SUPPORTER OF ENERGY INDEPENDENCE - (a) Supports immediate drilling in Anwar and the 48 states (b) Building new refineries (c) Begin building and using nuclear facilities (d) Expand coal mining (e) Realistic steward of the environment while simultaneously working with private industry to develop the new energy technologies for the future, with the goal being that America becomes completely energy independent within the next 15 years .
- THE CANDIDATE PLEDGES TO SECURE OUR BORDERS COMPLETELY WITHIN 12 MONTHS - (a) Build all necessary fences (b) Use all available technology to help and support agents at the border (c) Train and hire agents as needed.
- HEALTH CARE - (a) The Candidate will look for Free-Market solutions to the problems facing the Health Care industry, and will vigorously oppose any efforts to "nationalize health care" (b) The Candidate will fight for individual health savings accounts, that includes "catastrophic insurance" for every American, so people can control their own health care choices.
- EDUCATION - (a) The Candidate pledges to "save" American children from the falling education system (b) The Candidate will fight to break the unholy alliance of the Democratic party and teachers unions, which at best has institutionalized mediocrity, and has failed children across the country (c) Fight for "choice" in education and let parents decide (d) Fight for vouchers for parents.
- SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE - (a) The Candidate will "save" social security and medicare from bankruptcy (b) Options will include "private retirement" funds so people can "control" their own destiny.
- JUDGES - (a) The Candidate vows to support only judges who recognize that their job is to interpret the Constitution, and not legislate from the bench.
- AMERICAN DREAM - The Candidate accepts as their duty and responsibility to educate, inform, and remind people that with the blessings of Freedom comes a great responsibility. That government's primary goal is to preserve, protect, and defend our God given gift of freedom. That government's do not have the ability to solve all of our problems, and to take away all of our fears and concerns. We need their pledge that we will be the candidate that promotes individual liberty, capitalism, a strong national defense and will support policies that encourage such. It is our fundamental belief that limited government and greater individual responsibility will insure the continued prosperity and success for future generations. We the people believe in the words of Ronald Reagan, that we are "the best last hope for man on this earth," "a shining city on a hill," and that our best days are before us if our government will simply trust the American people.
John McCain: War In Iraq
From his website on the issues about the war in Iraq "John McCain believes it is strategically and morally essential for the United States to support the Government of Iraq to become capable of governing itself and safeguarding its people. He strongly disagrees with those who advocate withdrawing American troops before that has occurred."
"It would be a grave mistake to leave before Al Qaeda in Iraq is defeated and before a competent, trained, and capable Iraqi security force is in place and operating effectively. We must help the Government of Iraq battle those who provoke sectarian tensions and promote a civil war that could destabilize the Middle East. Iraq must not become a failed state, a haven for terrorists, or a pawn of Iran. These likely consequences of America's failure in Iraq almost certainly would either require us to return or draw us into a wider and far costlier war."
"The best way to secure long-term peace and security is to establish a stable, prosperous, and democratic state in Iraq that poses no threat to its neighbors and contributes to the defeat of terrorists. When Iraqi forces can safeguard their own country, American troops can return home."
John McCain said himself, "I do not want to keep our troops in Iraq a minute longer than necessary to secure our interests there. Our goal is an Iraq that can stand on its own as a democratic ally and a responsible force for peace in its neighborhood. Our goal is an Iraq that no longer needs American troops. And I believe we can achieve that goal, perhaps sooner than many imagine. But I do not believe that anyone should make promises as a candidate for President that they cannot keep if elected. To promise a withdrawal of our forces from Iraq, regardless of the calamitous consequences to the Iraqi people, our most vital interests, and the future of the Middle East, is the height of irresponsibility. It is a failure of leadership."
"I know the pain war causes. I understand the frustration caused by our mistakes in this war. And I regret sincerely the additional sacrifices imposed on the brave Americans who defend us. But I also know the toll a lost war takes on an army and on our country's security. By giving General Petraeus and the men and women he has the honor to command the time and support necessary to succeed in Iraq we have before us a hard road. But it is the right road. It is necessary and just. Those who disregard the unmistakable progress we have made in the last year and the terrible consequences that would ensue were we to abandon our responsibilities in Iraq have chosen another road. It may appear to be the easier course of action, but it is a much more reckless one, and it does them no credit even if it gives them an advantage in the next election.”
"It would be a grave mistake to leave before Al Qaeda in Iraq is defeated and before a competent, trained, and capable Iraqi security force is in place and operating effectively. We must help the Government of Iraq battle those who provoke sectarian tensions and promote a civil war that could destabilize the Middle East. Iraq must not become a failed state, a haven for terrorists, or a pawn of Iran. These likely consequences of America's failure in Iraq almost certainly would either require us to return or draw us into a wider and far costlier war."
"The best way to secure long-term peace and security is to establish a stable, prosperous, and democratic state in Iraq that poses no threat to its neighbors and contributes to the defeat of terrorists. When Iraqi forces can safeguard their own country, American troops can return home."
John McCain said himself, "I do not want to keep our troops in Iraq a minute longer than necessary to secure our interests there. Our goal is an Iraq that can stand on its own as a democratic ally and a responsible force for peace in its neighborhood. Our goal is an Iraq that no longer needs American troops. And I believe we can achieve that goal, perhaps sooner than many imagine. But I do not believe that anyone should make promises as a candidate for President that they cannot keep if elected. To promise a withdrawal of our forces from Iraq, regardless of the calamitous consequences to the Iraqi people, our most vital interests, and the future of the Middle East, is the height of irresponsibility. It is a failure of leadership."
"I know the pain war causes. I understand the frustration caused by our mistakes in this war. And I regret sincerely the additional sacrifices imposed on the brave Americans who defend us. But I also know the toll a lost war takes on an army and on our country's security. By giving General Petraeus and the men and women he has the honor to command the time and support necessary to succeed in Iraq we have before us a hard road. But it is the right road. It is necessary and just. Those who disregard the unmistakable progress we have made in the last year and the terrible consequences that would ensue were we to abandon our responsibilities in Iraq have chosen another road. It may appear to be the easier course of action, but it is a much more reckless one, and it does them no credit even if it gives them an advantage in the next election.”
Barack Obama: War In Iraq
If you didn't know, the Fox News channel is pro-republican/right wing news media. CNN is pro-democratic/left wing news media. This first video clip is from various speeches given by Barack Obama about his opposition about the War in Iraq before it even started.
This video is part 1 of Barack Obama's first time exclusive interview on the O'Reilly Factor. Obama agrees now that the surge on Iraq has been successful, but will not admit that he was wrong.
From the July 7, 2008 The New Yorker "Obama's Iraq Problem" George Packer reports: "In February, 2007, when Barack Obama declared that he was running for President, violence in Iraq had reached apocalyptic levels, and he based his candidacy, in part, on a bold promise to begin a rapid withdrawal of American forces upon taking office. At the time, this pledge represented conventional thinking among Democrats and was guaranteed to play well with primary voters. But in the year and a half since then two improbable, though not unforeseeable, events have occurred: Obama has won the Democratic nomination, and Iraq, despite myriad crises, has begun to stabilize. With the general election four months away, Obama’s rhetoric on the topic now seems outdated and out of touch, and the nominee-apparent may have a political problem concerning the very issue that did so much to bring him this far." (Click here for source.)
From a March 19, 2008 speech in Fayetteville, North Caroline Barack Obama had this to say about the War in Iraq: “Here is the truth: fighting a war without end will not force the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future. And fighting in a war without end will not make the American people safer. So when I am Commander-in-Chief, I will set a new goal on day one: I will end this war. Not because politics compels it. Not because our troops cannot bear the burden- as heavy as it is. But because it is the right thing to do for our national security, and it will ultimately make us safer.” (Click here for source.)
I think America has forgotten how they felt on September 11, 2001 when our nation stood still when our own airplanes were turned into weapons that destroyed the World Trade Center twin towers in New York City and attempted attack on our nation's capitol. This single event was what led President Bush's call to Congress for an official declaration of war on terrorism. When addressing the nation that America was in the beginning phases of the war in Iraq he said, "I want Americans and all the world to know...a campaign on the harsh terrain on a nation as large as California can be longer and more difficult than some predict. And helping Iraqis achieve a united and stable and free country will require our sustained commitment." What would happen if another major attack happened tomorrow on our country? Is that what it will take for us to remember that this is what we wanted and cheered for when President Bush made the decision. Have you forgotten?
This video is part 1 of Barack Obama's first time exclusive interview on the O'Reilly Factor. Obama agrees now that the surge on Iraq has been successful, but will not admit that he was wrong.
From the July 7, 2008 The New Yorker "Obama's Iraq Problem" George Packer reports: "In February, 2007, when Barack Obama declared that he was running for President, violence in Iraq had reached apocalyptic levels, and he based his candidacy, in part, on a bold promise to begin a rapid withdrawal of American forces upon taking office. At the time, this pledge represented conventional thinking among Democrats and was guaranteed to play well with primary voters. But in the year and a half since then two improbable, though not unforeseeable, events have occurred: Obama has won the Democratic nomination, and Iraq, despite myriad crises, has begun to stabilize. With the general election four months away, Obama’s rhetoric on the topic now seems outdated and out of touch, and the nominee-apparent may have a political problem concerning the very issue that did so much to bring him this far." (Click here for source.)
From a March 19, 2008 speech in Fayetteville, North Caroline Barack Obama had this to say about the War in Iraq: “Here is the truth: fighting a war without end will not force the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future. And fighting in a war without end will not make the American people safer. So when I am Commander-in-Chief, I will set a new goal on day one: I will end this war. Not because politics compels it. Not because our troops cannot bear the burden- as heavy as it is. But because it is the right thing to do for our national security, and it will ultimately make us safer.” (Click here for source.)
I think America has forgotten how they felt on September 11, 2001 when our nation stood still when our own airplanes were turned into weapons that destroyed the World Trade Center twin towers in New York City and attempted attack on our nation's capitol. This single event was what led President Bush's call to Congress for an official declaration of war on terrorism. When addressing the nation that America was in the beginning phases of the war in Iraq he said, "I want Americans and all the world to know...a campaign on the harsh terrain on a nation as large as California can be longer and more difficult than some predict. And helping Iraqis achieve a united and stable and free country will require our sustained commitment." What would happen if another major attack happened tomorrow on our country? Is that what it will take for us to remember that this is what we wanted and cheered for when President Bush made the decision. Have you forgotten?
9/07/2008
John McCain's Platform: Country First - Reform, Prosperity, & Peace
From McCain's website I quote: "Early on in his life as a midshipman at the Naval Academy, the most important lesson John McCain learned was that to sustain his self-respect for a lifetime it would be necessary for him to have the honor of serving something greater than his self-interest -- service to his country. John McCain has always put his country's interests before any party, special interest and even his own self-interest. He has always and will always do what is right for our country."
On his website you may read more detailed information about McCain's plan for America if elected the next President. The following is a brief summary of that plan:
THE ECONOMY: John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan that will create millions of good American jobs, ensure our nation's energy security, get the government's budget and spending practices in order, and bring relief to American consumers. Read each of the sections on his website to learn how the McCain Economic Plan will help bring reform, prosperity and peace to America.
ENERGY: Our nation's future security and prosperity depends on the next President making the hard choices that will break our nation's strategic dependence on foreign sources of energy and will ensure our economic prosperity by meeting tomorrow's demands for a clean portfolio. John McCain has made the necessary choices - producing more power, pushing technology to help free our transportation sector from its use of foreign oil, cleaning up our air and addressing climate change, and ensuring that Americans have dependable energy sources. John McCain will lead the effort to develop advanced transportation technologies and alternative fuels to promote energy independence and cut off the flow of oil wealth to repressive dictatorships like Iran.
NATIONAL SECURITY: In a dangerous world, protecting America's national security requires a strong military. Today, America has the most capable, best-trained and best-led military force in the world. But much needs to be done to maintain our military leadership, retain our technological advantage, and ensure that America has a modern, agile military force able to meet the diverse security challenges of the 21st century. John McCain is committed to ensuring that the men and women of our military remain the best, most capable fighting force on Earth - and that our nation honors its promises to them for their service.
HEALTH CARE: John McCain believes the key to health care reform is to restore control to the patients themselves. We want a system of health care in which everyone can afford and acquire the treatment and preventative care they need. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make. Families should be in charge of their health care dollars and have more control over care. John McCain believes we can and must provide access to health care for every American. He has proposed a comprehensive vision for achieving that. For too long, our nation's leaders have talked about reforming health care. Now is the time to act.
WAR IN IRAQ: John McCain believes it is strategically and morally essential for the United States to support the Government of Iraq to become capable of governing itself and safeguarding its people. He strongly disagrees with those who advocate withdrawing American troops before that has occurred. The best way to secure long-term peace and security is to establish a stable, prosperous, and democratic state in Iraq that poses no threat to its neighbors and contributes to the defeat of terrorists. When Iraqi forces can safeguard their own country, American troops can return home.
CLIMATE CHANGE: John McCain will establish a market-based system to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mobilize innovative technologies, and strengthen the economy. He will work with our international partners to secure our energy future, to create opportunities for American industry, and to leave a better future for our children.
VETERANS: America owes its liberty, its prosperity, and its future to our veterans who have dedicated their lives to protecting our great country. John McCain has fought to honor our national commitment to our veterans who have given their careers and livelihoods to ensuring our freedom. He believes we must provide for service members and their families while they serve, we must help those who return from combat to adjust to civilian life, and we must honor and never forget the service of those who do not return.
IMMIGRATION: Securing our borders first. John McCain's top immigration priority is to finish securing our borders in an expedited manner. Governors of border states will be required to certify that the border is secure. "When we have achieved our border security goal, we must enact and implement the other parts of practical, fair and necessary immigration policy. We have economic and humanitarian responsibilities as well, and they require no less dedication from us in meeting them." - John McCain
EDUCATION: John McCain believes American education must be worthy of the promise we make to our children and ourselves. He understands that we are a nation committed to equal opportunity, and there is no equal opportunity without equal access to excellent education. As president, John McCain will pursue reforms that address the underlying cultural problems in our education system - a system that still seeks to avoid genuine accountability and responsibility for producing well-educated children. John McCain will place parents and children at the center of the education process, empowering parents by greatly expanding the ability of parents to choose among schools for their children. He believes all federal financial support must be predicated on providing parents the ability to move their children, and the dollars associated with them, from failing schools.
SECOND AMENDMENT: John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime. Law abiding citizens should not be asked to give up their rights because of criminals - criminals who ignore gun control laws anyway.
STRICT JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY: John McCain believes that one of the greatest threats to our liberty and the Constitutional framework that safeguards our freedoms are willful judges who usurp the role of the people and their representatives and legislate from the bench. As President, John McCain will nominate judges who understand that their role is to faithfully apply the law as written, not impose their opinions through judicial fiat.
TECHNOLOGY: John McCain has a broad and cohesive vision for the future of American innovation. His policies will provide broad pools of capital, low taxes and incentives for research in America, a commitment to a skilled and educated workforce, and a dedication to opening markets around the globe. He’s committed to streamlining burdensome regulations and effectively protecting American intellectual property in the United States and around the globe. To maintain American leadership in the world, John McCain believes we must nurture the conditions under which entrepreneurs can prosper and the American people can reap the rewards.
FIGHTING CRIME: John McCain's plan for keeping communities across America safe from crime begins with supporting state and local law enforcement. John McCain recognizes that the men And women of our law enforcement community serve on the front lines of America's struggle against crime.
NATURAL HERITAGE: John McCain is proud of his longstanding commitment to conserving America's natural resources and promoting environmental stewardship. John McCain knows we face immense environmental challenges that will impact the quality of life we leave our children and future generations. A McCain White House will reflect the guiding principles of Theodore Roosevelt, America's foremost conservation president. John McCain has announced The Lexington Project, a comprehensive energy and climate strategy to provide America with secure sources of energy, ensure our continued prosperity, and address global climate change. This plan includes the elements necessary to achieve these objectives by: producing more power, pushing technology to help free our transportation sector from its use of foreign oil, cleaning up our air, addressing climate change, and ensuring that Americans have dependable energy sources.
AGRICULTURAL POLICIES: America’s agricultural industry is the best in the world. John McCain will expand access for U.S. agricultural producers to foreign markets, providing a great and lasting benefit to American farmers. He will work tirelessly to ensure our farmers receive fair prices for their products. As president, John McCain will engage the agricultural community and international leaders to move forward a trade agenda that expands access to overseas markets and promotes American agricultural exports. As president, John McCain will fight to ensure that U.S. trade policies are in accord with bilateral and WTO trade agreements. At the same time, he will demand the same of our trading partners, and will stand up for producers by holding these partners accountable under existing and future trade agreements.
SANCTITY OF LIFE: John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench. Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, returning the abortion question to the individual states. The difficult issue of abortion should not be decided by judicial fiat. Promoting adoption, protecting marriage, addressing moral concerns of advanced technology, protecting children from Internet pornography, and protecting children from online predators are key to protecting the sanctity of life.
SPACE PROGRAM: John McCain: For the past 50 years, space activities have contributed greatly to US scientific discovery, national security, economic development, and national innovation, pride and power (the ultimate example of which was the U.S. victory over the Soviets in the race to the moon). Spurred on by the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik, the world's first satellite, and the concern that the U.S was falling behind in science and technology, U.S. policymakers enacted several policy actions to firmly establish the U.S. dominance in science and technology. Among them were the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the national Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), increased research funding, and a reformulation of the nation's science and technology education system.
ETHICS REFORM: As he pointed out recently as part of his longstanding, principled, and often lonely vigil against pork barrel earmarks in Congress: "Earmarked dollars have doubled just since 2000, and more than tripled in the last 10 years. This explosion in earmarks led one lobbyist to deride the appropriations committees as favor factories. The time for us to fix this broken process is long overdue." As President, John McCain would shine the disinfecting light of public scrutiny on those who abuse the public purse, use the power of the presidency to restore fiscal responsibility, and exercise the veto pen to enforce it.
Source(s): http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/
On his website you may read more detailed information about McCain's plan for America if elected the next President. The following is a brief summary of that plan:
THE ECONOMY: John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan that will create millions of good American jobs, ensure our nation's energy security, get the government's budget and spending practices in order, and bring relief to American consumers. Read each of the sections on his website to learn how the McCain Economic Plan will help bring reform, prosperity and peace to America.
ENERGY: Our nation's future security and prosperity depends on the next President making the hard choices that will break our nation's strategic dependence on foreign sources of energy and will ensure our economic prosperity by meeting tomorrow's demands for a clean portfolio. John McCain has made the necessary choices - producing more power, pushing technology to help free our transportation sector from its use of foreign oil, cleaning up our air and addressing climate change, and ensuring that Americans have dependable energy sources. John McCain will lead the effort to develop advanced transportation technologies and alternative fuels to promote energy independence and cut off the flow of oil wealth to repressive dictatorships like Iran.
NATIONAL SECURITY: In a dangerous world, protecting America's national security requires a strong military. Today, America has the most capable, best-trained and best-led military force in the world. But much needs to be done to maintain our military leadership, retain our technological advantage, and ensure that America has a modern, agile military force able to meet the diverse security challenges of the 21st century. John McCain is committed to ensuring that the men and women of our military remain the best, most capable fighting force on Earth - and that our nation honors its promises to them for their service.
HEALTH CARE: John McCain believes the key to health care reform is to restore control to the patients themselves. We want a system of health care in which everyone can afford and acquire the treatment and preventative care they need. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make. Families should be in charge of their health care dollars and have more control over care. John McCain believes we can and must provide access to health care for every American. He has proposed a comprehensive vision for achieving that. For too long, our nation's leaders have talked about reforming health care. Now is the time to act.
WAR IN IRAQ: John McCain believes it is strategically and morally essential for the United States to support the Government of Iraq to become capable of governing itself and safeguarding its people. He strongly disagrees with those who advocate withdrawing American troops before that has occurred. The best way to secure long-term peace and security is to establish a stable, prosperous, and democratic state in Iraq that poses no threat to its neighbors and contributes to the defeat of terrorists. When Iraqi forces can safeguard their own country, American troops can return home.
CLIMATE CHANGE: John McCain will establish a market-based system to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mobilize innovative technologies, and strengthen the economy. He will work with our international partners to secure our energy future, to create opportunities for American industry, and to leave a better future for our children.
VETERANS: America owes its liberty, its prosperity, and its future to our veterans who have dedicated their lives to protecting our great country. John McCain has fought to honor our national commitment to our veterans who have given their careers and livelihoods to ensuring our freedom. He believes we must provide for service members and their families while they serve, we must help those who return from combat to adjust to civilian life, and we must honor and never forget the service of those who do not return.
IMMIGRATION: Securing our borders first. John McCain's top immigration priority is to finish securing our borders in an expedited manner. Governors of border states will be required to certify that the border is secure. "When we have achieved our border security goal, we must enact and implement the other parts of practical, fair and necessary immigration policy. We have economic and humanitarian responsibilities as well, and they require no less dedication from us in meeting them." - John McCain
EDUCATION: John McCain believes American education must be worthy of the promise we make to our children and ourselves. He understands that we are a nation committed to equal opportunity, and there is no equal opportunity without equal access to excellent education. As president, John McCain will pursue reforms that address the underlying cultural problems in our education system - a system that still seeks to avoid genuine accountability and responsibility for producing well-educated children. John McCain will place parents and children at the center of the education process, empowering parents by greatly expanding the ability of parents to choose among schools for their children. He believes all federal financial support must be predicated on providing parents the ability to move their children, and the dollars associated with them, from failing schools.
SECOND AMENDMENT: John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime. Law abiding citizens should not be asked to give up their rights because of criminals - criminals who ignore gun control laws anyway.
STRICT JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY: John McCain believes that one of the greatest threats to our liberty and the Constitutional framework that safeguards our freedoms are willful judges who usurp the role of the people and their representatives and legislate from the bench. As President, John McCain will nominate judges who understand that their role is to faithfully apply the law as written, not impose their opinions through judicial fiat.
TECHNOLOGY: John McCain has a broad and cohesive vision for the future of American innovation. His policies will provide broad pools of capital, low taxes and incentives for research in America, a commitment to a skilled and educated workforce, and a dedication to opening markets around the globe. He’s committed to streamlining burdensome regulations and effectively protecting American intellectual property in the United States and around the globe. To maintain American leadership in the world, John McCain believes we must nurture the conditions under which entrepreneurs can prosper and the American people can reap the rewards.
FIGHTING CRIME: John McCain's plan for keeping communities across America safe from crime begins with supporting state and local law enforcement. John McCain recognizes that the men And women of our law enforcement community serve on the front lines of America's struggle against crime.
NATURAL HERITAGE: John McCain is proud of his longstanding commitment to conserving America's natural resources and promoting environmental stewardship. John McCain knows we face immense environmental challenges that will impact the quality of life we leave our children and future generations. A McCain White House will reflect the guiding principles of Theodore Roosevelt, America's foremost conservation president. John McCain has announced The Lexington Project, a comprehensive energy and climate strategy to provide America with secure sources of energy, ensure our continued prosperity, and address global climate change. This plan includes the elements necessary to achieve these objectives by: producing more power, pushing technology to help free our transportation sector from its use of foreign oil, cleaning up our air, addressing climate change, and ensuring that Americans have dependable energy sources.
AGRICULTURAL POLICIES: America’s agricultural industry is the best in the world. John McCain will expand access for U.S. agricultural producers to foreign markets, providing a great and lasting benefit to American farmers. He will work tirelessly to ensure our farmers receive fair prices for their products. As president, John McCain will engage the agricultural community and international leaders to move forward a trade agenda that expands access to overseas markets and promotes American agricultural exports. As president, John McCain will fight to ensure that U.S. trade policies are in accord with bilateral and WTO trade agreements. At the same time, he will demand the same of our trading partners, and will stand up for producers by holding these partners accountable under existing and future trade agreements.
SANCTITY OF LIFE: John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench. Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, returning the abortion question to the individual states. The difficult issue of abortion should not be decided by judicial fiat. Promoting adoption, protecting marriage, addressing moral concerns of advanced technology, protecting children from Internet pornography, and protecting children from online predators are key to protecting the sanctity of life.
SPACE PROGRAM: John McCain: For the past 50 years, space activities have contributed greatly to US scientific discovery, national security, economic development, and national innovation, pride and power (the ultimate example of which was the U.S. victory over the Soviets in the race to the moon). Spurred on by the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik, the world's first satellite, and the concern that the U.S was falling behind in science and technology, U.S. policymakers enacted several policy actions to firmly establish the U.S. dominance in science and technology. Among them were the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the national Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), increased research funding, and a reformulation of the nation's science and technology education system.
ETHICS REFORM: As he pointed out recently as part of his longstanding, principled, and often lonely vigil against pork barrel earmarks in Congress: "Earmarked dollars have doubled just since 2000, and more than tripled in the last 10 years. This explosion in earmarks led one lobbyist to deride the appropriations committees as favor factories. The time for us to fix this broken process is long overdue." As President, John McCain would shine the disinfecting light of public scrutiny on those who abuse the public purse, use the power of the presidency to restore fiscal responsibility, and exercise the veto pen to enforce it.
Source(s): http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/
Barak Obama's Platform: Blueprint for Change
I quote from Obama's website: "Senator Obama has been able to develop innovative approaches to challenge the status quo and get results. Americans are tired of divisive ideological politics, which is why Senator Obama has reached out to Republicans to find areas of common ground. He has tried to break partisan logjams and take on seemingly intractable problems. During his tenure in Washington and in the Illinois State Senate, Barack Obama has accumulated a record of bipartisan success."
On his website you may also download the complete "Blueprint for Change" which is Obama's plan for America if elected the next President. The following is a brief summary of that plan:
HEALTHY AMERICA: Obama will sign a universal health care plan into law by the end of his first term in office. His plan will provide for affordable, quality of health care coverage for every American. Obama's plan will bring down the cost of health care and reduce a typical family's premiums by as much as $2,500 per year.
STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMY: Obama will cut income taxes by $1,000 for working families to offset the payroll tax they pay. Obama believes that trade with foreign nations should strengthen the American economy and create more American jobs. He will stand firm against agreements that undermine our economic security. Obama will encourage the deployment of the most modern communications infrastructure to reduce the costs of health care, help solve our energy crisis, create new jobs, and fuel our economic growth. Obama will strengthen the ability of workers to organize unions. He will fight for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. Obama will ensure that his labor appointees support workers’ rights and will work to ban the permanent replacement of striking workers. Obama will also increase the minimum wage and index it to inflation to ensure it rises every year. Obama will crack down on fraudulent brokers and lenders. He will also make sure homebuyers have honest and complete information about their mortgage options, and he will give a tax credit to all middle-class homeowners. Obama will reform our bankruptcy laws to protect working people, ban executive bonuses for bankrupt companies, and require disclosure of all pension investments. Obama will establish a five-star rating system so that every consumer knows the risk involved in every credit card. He also will establish a Credit Card Bill of Rights to stop credit card companies from exploiting consumers with unfair practices. Obama will double funding for after-school programs, expand the Family Medical Leave Act, provide lowincome families with a refundable tax credit to help with their child-care expenses, and encourage flexible work schedules.
STRENGTHEN RETIREMENT SECURITY: As someone who was largely raised by his grandparents, Obama has first-hand knowledge of how hard America’s seniors have worked to defend our country, teach our children and grow our economy. He will honor their lifetime of work. Obama will preserve Social Security by stopping any efforts to privatize it and working in a bipartisan way to preserve it for future generations. Obama will fight to ensure that companies don’t dump their pension obligations. Obama will make retirement savings automatic.
EDUCATION FOR EVERY CHILD: Obama will launch a Children’s First Agenda that provides care, learning and support to families with children from birth up to five years old. Obama believes that the goal of No Child Left Behind was the right one, but that it was written and implemented poorly and it has demoralized our educators and broken its promise to our children. Obama will fund No Child Left Behind and improve its assessments and accountability systems. Obama will improve our schools by recruiting well-qualified teachers to every classroom in America. Obama will improve teacher compensation by rewarding expert, accomplished teachers for taking on challenging assignments and helping teachers succeed. Obama also will reduce the high school dropout rate and close the achievement gap by investing in proven intervention strategies in the middle grades and in summer learning and afterschool opportunities. Obama will create a new American Opportunity Tax Credit that will make tuition at the nation’s community colleges completely free and will cover up to two-thirds the cost of tuition at the nation’s public colleges and universities. This $4,000 tax credit will be fully refundable and available at the time of enrollment in college – when families need the money.
CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE: Obama will implement a cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the level recommended by top scientists. Obama will invest $150 billion over ten years to deploy clean technologies, protect our existing manufacturing base and create millions of new jobs. Obama will reduce oil consumption overall by at least 35 percent, or 10 million barrels of oil, by 2030.
RESTORING FISCAL DISCIPLINE: Obama will reinstate pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget rules, so that new spending or tax cuts are paid for by spending cuts or new revenue elsewhere. Obama will cut skyrocketing pork barrel spending projects by forcing more transparency about who is requesting projects and what the projects would accomplish before Congress votes to approve them. Obama will build on his bipartisan work to penalize companies that abuse the tax code and stop the use of
tax havens. Obama is committed to repealing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
SUPPORT RURAL COMMUNITIES: Obama will ensure our farm programs help family farmers, not giant corporations. He will fight to enable family farmers to have fair access to markets, control over their production decisions, and fair prices for their goods. Obama will help farmers continue their leadership in the renewable fuel economy and harvest more of our energy from Americans farms. Obama will invest in rural small businesses and fight to expand high-speed internet access. He will improve rural schools and attract more doctors to rural areas. Barack Obama will work for tougher regulations on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to prevent air and water pollution.
RECLAIM THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES: Barack Obama will better enforce the Equal Pay Act, fight job discrimination, and improve child care options and family medical leave to give women equal footing in the workplace. Obama has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving a women’s right to choose under Roe v. Wade a priority as president. Obama also supports expanded access to contraception, health information and preventive services to reduce unintended pregnancies. Obama will tackle diseases and illnesses that disproportionately affect women. Obama introduced legislation to combat domestic violence and cosponsored and helped reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
IMMIGRATION REFORM: Barack Obama has fought for comprehensive immigration reform that secures our border, fixes our broken immigration bureaucracy and puts the 12 million undocumented immigrants on a responsible path to citizenship. If Congress does not act in the interim, Obama will revive immigration reform in the first year of his presidency.
COMBATING POVERTY: Obama will help low-income Americans enter the workplace and move up the career ladder. Obama will increase benefits and expand the number of individuals eligible for EITC, one of the most successful antipoverty programs in history. Obama will create Promise Neighborhoods to provide comprehensive services in impoverished areas in 20 American cities. Obama will help local entrepreneurs revitalize inner cities. Obama will increase the supply of affordable housing across the U.S.
UNIVERSAL VOLUNTARY PUBLIC SERVICE: Obama will expand AmeriCorps to 250,000 slots and double the Peace Corps and dedicate these positions to addressing America’s common challenges. He also will provide new service opportunities for working Americans and retirees. Obama will integrate service-learning into our schools to enable students to graduate college with as many as 17 weeks of service experience. By leveraging federal dollars, Obama will foster the use of best practices of the private sector to nurture innovation in the nonprofit sector.
STRENGTHEN CIVIL RIGHTS: Obama will staff the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department with lawyers who prosecute civil rights violations, employment discrimination, and hate crimes instead of political cronies. Obama will remove discriminatory barriers to the right to vote. Obama will work to ban racial profiling and eliminate disparities in criminal sentencing.
SECURE AMERICA AND RESTORE OUR STANDINGl Obama is the only major candidate who had the judgment to oppose the Iraq War from the beginning. He will end the war responsibly by bringing our troops home within 16 months, pressing for a political solution to Iraq’s civil war, and launching the diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives that are needed to bring stability to Iraq. Obama will fight terrorism and protect America with a comprehensive strategy that finishes the fight in Afghanistan, cracks down on the al Qaeda safe-haven in Pakistan, develops new capabilities and international partnerships, engages the world to dry up support for extremism, and reaffirms American values. Obama has stood up against going to war with Iran, and called for a new approach. He will lead tough diplomacy with the Iranian regime, and offer Iran the choice of increased international pressure or incentives if it stops its disturbing behavior. Obama will turn the page on the Bush-Cheney diplomacy of not talking to countries that we don’t like. He will talk to our foes as well as our friends, and he will restore American leadership and alliances abroad. Obama has a bold agenda to reduce the threat of nuclear proliferation. He will secure loose nuclear materials from terrorists, and lead the world toward the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons. Obama will give the finest military in the world the support it needs to face the threats of the 21st century. He will expand our ground forces, develop new capabilities, and restore the trust between the commander in chief and those who serve.
KEEP OUR SACRED TRUST WITH VETERANS: Barack Obama believes America has a sacred trust with our veterans. He is committed to creating a 21st Century Department of Veterans’ Affairs that provides the care and benefits our nation’s veterans deserve. Obama will improve the quality of health care for veterans, rebuild the VA’s broken benefits system, and combat homelessness among veterans. Obama will improve mental health treatment for troops and veterans suffering from combat-related psychological injuries.
Source(s): http://www.barakobama.com/issues/, "The Blueprint for Change: Barak Obama's Plan for America"
On his website you may also download the complete "Blueprint for Change" which is Obama's plan for America if elected the next President. The following is a brief summary of that plan:
HEALTHY AMERICA: Obama will sign a universal health care plan into law by the end of his first term in office. His plan will provide for affordable, quality of health care coverage for every American. Obama's plan will bring down the cost of health care and reduce a typical family's premiums by as much as $2,500 per year.
STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMY: Obama will cut income taxes by $1,000 for working families to offset the payroll tax they pay. Obama believes that trade with foreign nations should strengthen the American economy and create more American jobs. He will stand firm against agreements that undermine our economic security. Obama will encourage the deployment of the most modern communications infrastructure to reduce the costs of health care, help solve our energy crisis, create new jobs, and fuel our economic growth. Obama will strengthen the ability of workers to organize unions. He will fight for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. Obama will ensure that his labor appointees support workers’ rights and will work to ban the permanent replacement of striking workers. Obama will also increase the minimum wage and index it to inflation to ensure it rises every year. Obama will crack down on fraudulent brokers and lenders. He will also make sure homebuyers have honest and complete information about their mortgage options, and he will give a tax credit to all middle-class homeowners. Obama will reform our bankruptcy laws to protect working people, ban executive bonuses for bankrupt companies, and require disclosure of all pension investments. Obama will establish a five-star rating system so that every consumer knows the risk involved in every credit card. He also will establish a Credit Card Bill of Rights to stop credit card companies from exploiting consumers with unfair practices. Obama will double funding for after-school programs, expand the Family Medical Leave Act, provide lowincome families with a refundable tax credit to help with their child-care expenses, and encourage flexible work schedules.
STRENGTHEN RETIREMENT SECURITY: As someone who was largely raised by his grandparents, Obama has first-hand knowledge of how hard America’s seniors have worked to defend our country, teach our children and grow our economy. He will honor their lifetime of work. Obama will preserve Social Security by stopping any efforts to privatize it and working in a bipartisan way to preserve it for future generations. Obama will fight to ensure that companies don’t dump their pension obligations. Obama will make retirement savings automatic.
EDUCATION FOR EVERY CHILD: Obama will launch a Children’s First Agenda that provides care, learning and support to families with children from birth up to five years old. Obama believes that the goal of No Child Left Behind was the right one, but that it was written and implemented poorly and it has demoralized our educators and broken its promise to our children. Obama will fund No Child Left Behind and improve its assessments and accountability systems. Obama will improve our schools by recruiting well-qualified teachers to every classroom in America. Obama will improve teacher compensation by rewarding expert, accomplished teachers for taking on challenging assignments and helping teachers succeed. Obama also will reduce the high school dropout rate and close the achievement gap by investing in proven intervention strategies in the middle grades and in summer learning and afterschool opportunities. Obama will create a new American Opportunity Tax Credit that will make tuition at the nation’s community colleges completely free and will cover up to two-thirds the cost of tuition at the nation’s public colleges and universities. This $4,000 tax credit will be fully refundable and available at the time of enrollment in college – when families need the money.
CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE: Obama will implement a cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the level recommended by top scientists. Obama will invest $150 billion over ten years to deploy clean technologies, protect our existing manufacturing base and create millions of new jobs. Obama will reduce oil consumption overall by at least 35 percent, or 10 million barrels of oil, by 2030.
RESTORING FISCAL DISCIPLINE: Obama will reinstate pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget rules, so that new spending or tax cuts are paid for by spending cuts or new revenue elsewhere. Obama will cut skyrocketing pork barrel spending projects by forcing more transparency about who is requesting projects and what the projects would accomplish before Congress votes to approve them. Obama will build on his bipartisan work to penalize companies that abuse the tax code and stop the use of
tax havens. Obama is committed to repealing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
SUPPORT RURAL COMMUNITIES: Obama will ensure our farm programs help family farmers, not giant corporations. He will fight to enable family farmers to have fair access to markets, control over their production decisions, and fair prices for their goods. Obama will help farmers continue their leadership in the renewable fuel economy and harvest more of our energy from Americans farms. Obama will invest in rural small businesses and fight to expand high-speed internet access. He will improve rural schools and attract more doctors to rural areas. Barack Obama will work for tougher regulations on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to prevent air and water pollution.
RECLAIM THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES: Barack Obama will better enforce the Equal Pay Act, fight job discrimination, and improve child care options and family medical leave to give women equal footing in the workplace. Obama has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving a women’s right to choose under Roe v. Wade a priority as president. Obama also supports expanded access to contraception, health information and preventive services to reduce unintended pregnancies. Obama will tackle diseases and illnesses that disproportionately affect women. Obama introduced legislation to combat domestic violence and cosponsored and helped reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
IMMIGRATION REFORM: Barack Obama has fought for comprehensive immigration reform that secures our border, fixes our broken immigration bureaucracy and puts the 12 million undocumented immigrants on a responsible path to citizenship. If Congress does not act in the interim, Obama will revive immigration reform in the first year of his presidency.
COMBATING POVERTY: Obama will help low-income Americans enter the workplace and move up the career ladder. Obama will increase benefits and expand the number of individuals eligible for EITC, one of the most successful antipoverty programs in history. Obama will create Promise Neighborhoods to provide comprehensive services in impoverished areas in 20 American cities. Obama will help local entrepreneurs revitalize inner cities. Obama will increase the supply of affordable housing across the U.S.
UNIVERSAL VOLUNTARY PUBLIC SERVICE: Obama will expand AmeriCorps to 250,000 slots and double the Peace Corps and dedicate these positions to addressing America’s common challenges. He also will provide new service opportunities for working Americans and retirees. Obama will integrate service-learning into our schools to enable students to graduate college with as many as 17 weeks of service experience. By leveraging federal dollars, Obama will foster the use of best practices of the private sector to nurture innovation in the nonprofit sector.
STRENGTHEN CIVIL RIGHTS: Obama will staff the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department with lawyers who prosecute civil rights violations, employment discrimination, and hate crimes instead of political cronies. Obama will remove discriminatory barriers to the right to vote. Obama will work to ban racial profiling and eliminate disparities in criminal sentencing.
SECURE AMERICA AND RESTORE OUR STANDINGl Obama is the only major candidate who had the judgment to oppose the Iraq War from the beginning. He will end the war responsibly by bringing our troops home within 16 months, pressing for a political solution to Iraq’s civil war, and launching the diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives that are needed to bring stability to Iraq. Obama will fight terrorism and protect America with a comprehensive strategy that finishes the fight in Afghanistan, cracks down on the al Qaeda safe-haven in Pakistan, develops new capabilities and international partnerships, engages the world to dry up support for extremism, and reaffirms American values. Obama has stood up against going to war with Iran, and called for a new approach. He will lead tough diplomacy with the Iranian regime, and offer Iran the choice of increased international pressure or incentives if it stops its disturbing behavior. Obama will turn the page on the Bush-Cheney diplomacy of not talking to countries that we don’t like. He will talk to our foes as well as our friends, and he will restore American leadership and alliances abroad. Obama has a bold agenda to reduce the threat of nuclear proliferation. He will secure loose nuclear materials from terrorists, and lead the world toward the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons. Obama will give the finest military in the world the support it needs to face the threats of the 21st century. He will expand our ground forces, develop new capabilities, and restore the trust between the commander in chief and those who serve.
KEEP OUR SACRED TRUST WITH VETERANS: Barack Obama believes America has a sacred trust with our veterans. He is committed to creating a 21st Century Department of Veterans’ Affairs that provides the care and benefits our nation’s veterans deserve. Obama will improve the quality of health care for veterans, rebuild the VA’s broken benefits system, and combat homelessness among veterans. Obama will improve mental health treatment for troops and veterans suffering from combat-related psychological injuries.
Source(s): http://www.barakobama.com/issues/, "The Blueprint for Change: Barak Obama's Plan for America"
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