Issues

Housing • Health Care • Environment • Iraq

HOUSING

All Americans should have the opportunity to live in safe, decent and appropriate housing, affordable on their family income.  The desire to participate in the American Dream may have led over 7 million families to accept risky mortgages and make imprudent decisions which are now forcing them out of their homes.  The $103 billion economic toll of the housing crisis is now a drag on the national economy, raising unemployment, destroying neighborhoods and decreasing local revenues.

I will propose a National Housing Policy that includes a national housing trust fund; provide planning grants, “green-building” programs and efficient land-use incentives. The goal is to expand home ownership, promote the production of an adequate supply of decent rental housing and reduce sprawl development which contributes to global warming.  Providing decent, sustainable housing revitalizes neighborhoods and cities while promoting strong families and a sense of community.

HEALTH CARE

The skyrocketing cost of health care over the past seven years is a major reason that millions of Americans are uninsured today.  Add to that the price of insurance, the restrictive actions of insurance carriers and the lack of access to care in many communities and we have a national crisis.

I support national coverage for all Americans.  The Conyers Bill, currently pending in Congress, allows universal coverage, use of private physicians and other providers while still allowing for supplementation for those who want and can afford it.  Introducing younger and healthy individuals into the current Medicare pool of covered individuals should reduce costs and promote new efficiencies.  Patients would be less likely to delay routine care and depend on emergency care of neglected medical conditions which costs all of us more money in the long run.  It is time the US join other developed nations in ensuring that all its citizens have access to preventative care and treatment when needed.

ENVIRONMENT

Most Americans appreciate the importance of adopting a more sustainable lifestyle.  While much can be done by individuals and their consumer choices, it is important for the federal government to pursue a policy that includes incentives for development of alternative fuels, energy efficient cars and appliances and policies that reward environmentally sensitive planning.

A national energy policy that reduces our dependency on foreign oil, looks for clean and renewable alternatives provides strategic as well as environmental benefits.  America can lead the way in developing new industries that promote renewable and sustainable consumer choices, business practices and alternative fuel sources.

IRAQ

US troops deserve more than lip service.  Our soldiers should not be sent in harms way based on manipulated data, false pretenses, grandiose schemes of nation-building or to support profiteering by a small group of multi-national corporations.  Our troops deserve a well-planned mission, full support with equipment and training with health-care and educational benefits to integrate them back into civilian life when their service to the nation has been fulfilled.

I support an immediate plan for a responsible withdrawal of American soldiers.  The elected Iraqi government should take the responsibility for governing and protecting their country.  The US role should be limited to participating in a multi-national aid plan to support the rebuilding of a new Iraq with the costs being repaid from Iraqi oil revenues.