Education

We need to allow local officials to make final decisions, but the federal government can provide support for hiring more teachers, reducing classroom size, replacing or rebuilding older facilities, and helping less wealthy schools keep pace with technology.

Energy

We must develop a comprehensive energy plan that looks at both the immediate and long-term solutions to America's energy needs.  This includes expanding domestic drilling, developing alternative energy sources using solar and wind, increasing fuel cell research and usage, and improving the efficiency of existing products. 

Health Care

We must focus our efforts on preventive-care, and if we can convince doctors and health care plans to spend more time and resources on preventing injury and disease we can save lives and costs. 

Jobs & The Economy

We need to enact laws to protect jobs against unfair, subsidized imports that have battered our steel and manufacturing industries; help small business compete in a global economy; and assure safe working conditions in our factories, mills, mines and offices.

Right to Privacy

We need legislation to protect the records held on us, especially our health and bank records, to stop using the Social Security number as an identifier, and to provide better safeguards against identity theft. The recent incident in which the administration failed to adequately protect the personal information of millions of veterans brings this issue to the forefront.

Social Security/Retirement Security

We need to insure the long-term stability of Social Security, and the first step is to defeat the proposals to privatize the system. At the same time, we need to shore up the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp. and provide incentives for companies to provide better retirement programs.