Immigration:

Immigration is one of the most urgent and complicated challenges we face.  In order to resolve it we must address the three critical parts of the issue: the integrity and security of the border; the economic hardships immigrants face in their home countries; and the just treatment of people who have come here to make a better life but who have not done so legally.

Border Security and National Defense:

A fence is not the answer.  This is a bad idea for both strategic and moral reasons.  We should have by now learned the lesson of the Maginot line; static barriers don’t work.  Moreover, a fence goes against the spirit of who we are as a Nation.  We are a warm and welcoming people.  And, it must never be forgotten that this country is a country of immigrants; we would not have achieved our greatness had we closed our hearts, minds and borders to those who sought a better life.

Instead, we must commit to increased funding for border guards and technology, such as drones, cameras, sensors and satellites focused on guaranteeing the integrity of our borders.  Granted, in some portions of the border a fence may help but it is not the answer. As a nation, we must commit to the integrity and security of our border like we’ve committed to the war on terror; indeed, border security is part of this war.

Trade and Economic Development:

We must work with the countries from which the immigrants are coming to improve their economies so people will not be compelled to endanger their lives and break the law simply to survive.  We have precious few resources to spare but wise allocation of economic development funds will ultimately lessen the burden on American taxpayers and create consumers for American products.  NAFTA is in our Nation’s best interest and must be left in place.  The Columbia Free Trade Agreement must be signed; it is inexcusable that this has been blocked by Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leadership.

Current immigrants:

We must create better temporary worker permit systems.  Employers need to fill jobs that others do not seem to want.  If we have open jobs and a willing labor force that desperately needs work, we must, as a fair and compassionate nation, put these two together.

For those who are here illegally, we are a nation of laws and these laws must be enforced.  Yet, this issue can’t truly be addressed until the other issues are resolved.  We will have a continuous stream of people seeking a better life until we help make the life in Mexico and other Latin American countries better; and, until we prevent illegal immigration, it is impossible to fairly address the issue of those who are currently here illegally.  Once we have addressed the other two, our nation, which is itself a nation of immigrants, must show compassion.  We should consider each case individually, taking into account the person’s contribution to American society, the person’s family situation and other important factors, such as the length of time they have been in the US and, perhaps, their prospects upon return to their home country.

Education:

Our Public Schools:

The solution to improving our children’s education must be based on choice and competition.  I believe charter schools and school vouchers provide both.  Every family should have the right to chose where their child is educated regardless of their ability to pay a second tuition.  We all pay one tuition through our taxes but we have no choice for the money we pay.  If we want a choice, families must pay a second tuition.  This is not fair.

Choice and competition will provide many benefits.  Educators will agree that the commitment of a family and the community to education is critical to success.  Good, interested students should not be held back because those around them do not, for whatever reason, have the same level of commitment or support.  Families with means simply chose a public school district where the community is supportive and the schools are successful.  With vouchers all, regardless of means, will have this choice.

I believe all would agree that nothing improves without competition.  If public schools cannot compete and provide the excellent education our children deserve, they shouldn’t survive.  Sacrificing our future simply to preserve a failing system is inexcusable.  Choice, increased by charter schools and vouchers, will force public schools to improve.  Critics of choice suggest public schools would become a system for the less able and troubled students.  Assuming this was true (which is essentially an admission that public schools cannot compete, which I don’t believe) then resources should be devoted to make these schools the experts in special education.

One thing must be made clear: MONEY IS NOT THE ANSWER. Increased parental involvement, teacher professionalism and accountability are the keys.  Competition and choice will provide these keys to success.

Community Colleges:

In the reality of a Global Economy, job requirements change dramatically and quickly.  Community colleges can serve a vital role in helping our talented work force adapt.  Expansion and improvement of these institutions provides an excellent opportunity for public-private partnerships.  Local businesses should be encouraged to become involved with program development and sponsorship; it is in their best interest to do so.  To compete, they must have a talented workforce with knowledge of cutting edge technology and product development.  Community colleges with real and relevant programs can provide these essential workers.

Universities:

Part of the American dream is a college education.  This is right for some, but not all.  Improved community college choices will allow students who want a good education and marketable skills choice.  For those that want a bachelor’s degree, we should try to make it possible.  The Pell Grant program should be evaluated to determine if it can effectively and efficiently be expanded.  I, like many of my generation, benefited from government backed school loans.   The effectiveness and efficiency of these loans must be considered and, if merited, expanded.  I can think of few better investments our government can make than in improving our Nation’s opportunity for higher education.

Energy:

This issue is a national security concern, it is a quality of life concern, it is an environmental concern and it is a concern for the health and future of our economy.  As important as it is, though, we must also consider the day-to-day consequences on real people when we make policy here.   We cannot sacrifice the current well being of our citizens based on an unfinished debate or ill advised policy.  It sounds good to say we’ll tax coal out of existence but who will pay the bill?  The people will in higher costs for electricity and higher prices for products from manufacturers who are dependent on coal for their energy needs.

We cannot simply throw money at the problem or mandate our way into energy independence.  The government must work with industry and the tremendously talented people in our research universities to identify what is viable now (or may become viable with more research) and provide incentives (direct through grants or the tax code) to pursue these options.  We must end the vilification of those who have the resources and the market incentive to innovate; but the government cannot be afraid to lead industry when it fails to take the initiative.

We cannot be afraid of nuclear power.  If safely designed and constructed, nuclear power can provide a significant, if not a majority, of our electrical power needs.  Properly developed and delivered nuclear generated electricity could also provide a real alternative to fossil fuels in the very near future.

The Environment:

We hold our environment, our air, water, trees and soil, in trust for the future.  Everyone, businesses, individual and government, has a responsibility to deliver to future generations a world in at least as good a condition as we have now.

Business must be made to account for the “silent” “hidden” costs of their operations.  Pollution from production in any form must be taken into account by the business that creates it.  If it increases the cost of the product, the market will determine if the product is that valuable or it will force the producer to become more efficient.

However, the private sector is but one part of the problem that we must solve.  We must re-examine our whole transportation network, public and private.  Where can we sensibly add rail lines; where can we improve traffic flow with HOV lanes and other energy saving, environmentally sound practices?  My experience in other countries tells me we can do much, much better if we simply commit to it.

Government can and should take the lead: it must evaluate the overall carbon footprint of its transportation systems and set the goal that no public bus should run on petroleum products by 2012.  Electric, hydrogen and other emerging technologies should be developed as alternate soles source of power for public transportation.  Current buses should be retrofitted, if possible, or otherwise phased out in a reasonable period.  Vehicles used for official business should likewise run on renewable energy by 2012, using phased in replacement of older vehicles with green vehicles.

Taxis in big cities should be required to be at least hybrid by 2012.  This should be phased in to minimize financial hardship on private business and the costs increase which will ultimately be passed on to the consumer.

Government must encourage and assist individuals.  Efficient recycling programs must be developed and implemented.

Abortion:

Pregnancy is an extremely personal issue for a woman.  I know the decisions relating to pregnancy and parenthood are rarely taken lightly.  My wife and I have two children and I have witnessed the amazing changes, challenges and joys only she could feel.  Seeing for the first time the ultrasound pictures of my daughter profoundly affected me; there, inside my wife, was another human being.

I understand that pregnancy forever changes a woman’s life.  But, the change is the creation of life and I am opposed to ending it.  We must educate to prevent unwanted pregnancies.  We must recognize the real life difficulties and emotional dilemmas that woman face and with this understanding help them and provide assistance to those who want to have their babies but fear the costs and consequences of pregnancy and parenthood.

We must do all that we can to decrease the loss of this new human life.   I will oppose any effort to permit the barbarous practice of late term abortions, except where the life of the mother is demonstrably at risk.  And, I will oppose government funding of abortion.

But, in those instances where a family is faced with the horrible choice of saving the child or the mother, I can only stand by the choice I would make and that is to save the woman I love.

Civil Unions:

I am committed to Civil Unions and according to gay and lesbian couples the rights and responsibilities of two people united under the law.  These loving relationships must be recognized.  A compassionate society should do no less.  I do not agree, however, that these unions should be called a marriage which, in our society, is the union of a man and a woman.

Guns and the 2nd Amendment:

The Second Amendment is a critical foundation to our Republic.  It exists for considered and well founded reasons and it must be respected.  However, common sense must prevail.  If our greatest Constitutional Freedoms, the freedom of speech and freedom of the press, can have reasonable limitations, so can the Second Amendment.  Waiting periods for purchase and background checks are reasonable, sensible requirements that do not infringe on the fundamental right of ownership. Semi-automatic weapons should be restricted to “club” use and should not be possessed outside restricted areas.  This is also a reasonable, sensible requirement that would not infringe on ownership or sport enjoyment of the weapon.  Law enforcement organizations across our country have pleaded with us to help them by simply getting these weapons off the streets.  As a party committed to law enforcement, we should head this call and help police stay safe as they keep us safe.