Candidate for
United States Representative; District 52; Democratic Party

I am running for Congress to provide a better future for our children, our community, and our nation.

People in our community are struggling as the cost of healthcare, gas, housing and college skyrocket while jobs get outsourced overseas. Meanwhile, the United States is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on a war in Iraq that even top military leaders now believe is fueling terrorism, not reducing it. There are far better ways to protect our national security and strengthen our defenses here in America.

I support a phased withdrawal to bring our troops safely home. We must stop spending $12 billion a month on the occupation of Iraq and the war in Afghanistan. The money saved should be used to reduce our national deficit and invest in programs to help people here at home, such as caring for our veterans, providing affordable healthcare for all Americans, and revitalizing our economy through incentives to create "green collar" jobs and training in sustainable energy production.

I believe that the first priority of government must be to protect the safety and security of its citizens. This means not only protecting us from threats such as terrorism, but also protecting us from natural disasters such as wildfires and assuring that all Americans have access to high quality, affordable healthcare.

I will be strong voice fighting for universal healthcare for all Americans. Forty percent of working people in my district have no health insurance, and many more are underinsured. People are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of healthcare and other living expenses go up and up. The Institute of Medicine estimates that 18 million people die in the U.S. each year because they have no health insurance.

This is unconscionable. Our healthcare system is inadequate and unequal. It is time for the United States to join with other industrialized nations in the world and provide universal healthcare coverage for all Americans. Under my plan, Americans will have a choice between maintaining their existing coverage, or opting into a universal system, thereby assuring acceptable coverage for all Americans.

The healthcare system is complex. With my consensus building skills, I will push hard to address disparities in medical care to assure that all Americans will have affordable, high-quality care for themselves and their children. This is a top priority issue that affects every person and business in the nation, and solutions must be provided in the near future. We cannot wait.

It is deeply disturbing that this administration fails to provide proper care for many of our military men and women, especially those returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Records from military hospitals regarding suicides and traumatic brain injuries among soldiers who served in Afghanistan and Iraq show the rates are higher than the Pentagon admits. Suicide rates among our young veterans ages 20-24 are two to four times higher than civilians the same age, with 1000 attempts among all veterans each month. Many are not able to obtain counseling for post-traumatic stress. Additionally, nearly 25,000 U.S. soldiers have suffered brain injuries in these wars. I believe we need legislation to require accurate reporting of war injuries suffered by the American soldiers and veterans. All combat veterans must have prompt and appropriate access to physical and mental health services.

Stabilizing and improving the economy is a top priority. We are teetering on the brink of recession and the cost of food, gas, and other necessities has skyrocketed. Home values are plummeting and many people are facing foreclosure. Legislation providing oversight to stem predatory lending and mortgage practices is necessary. We also should educate consumers to understand the marketplace. I support tax relief for middle class and poor Americans, including seniors and disabled people on fixed incomes. I support an investigation into price gouging where oil companies made billions in profits while the average American can barely afford to fill up the gas tank.