What are the issues and what are solutions that will create greater opportunity
Women's Issues
Issues:
- Economic insecurity has a disproportionate impact on women's lives. Women frequently work in lower wage jobs, earning less per year and receiving fewer job benefits. As frequent heads of single parent households, their poverty greatly impacts children. Additionally at risk are older women, living longer on fixed incomes and frequently receiving inadequate social security benefits.
- Domestic violence continues to plague our society despite our efforts to educate, prevent and prosecute. In times of economic hardship, rates of violence against women and children rise
- There are many issues having a disproportionate effect on women. But, perhaps no issue affects a woman more than the right to control her own body.
Solutions:
- As a society, we need to stop undervaluing "women's work." Women provide valuable services, services where competence and quality matter. It is time to compensate them fairly for their talent and dedication.
- Access to education and high quality affordable childcare are essential for raising the earning power of women, especially those living at the edge. As the dynamics of the extended family change, we must reexamine the needs of older adults, making sure that they receive the support they deserve
- Safe and secure shelters are a necessity to break the cycle of violence. Lack of access to shelters leaves families at the mercy of abusers and increases the chances that the cycle of violence will continue into the next generation.
- All individuals, men and women, have a right to control their own bodies. A woman does not loose this right when she becomes pregnant. I believe that women, provided with opportunity and hope, are the best determiners of their futures.
Kids Issues
Issues:
- Too many of our nation's children are overweight and out of shape, leading to a host of childhood health problems including an explosion in the incidence of type II diabetes.
- Although studies have shown conclusively that quality pre-school programs narrow the achievement gap between low-income students and their middle class peers, these programs remain out of reach for most at-risk families.
- Childhood health problems, such as autoimmune disorders and learning disabilities, are on the rise. We are likely to see the numbers continue to increase unless we determine the causes.
Solutions:
- Kids need real food. We cannot allow industry to control the conversation on childhood nutrition. We need to closely examine the additives that manufacturers put into the foods our kids eat. Fresh fruits and vegetables are more expensive than processed foods. Low-income parents need access to and information about good childhood nutrition. Safe communities encourage parents to allow outdoor play. A vibrant system of parks and outdoor recreation provides families with healthy and enjoyable opportunities for exercise.
- We must make quality pre-schools accessible to all. They offer the best opportunity for low-income children to become successful students and productive adults.
- Medical research into childhood diseases must continue unfettered. Recent increases in autism, autoimmune disorders and other health problems may be early warnings of bigger problems to come. If modern food production methods and lifestyle changes are damaging our children's health, the time to act is now.
Security
Issues:
- The protection of American citizens, at home and abroad, is a national priority of the highest order but efforts to protect us from our enemies have sometimes impinged on individual civil rights.
- Our troops are deployed across the globe. For how long, and at what cost, should we maintain our military presence in foreign lands?
- Although as a country we are quick to express gratitude and respect for the services of American men and women in uniform, when they return home we too often fail to provide them with essential services.
- Danger takes many forms. While terrorism has claimed the spotlight, infectious diseases, able to spread across the globe in a matter of hours, pose significant dangers. Water and food supply contamination are huge concerns as our sources increasingly cross both state and national borders.
Solutions:
- Americans want protection that works. Modern solutions must blend diplomacy, economic development and military might. We should not abandon our constitutional protections in our rush to fight domestic and foreign terrorism. The balance between freedom and security must be maintained.
- Whenever our troops are deployed, we must have clear goals and objectives and an action plan for accomplishing those goals. An indefinite stay in either Afghanistan or Iraq is unacceptable.
- Every veteran deserves access to the highest quality medical care. No more arguing about pre-existing conditions or PTSD! Veterans may need help transitioning back into civilian life. We owe them the opportunity to complete their education.
- The U.S. agencies charged with protecting our national health must be adequately funded. Cutting edge surveillance is needed to detect outbreaks and monitor our food and water safety. Foreign disease outbreaks quickly find themselves on our shores. We must be proactive and vigilant.
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