For a change of pace, this is an open thread to discuss what our own top issues are. Are the issues for RK readers any different from what the polls tell us about the general public? As informed political junkies do we see things any differently?
Jump in with your top issue(s) and why they're so important to you.
*ENVIRONMENT-enough is enough. Stop telling me that global warming still has a jury out on its importance. Obviously, we need to stop destroying our planet and pretending we are the only country deserving of natural resources.
*a TRUE separation of church and state-the current Republican party is going to destroy religion by giving it too much power in government.
*economy-helping the poor and the middle class, I think the wealthy have gotten enough attention and gifts for a good 40 years.
*national election holidays, and TRUE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM-we get those, we don't need to worry about being the minority party for a long time. Which is exactly why we have never gotten those things. So, let's get them.
*UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE-Enough is enough. The right to life should be available to every citizen of this country. It's available in Iraq, why not here?
The Hate Amendment - this affront to freedom is just the tip of the greater effort by certain people to legislate social behavior and force society to live by their will. Whether viewed as a separation of Church and State issue, or simply like minded people attempting to subjugate everyone to their own "moral values", I don't think this sort of law or constitutional amendment has any place in a free society.
The Environment - which has always been important to me, has become an even more pressing issue given imminent and dire effects of global warming. But, unfortunately, this is one that probably won't get much interest during the election cycle. But it is an issue with me.
And I most often blog on education. You can see how much by looking at which I posted at dailykos at around 11:35 today (Tues 8/8): it is an annotated list of links to all of my education diaries at dailykos. Take a look.
I also believe higher education needs to receive more attention. There has been a lot of debate recently over the out sourcing of jobs. Jobs wouldn't be sent overseas, however, if there was an overflowing number of college educated people available here in the US. That won't happen, however, if the price of college remains so high and students aren't able to receive more funding. As a college senior that's considering grad school, I can honestly say that the financial difficulties faced by grad students is one of the main things that would make me reconsider going straight to grad school.
2. Iraq War - I don't favor an immediate pullout, but we need a radical change of course/strategy and a marshall plan to train Iraqi troops.
3. Social Security - We need to shore it up NOW, not later, by raising the retirement age and using other steps...
4. Education - We need experimental education reform, not more bureaucratic red tape. THis is a STATE and LOCAL issue, and the feds should stay out.
How we are overextending the troops in Iraq.
The Civil War in Iraq.
The implications for Iran, Syria and the entire region since the Iraq mess is now coupled with the Lebanon/ Israeli mess.
Reversing the historic ban the Pres. put on cameras at Dover. Let our country honor our dead. Don't say "bring it on" then hide the ultimate sacrifices thousands of US troops have made.
The deterioration of Afghanistan that no one is mentioning.
The Working Poor.
Can someone help out New Orleans? Please?
Homeland Security - or US Disaster Response. This is a mess and 5 years after 9/11 a disgrace.
Equality - stopping the hate amendment - and respecting all citizens as equals.
They promised smaller government but gave us the biggest we've ever had.
They promised fiscal responsibility but gave us the worst debt in human history.
They run a shell game called "Tax Relief" and take the money from our children.
They promised moral leadership but are bogged down in corruption and war profiteering scandals.
They claim to be "Pro-Life" but abortions went down under Bill Clinton and have leveled out since.
They promised to protect our privacy but tap our phones and tell us how to live our lives.
They promised to simplify the tax code but increased it from 5,000 to over 17,000 pages.
They promise to protect our borders but legalized border crossing in the '80s to break the unions.
They promised to "Bring America Back" but outsource our jobs and sell off our ports and highways.
Our Government used to be about this:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Republicans have misled America over and over again. Had Enough? - Vote Democratic.
Had Enough - Vote Democratic
http://toddsmyth.goo...
Economic Security--STOP skyrocketing debt, reckless spending priorities, and complete abandonment of the middle class. We need leaders who will put their constituents first--who will are willing to seriously addressing the looming crises with Social Security and Medicare; reform of the tax code along the lines of Sen. Ron Wyden's proposal (D-Oregon) offer an excellent starting point as well.
Economic Security--STOP skyrocketing debt, reckless spending priorities, and complete abandonment of the middle class. We need leaders who will put their constituents first--who will are willing to seriously addressing the looming crises with Social Security and Medicare; reform of the tax code. Sen. Ron Wyden's (D-Oregon) offer an excellent starting point on this issue.