Restoring Our Prosperity

America traditionally has been a nation that other countries envied. We’ve had opportunities that got better for each generation…until now.  For the first time in our history, we might not be able to leave the next generation better off than ourselves.  We have record numbers of families without health insurance, without savings and mired in debt.  We have businesses collapsing, job loss and outsourcing of our way of life.  All of this truly places America at risk.

Free Trade vs. Fair Trade -

Our economy has suffered through uneven, supposed “free trade” policies.  When nations such as Japan can import a car to America and only pay a 2% tariff, while American companies must pay a 23% tariff to send a car to Japan, this cannot be considered FREE trade.  We actually should be focusing on FAIR TRADE agreements that can benefit BOTH nations instead of this disparity which punishes the American worker.  There have been too many benefits given to companies that move their businesses offshore and who outsource jobs that should remain in America.  (see story)

Traditional manufacturing, management and technological jobs used to be sufficient to support our American families.  Now, we have both parents forced into working low paying service jobs with no benefits so that CEOs can reap tens of millions of dollars each year in pay while overseeing failing businesses.  These same companies outsource those positions that pay decent, livable wages while avoiding paying taxes on profits or personnel.  If companies intent on avoiding responsible citizenship were held accountable regardless of location, this mass exodus of skilled jobs would cease.  Our hardworking American citizens would once again be able to support a family without undo hardship.

Pension Protection and Social Security -

It should be criminal for CEOs to receive tens of millions of dollars in pay and incentives while their companies go belly up through their mismanagement or criminal actions. (see story) When these same companies also fail to meet their pension requirements and go bankrupt due to mismanagement or outright falsehoods, these CEOs should be required to forfeit all profits, benefits, salaries and gains acquired “during their watch”.  (see story) The American taxpayer should not be obligated to pay pension benefits that should have been sacrosanct and protected for the security of dedicated and trusting employees. 

Furthermore, the question of “fixing” Social Security could be easily solved if the income cap was raised to reflect rising wages at the top tier of pay and if Social Security monies were removed from the General Fund.  Having those obligations placed into a secure, untouchable, special account instead of being borrowed to pay down exploding deficits, wars of choice and to prop up failed economic policies would go a long way towards Social Security remaining solvent for generations to come.

Lending Practices –

The failure to regulate our banking and financial institutions has historically resulted in either collapse or rampant abuse.  (see story) Given the American attitude of self-sufficiency and independence, it should be no surprise that our citizens would conduct financial transactions without professional assistance.  However, the average American can no more decipher financial legalese than perform brain surgery.  If financial contracts were required to be printed in everyday, plain English, many of the problems seen within the mortgage and credit industries could have been avoided.

Furthermore, when the nation is running solely on credit, it threatens our entire way of life.  Insurance industries cannot underwrite for all possible scenarios.  Natural disasters, acts of aggression and simple economic fluctuations all place the financial security of our nation at risk.  Coupled with predatory lending, this overwhelming descent into national and individual debt weakens our sovereignty and self-determination.  It allows multinational corporations and foreign nations to control our international and domestic decisions. 

The Environment –

The true riches of our nation encompass the totality of all our national resources: unspoiled wilderness, viable fisheries, sustainable farmland, rich soil, diverse wildlife, clean air and uncontaminated drinking water. It is ignorance and arrogance to assume we can continue to plunder the earth without consequences. Biodiversity and healthy practices benefit man and animal alike. We do not have infinite resources nor can the Earth heal from unchecked abuses. When we have a swirling cesspool of garbage and debris twice as large as the state of Texas in the Pacific Ocean, (see story) (see story) we are jeopardizing the very existence of life on Earth. 

As an example, already we have seen the precipitous decline of honey bees.  These small creatures are vital to the production of our foods.  This should sound an alarm to our country indicating that our behaviors are fast becoming our undoing.  Our water and air continue to be polluted beyond Nature’s ability to clean them.  Heavy metals and toxins invade our fishes and waterways thus threatening our lives as well as those of our children. These accumulate in commonly eaten fishes and then are consumed by us.  They damage our brains, induce cancers and cause birth defects if eaten by pregnant women. This is but one snapshot of how our impact on our environment can harm us.

According to the pollution information site, there are currently more than 1305 Superfund sites in the United States!  These are the nation’s worst toxic waste sites.  Millions of children and adults live near these sites. Everyone has heard of the Love Canal.  Imagine having well over a thousand of these “Love Canals” throughout our country!  At present, Superfund cleanups have essentially come to a stand still and any prospective work to be done will be taxpayer’s responsibility instead of the company who dumped all the toxic waste in the first place.  The protracted poisoning of our communities from these sites harms not only the immediate residents, but also our economy due to lost wages, healthcare costs and taxpayer cleanup monies. 

Our nation has overcome incredible adversity and threat in the past.  We used our phenomenal strengths and gifts to make this nation the richest and strongest in the world.  Our path these past seven years has diverged from the original American ideals to one that places our very notions of freedom in peril.

I want to help lead the people and foster, once again, using the ingenuity and hard work of the American citizen, a nation that stands for integrity, prosperity, pride and responsibility.  We have always had the capability to better our world for ourselves and every other life.  We’ve been pushed in the wrong direction for too many years.  It is time we reclaim our true heritage, our true nature and put an end to the abuses of those whose only concern is profit and power.

Now, we face a time of great decision.  Do we allow the corporations, lobbyists and uncaring politicians to steamroll our country into ruin?  Or do we act?  A vote for me to be your voice in government will be acting to provide a legacy for your children and grandchildren of which you can be proud.