 ISSUES
Good
Government
Many Americans are very concerned -- with good reason --
about the erosion of participatory democracy in this country. Who doesn’t feel
discouraged and angry at the constant news of corruption and influence peddling
in Washington? When lobbyists pay for votes by elected officials, we are robbed
of our fundamental right as citizens to have our voices heard.
Voters in California’s 4th congressional
district deserve a legislative representative who shares their values and who
will put their interests first. In Congress, I will actively support legislation
and policies such as bringing the war in Iraq to a quick and secure resolution,
protection for pensions and Social Security, ensuring the government keeps its
promise to our troops and veterans, access for all Americans to good, affordable
health care and the preservation and stewardship of our natural environment.
Integrity
I want to be a part of a return to integrity, honesty and
accountability in Congress. As a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, I
still believe in its honor code: “We will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate
those who do.” It is shameful that a majority of voters do not trust their
elected representatives and view politicians negatively. If I’m elected to
office, I will list the name and special interest of every lobbyist I or any
member of my staff meets with on my Congressional website.
More on Why Integrity Matters, Doolittle &
Corruption......
Security
It takes both a strong military and accurate intelligence
to keep our country secure. The brave men and women of our armed forces believe
in our nation’s cause, and we must keep them well equipped and well-trained to
defend us. However, a strong military alone will not keep us safe. We need to
regain the respect of our allies and the rest of the world so that we are able
to utilize all aspects of problem solving in resolving conflict.
We also need economic security. Currently, both our nation’s debt and our
trade deficit are at record levels. When our nation’s financial standing is
insecure, it impacts all of us. I will demand fiscal responsibility and work to
end the dangerous cycle of borrow and spend currently in place in Congress. I
will also help put an end to the outsourcing of American jobs and provide small
businesses with the tools to encourage entrepreneurial innovation and job
creation. You should be secure in your job and in the knowledge that the
retirement system you’ve worked for and contributed to, will be there when you
need it.
Education
Education is the cornerstone to building a strong future
for our country and we must commit to strengthening our schools. For example, we
know that preschool and small classroom size leads to improved performance and
graduation rates. We need to set a goal of ensuring that our children receive
instruction by the best trained, most qualified teachers in the world. Providing
opportunities for students to attain higher education will also be one of my
priorities. Under the Bush administration, university and college fees have
risen dramatically while federal and state grants and scholarships have
decreased. Additionally, we need to return arts and vocational training to our
nation’s education system. In order to remain competitive in a global economy,
we must provide our youth with the tools to build our country’s future.
Healthcare
and Quality of Life
Access to quality, affordable healthcare is critical. An
illness should not cause anyone to lose their family’s life savings or cause
bankruptcy. There are 43.6 million uninsured Americans. I will make addressing
the current healthcare crisis a top priority. Protecting the environment is also
vital in protecting the health and quality of life of all Americans,
particularly our children. I will fight for clean air, clean water, and
preservation of our natural resources. What we do today to protect our
environment will have an impact on future generations of Californians.
copyright 2005 Charles Brown For Congress
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