Issues
Domestic Partners: Develop a national policy that addresses the rights of domestic partners. Should the national government pass legislation on a federal marriage amendment? Should gay couples be allowed to adopt children? Should the Congress pass a law that gives domestic partners the same legal status as married couples?
Family Planning/Abortion: Develop a policy that addresses the status of the unborn. Should the government fund national healthcare programs that subsidize abortions for the poor on Medicaid? Should the government restrict access to abortions? Should the government restrict late term abortions and/or the Child Custody Act? Should the FDA restrict the access of the "morning after pill" to minors? Should the government pass laws requiring parental consent for minors receiving family planning services? Should the government's Vaccines for Children program cover the vaccine against cervical cancer? Should the government fund the United Nations family planning organization?
Health Care and the Uninsured: Develop a policy that addresses the status of health care in America. Do Americans have a right to health care or is it a privilege? Should the government fund a nation health care program? What should the National National Government's role be in providing health care for those who cannot afford HMO fees? Should pharmaceutical companies be forced to provide prescription drugs to everyone at the same price? Should senior citizens recieving Medicare be provided with free prescription drugs and long term care? If so, who pays for it? is it the role of the National or state governments?
National Economy: Develop a plan that addresses the economic problems facing America. How are we taxed. ? Is it fair? Alternative tax methods? Who pays what? How much should the government be involved with outsourcing, job protection, retaining, immigration (Who gets in?) Who's allowed to hire whom? The mortgage/housing crisis? What should the government's role in the economy?
Separation of Church and State: Develop a policy stating the degree in which the government should adhere to the principle of Separation of Church and State. Is there a role for the Federal government when a state or local government decides to teach "Intelligent Design" in public schools? Should the phrase "Under God" be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance? Is there a need for a constitutional amendment to allow prayer in public schools? Should the government have a Christian chaplain leading prayers in Congress? Should the president hold prayer meetings in the White House? Should the Federal government recognize only Christian holidays as Federal holidays?
Domestic Security/Foreign Policy: Develop a foreign policy that addresses the extent of US involvement in the redevelopment of Iraq and Afghanistan. What should the US stance on the war in Iraq be? What should the US do about AL Qaeda, Iran, and North Korea? How effective is the Patriot Act in fighting terrorism? Should the government be allowed to use unauthorized, secret surveillance on its citizens as a means to fight terrorism? Should citizens be treated different than non- citizens?
Energy/Environment: Develop a long term energy policy to address the current petroleum price increase and future needs Should the national government use its protected land to extract oil and natural gas to help with the energy shortage? Should the government invest in alternative fuels? Should the government limit the use of foreign oil? Should the government force automobiles companies to raise the fuel efficiency of all vehicles? What should the government do about global warming and other environmental protections?
Immigration: Develop an immigration policy that addresses the new challenges facing the national government since 0-11. Should the government continue to build security fences and maintain a military force to secure the border between the Mexico and the US? Should the government criminalize the construction or use of unauthorized entrances into the US, making smugglers and/or illegal immigrants felons? Should the government introduce a guest worker program and should this program lead to eventual citizenship? Should the government outline a path by which illegal immigrants already in the US could work towards legal status and eventual citizenship?
Race/ethnic and religious relations: Develop a national policy to address the issue of the "re-segregating" or America? Are our problems more race/ethnic/religious differences or class differences?
Military Draft/National Service: Should we reinstate the draft? if So, how would that work and who would be exempt? In lieu of military service,should there be a mandatory national service requirement? Who, if anyone, should be exempt?