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Our Top Priorities
Economy
Mary is running because she believes the people in Washington care more about Fallujah than they do about Fillmore. The 2 to 3 billion dollars a week we are spending in Iraq will get a much better return on investment if we invest here in our infrastructure, create green collar jobs, boost manufacturing, and assist with the sub-prime loan debacle. Wages have stagnated over the last several years, our dollar has declined, while our debt has risen to record levels. We are in an unsustainable downward spiral and we must act fast. We have witnessed the impact here in the district with falling or stagnate home sales, Amgen laid off 100’s of employees, Countrywide’s fall to near ruin, which affected 100’s of people who live here in Ventura County. The cost of goods and services has far outpaced inflation. For America to be a beacon of hope again in the world, a model of democracy, we must restore our middle class and become strong and secure again here first. It begins in our own back yard.
End the Iraq Occupation
(Top)The people’s command should now lead, not Bush’s, the commander in chief. The US, being a representative democracy, should listen to the voice and the will of the people. Over 60% of our citizens want us to leave Iraq. Over 80% of the Iraqis want us to leave their country. It is time to bring our troops home: combat, support and private contractors. Mary wants all bases closed and turned over to the Iraqi Government and the rebuilding efforts must be turned over to the people of Iraq. We must also set aside adequate funds to rebuild what has been destroyed while calling upon the neighboring countries to be engaged and involved members of the rehabilitation process to stabilize, revitalize and formalize Iraq and its political structure.
Additionally, Mary stands in full support of the Out of Iraq Caucus. She will join with fellow caucus members once in office and be a voice and a vote to get us out of Iraq. A voice we do not have with Elton Gallegly.
Energy and Environnment
(Top)Mary is here to talk about the energy crisis. Our Congressman doesn’t have the energy to fight for us anymore. He had to be talked into running when all he really wanted to do is lobby on K Street. But that’s only one energy crisis. When it comes to fighting for cleaner air, oil independence, or alternative fuels, Elton doesn’t vote favorably on environmental issues. He currently has a rating of 15% by the League of Conservation Voters which indicates anti-environment votes. Further, it may not be Elton’s fault that oil is $110 a barrel and gas is $4 a gallon, but it is his fault if he’s not doing anything to change it. Elton voted no on funding the Environmental Protection Agency and the Forest Service. He also voted against a bill that would have required utility companies to produce 15% of their electricity from wind, solar, and other renewable sources. Meanwhile, gas prices have soared while Gallegly has been in office. It is time for a new direction in congress and Mary has the energy to implement and vote for the right energy policies for cleaner air for our district, our state, our children.
Healthcare
(Top)The only way you can be sure to get great affordable health care is to go to prison or go to Congress because the government subsidizes both. But assuming you and your family don’t want to do either, we need to understand that it is almost impossible for us to continue on the current path we are on of rising insurance premiums, less coverage, 1000’s uninsured here in our district. Single Payer will return the care back over to your doctors and hospitals and away from administrators sitting miles away in a cubicle making decisions about your health and well being. Single Payer, publicly funded and privately run healtcare, is comprehensive coverage for all and will greatly reduce the financial burden on businesses and families who struggle to pay insurance premiums.
