The key points within the debate centered around two issues that are very dear to me, namely, the War in Iraq, since I’m a former Vietnam Veteran and understand what our troops are going through and Health Care, since I’m 59 years of age, and I’m sure some day I will need to rely on a well conceived Health Care Plan, such as Governor Richardson implemented within his state of New Mexico.
What I didn’t like, most of all was Senator Clinton’s answer to the issue of fixing Social Security. “Getting a group of people together in a room to find a solution to the Social Security problem”, tells me the Senator doesn’t have a plan and again like other issues, she’s taking the “wait and see” attitude or “go with the flow”. During this coming election I want to read and judge a candidate’s plan on the each issue that’s important to me, I guess I’m selfish that way, before the candidate gets my vote.
One issue during the debate that I feel needs serious though on is the “Gender Issue”, which Senator Clinton seems to be getting a lot of mileage out of, and that is the old Harry Truman saying of “get out of the kitchen if you can’t stand the heat”. Perhaps humorous today to some degree, and perhaps not even an issue to be considered for those of us Americans who feel a woman is as capable of leadership as a man, but when you’re talking with international leaders where a woman is looked down upon, such as in the Middle East, Asia and Central Asia; “gender” most certainly is an important issue.
Madeline Albright, former Sectary of State and today’s current Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have had limited, if any success, in resolving the problems in the aforementioned regions. Again, which candidate has experience in finding workable solutions in those areas and has been nominated for the fifth time for a Nobel Peace Prize, Governor Richardson.
What tonight’s debate has left me with is; I sticking with my choice from day one, Governor Richardson, and I grateful that my country is open minded enough to accept both a woman candidate and an Afro-American candidate for the presidency within my life time.
The Governor’s Presidential Campaign’s web site is here.
I’ve seen many blogs where there owners copied articles from established web sites, and in some cases implying the scripted content was authored by themselves, which I dislike and disapprove of. It may appear in this posting that I have done the same, which is only partly true.
Currently I am working and residing in Thailand, with plans to return to the states within the coming months and actively campaign for Governor Richardson, in his quest for the Presidency. Since I’m limited to Internet participation only and cannot personally attend formal functions, rallies, or physical assistance; this blog and posting to past along the “Word” is the only way I can provide support to the Governor’s campaign.
Hopefully the readers of this posting will be able to understand what I have personally authored from that of what I have copied from Governor Richardson’s web site or transcribed from the campaign’s posted videos.
My feelings and opinions are my own within this blog; I do not have any affiliation with the Governor or any part of his campaign or members of his staff.
Promoted by Joaquin
Last night in Davenport, Iowa, the most significant exchange in all of the Democratic Presidential debates to date occurred. Judy Woodruff asked the candidates if they were elected how many U.S. troops would remain in Iraq after their first year in office. Biden said it depends on how Bush leaves Iraq. Edwards agreed with Biden, claiming "it's impossible to say." Clinton echoed Biden's view, vaguely offering "a reasonable and prudent plan" to get our troops out. Dodd objected to speaking about 2010 and said Congress should not wait that long to act. Only Richardson provided a direct and unambiguous answer:Zero troops! . . . Without getting our troops out you can not have a political settlement. . . . I would take all of our troops out. We need to end this war now.Here is the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBe_nsa3Dho Read More »
But, you know, Richardson's got ample reason for boldness: out of all the candidates, Democrat or Republican, only he has what it takes to withdraw all of our troops, to use diplomacy and negotiation to involve neighboring countries who have an interest in stemming regional conflict.
I would feel so much safer with Bill Richardson as president. He knows how to keep borders secure without alienating our friends. I truly believe he will do whatever it takes to protect us from enemies here and abroad. And the best thing yet? He'll restore the Constitution after its recent trampling by the Bush Administration. There's nothing in the world better than that!
Some topics are just crying out for new answers, and one of those topics has to do with AIDS. I feel BR attempted to get at some of those answers, but the format didn't allow for it.
Here are some facts regarding the related issues of AIDs, teenage pregnancy, and abortion. My thanks to Gary Wills for some of this information.
American girls are just as sexually active as girls in Canada and Western Europe. However, deprived of sex education, American girls are five times as likely to have teenage pregnancies; five times as likely to have AIDS/HIV; seven times as likely to have an abortion; and seventy times as likely to have gonorrhea.
Whenever prospective mothers have access to contraceptives, assurances that they and their babies will have access to healthcare, and at least enough income to meet their basic needs; rates for teen pregnancies and STD infection plummet. The highest rates of abortion, teen pregnancy, and HIV infection are in those countries that have strict prohibitions on abortion and sex education.
So, the solution to the AIDS crisis and related issues is all around us. We have to do away with faith-based initiatives that prevent us from having adult discussions about sex and family planning. Puerile prohibitions on sex education are leading to higher rates of infection. AIDS treatment is, as everyone knows, plodding and difficult. Treatment is not the solution to the AIDs crisis ... the answer is stopping the rate of new infections.
As BR continually points out, America has lost its leadership position ... and this is one area were that statement rings particularly true. The US is a third world country on the issue of AIDS. The bittersweet aspect to that commentary is that some third world countries are doing a marvelous job at AIDS prevention, especially Thailand and Uganda.
Uganda has a national "ABC" campaign: "A" - abstinence, "B"- be faithful to your partner, and "C" - use a condom if you can't do "A" or "B" ... it's been tremendously successful. The sad part is the the Bush Administration has offered financial support for Uganda's program as long as they drop the "C".
In America, if we don't want to lead, we don't have to reinvent the wheel either. An international perspective, like the one BR espouses on so many matters, is the right perspective. There is much to learn from the successful programs and policies of other countries. Often, its not even a question of resources, but attitude. There are desperately poor countries who are out-performing the US.
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