O'Malley unveils blueprint for 'American Dream.' NH Union Leader
Martin O’Malley is rolling out 15 goals to “Rebuild the American Dream,” as he campaigns for the Democratic nomination for President.
The former Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor says the goals will be a guide for an O’Malley administration.
“How you campaign determines how you govern,” O’Malley said in an interview about his goals. “These goals are the road work, if you will.”
Comprehensive immigration reform, debt-free college, and a target of a 100 percent clean-power grid are among the goals.
Each goal will be backed up with more details; O’Malley has already proposed some policy statements. The goals are vision statements. To that end, he talks about how no child should go hungry, Americans must retire with dignity, and no bank should be “too big to fail or too big to jail.” . .
They are progressive ideals, and O’Malley said he realized “progressive results” as a former mayor and governor. . .
People are hungry for an alternative to the inevitable front-runner,” O’Malley said in the interview. “People are looking for new leadership.”
O’Malley also repeated criticism of the Democratic National Committee’s primary debate schedule: six debates, with the first in October, and the lone Granite State debate being Dec. 19, the Saturday before Christmas.
“I think the people of New Hampshire deserve more than just one debate,” he said.
In a statement of his goals, O’Malley declares that America’s best days, built on historic successes, are ahead.
“Our national ingenuity, compassion, and sheer grit in the face of adversity landed a man on the moon, healed the world after total war, chartered the best research universities, and built the strongest middle class the world has ever known,” O’Malley says. “Today, our country faces new challenges — among them a changing climate, a justice system in need of reform, and an economy in which 70 percent of Americans are making less today than they were 12 years ago. These challenges require new solutions, bold ideas, and a real commitment to action.”
The 15 Goals:
1) Increase America’s family median net worth by $25,000 in 10 years.
2) Generate 100 percent of U.S. electricity with renewable energy by 2050.
3) Cut the jobless rate among young people in half within three years.
4) Reach full employment for veterans by 2020.
5) Ensure 11 million “new Americans” are on a path to citizenship.
6) Achieve debt-free college within five years.
7) Improve college/career readiness and increase college completion rates by 25 percent within 10 years.
8) End childhood hunger by 2020.
9) Reform criminal justice system to “save and redeem lives.” Reduce recidivism by 20 percent within 10 years.
10) Cut deaths from gun violence — homicides, suicides and accidents — in half by 2025.
11) Reduce deaths from drug overdoses by 25 percent by 2020.
12) Reduce infant mortality by 10 percent by 2020.
13) Require banks to separate commercial and speculative banking within five years
14) Restore America’s competition and antitrust laws, directing the Justice Department to take action within one year of office.
15) Implement public financing of congressional campaigns within five years.
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150813/NEWS06/150819666
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