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Their collective responses resonated with my heartstrings more than I thought they might. And because they were often said by several candidates I'm using my own words, not necessarily quoting anyone:
Bush is a miserable failure!
Foreign Policy... The United States needs to work to repair its relationships with multinational institutions, through honoring its existing international treaty commitments, even if the treaties need modifications to meet American values.
America can't ignore is associations with its closest neighbors or its traditional allies.
Defense... US strategic thinking needs to get back to the War on Terror focusing on groups known to threaten US territory and facilities.
With respect to Iraq, the US needs to move away from the role of occupying power and become a facilitator of international cooperation in the reconstruction of a self-reliant Iraq.
The US needs to abandon the concept of developing new nuclear weapons.
Economy... Domestic prosperity and the unregulated cowboy capitalism of the global open-range are ultimately incompatible.
The US needs to develop policies that recognize capitalism is based on the domestic survival of both producers and consumers.
Companies should be rewarded for keeping jobs in the US, not for increasing profits by moving jobs out of the country.
The American economy can be stimulated by addressing outstanding needs of its domestic transportation, energy, water, food, and anti-pollution infrastructures.
Trade Fairness in trade competition is essential.
Trade must not facilitate predatory corporate practices that simultaneously exploit foreign workers/distant environments, and create circumstances in which American workers cannot compete.
Health Care Profiteering by the gatekeepers to the health-care system robs Americans of the opportunity for medical coverage that is provided to citizens of every other developed country in the world.
Welfare and Education... You can't support the level of miltary adventurism of the Bush administration and not have a negative impact on the capacity of the country to support social programs which have outstanding needs for women, children, the elderly and the unemployed.
Labor... American workers are a critical part of the domestic economy.
All workers in the US have the right to the protections of American labor law.
Unalienable worker rights include the right seek fair treatment such as fair wages, safe working places, through organizing and if necessary to striking.
Energy... The US needs to develop and adopt domestic alternatives to foreign energy sources.
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