Foreign Policy

Increase commitment to diplomacy and conflict resolution. We cannot sustain the unilateral attitudes of the Bush Administration. While as a Congressman I will not have full jurisdiction over our foreign policy, I will always promote multilateral approaches to conflict resolution. We must also work with our allies to ensure that all people are granted their basic human rights. Wars of aggression cannot be supported by the United States and we must strive to support our allies in defensive efforts and through diplomatic negotiations. I believe that America is at its strongest when we work with our allies to secure a stronger, more peaceful world community.

Fight terrorism. I believe we need to fight terrorism with freedom. Fundamental American rights have eroded under George W. Bush and at the same time the standard of living for most of the Middle East has declined. If instead we fight terrorism with a heightened vigilance for the rights and liberties that make American great, the terrorists will lose. If we fight the conditions that make many countries ripe for terrorism - poverty and disease - instead of fighting an ill-conceived war we will eliminate terrorist recruitment. America needs to focus on what we do best. We can help build and foster healthy markets and free societies.

Increase National Security. We must at the same time protect our country from another terrorist attack. Our airports, ports, and transportation systems continue to be vulnerable and Congress needs to implement and enforce the recommendations of the 9/11 commission. Our intelligence community needs to continue to improve and work together to prevent future attacks.

Protect Civil Liberties. If we fight terrorism with a heightened vigilance for the rights and liberties that make American great, the terrorists will lose. We cannot allow the federal government to use Americans’ fear of terrorist attacks to limit the very freedoms we are trying to protect. I am opposed to warrantless wiretapping and other instances of circumventing current laws and international treaties under the guise of national security. We need to continue to collect intelligence on terrorist networks and protect America, but this can be done legally and through proper Congressional channels.