Growing Together with a Strong Economy

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• We should lower taxes on middle class Americans while maintaining fiscal discipline.

• We need strong consumer protection laws to protect hard-working Americans from politically powerful special interests like credit card companies, insurance companies, banks, and oil companies.

• Economic policy must encourage research and innovation, including "green-collar" job initiatives, in order to fuel future economic growth.

• We have to rein in the federal budget and put an end to corporate welfare.

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A Long Term Strategy for Iraq

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• We cannot continue the Bush Administration's failed Iraq policy, which has us spending $10 billion each month while there are serious needs here at home.

• It's time for the Iraqi government to start taking responsibility for its own country.

• It's time to start bringing our troops home. The tactical decisions about how to do so and on what timetable have to be made by our military commanders on the ground.

• Once that happens, we can begin to redeploy our forces in a way that effectively addresses the threat of international terrorism.

• We must have a military presence in the Middle East that is sustainable and that protects our national security interests. And our military strategy must include a robust diplomatic component and have meaningful support from our allies abroad.

• We have to do a better job of taking care of our troops when they return home.

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Health Care for Every American

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• Accessible and affordable health care for all Americans is an achievable goal.

• Solving the national health care crisis will also spur economic growth.

• Health care for all children should be our first priority.

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Education: Transforming Our Workforce

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• We need an education system that helps to prepare Georgians for the kinds of high-paying jobs that will be available in the 21st Century's global economy.

• Control of public education rests with state governments and local school boards, but there is a role for the federal government in helping states and local school systems to address the problems they face.

• The federal government can help the most by providing early childhood education for children who need help, by helping school systems achieve excellence, by assisting children with special needs, and by supporting struggling school systems.

• No Child Left Behind focuses too much on micromanaging teachers and students - we need to assist parents and teachers and provide the funding needed for excellence.

• The federal government should expand loan programs that allow students - especially first generation prospective students - to attend college and technical schools.

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Safeguarding Our Environment with a Green Economy

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• We must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and lead the effort to address global climate change.

• The pursuit of new "green" technologies is good for the economy and good for the environment.

• The energy policies of the past are not sustainable and are keeping us from developing new and better energy resources.

• We must insist on rational sustainable growth in the development of our communities.

• The federal government has an important role in easing Georgia's water crisis.

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Protecting Seniors and Retirement Programs

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• We must stop using the Social Security trust fund to pay for Washington's pork-barrel spending.

• The federal government has an important role to play in negotiating with drug companies to lower prescription drug costs for seniors.

• We must safeguard workers' retirement savings and also protect seniors from consumer fraud.

• We must increase funding to fight degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

• We must support families who are caring for older family members.

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Immigration Reform That Will Make the System Work and Protect Our Nation

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• There are two things we need to do immediately: first, we must secure our borders, and second, we have to crack down on employers who hire undocumented workers. Once we do these two things, we can then move to address the need for real and comprehensive immigration reform.

• We need immigration reform that is practical and fair, and that reflects the realities of our economic needs.

• Hard-working immigrants with no criminal records and basic English skills should be allowed to get in line for the opportunity to gain legalized status after paying a fine and back taxes.

• We can curb immigration by supporting other countries in their efforts to become more stable and economically sound.

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Your Thoughts on the Issues

Check back soon, and we'll have much more from Jim. But we also want to hear from you. Folks are fed up with Washington in part because politicians spend more time talking than listening.

In his more than 35 years in public service, Jim has built a reputation for listening first, doing his homework, and working with everyone in order to get things done for Georgians. He would like nothing more than to hear from you.

Please feel free to send Jim an e-mail - info@martinforsenate.com - or drop us a comment on this thread.