From Heritage.org
January 22, 2009
Will Lobbyists Turn the Stimulus Package Into a Festival of Fiscal Greed?
by Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
Backgrounder #2232
As Congress and President Barack Obama move closer to devising a federal fiscal stimulus package, Washington's lobbyists and many of their benefactors in Congress have ramped up efforts to make sure that their clients and preferred constituents get a piece of the action. As the proposed volume of spending on that package has risen from the earlier $300 billion to $825 billion, these efforts have intensified, and more have joined in the money scramble.
Indeed, not since late 2001, after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon unleashed an unprecedented business, local government, and lobbyist assault on the federal bud get, has there been such a fiscal feeding frenzy chomp ing its way through the halls of Congress--and through the pockets of America's beleaguered tax payers. Members of Congress and the President should do whatever they can to make sure that the players in this revival of the Beggar's Opera are not rewarded.
Perhaps typical of the frenzy underway after 9/11 was the approach taken by Representative Jim Moran (D-VA), who exclaimed in the aftermath of the terror ist attack, "It's an open grab bag, so let's grab." Moran was not alone in welcoming a greedy grab for what ever tax dollars he could get: In the days after the attack, Washington, D.C., witnessed a parade of petitioners marching through town as a Who's Who of the American business community, trade associations, and state governments came together in an uncom mon spirit of sacrifice: offering to sacrifice the hard-earned income of the taxpayers for the benefit of their own industries or states.[1]
With the country confronting the prospect of one of the worst recessions since the Great Depres sion of the 1930s, the taxpayers who fund the fed eral government's operation are again under assault by the same crowd of wealthy, influential constitu ents seeking a piece of what many expect will be massive volumes of new federal spending.
My Way with the Highways
Typical of the escalating demands is that of the American Association of State Highway and Trans portation Officials (AASHTO), the trade association for state departments of transportation. One of the first organizations to sense the opportunity for more federal money from a stimulus package, AASHTO claimed in January 2008 that its members had identified about 3,000 "ready-to-go" transportation projects costing $18 billion. But as the dollar mag nitude of the proposed stimulus package doubled over the year and approached $1 trillion, AASHTO stepped up with its plate and raised its request to 5,280 projects costing $65.9 billion--more than triple its year-ago wish list.[2]
In that same ready-to-go spirit, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums "called for shovel-ready zoo and aquarium infrastructure projects to be eligible for federal stimulus funding" and noted that 79 per cent of Americans believe that zoos and aquariums are good for their local economies.[3]
Not to be outdone by fish and mammals, Amer ica's artists have also stepped forward to assist their countrymen in their time of need, albeit for com pensation. Michael Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, argues for emergency grants for arts organizations and legisla tion that "allows for unusual access to endow ments." He contends that the arts community is "quietly falling apart" and that "this perfect storm has already weakened the fabric of our nation's arts ecology." Kaiser emphasizes that "[w]e are losing the entertainment and inspiration we need more than ever during this terrible scary time."[4]
Stimulating Vacations
Artists and animals were not the only segment of the nation's entertainment market in search of tax payer largesse to weather the storm. The American Society of Travel Agents wants the Small Business Administration to establish a direct federal loan pro gram that travel agents can use to build their busi nesses,[5] while the U.S. Travel Association-- representing hotels, resorts, and theme parks--and the American Hotel and Lodging Association want to create a federally funded office to promote U.S. tourism to foreigners.[6]
The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) has its own four-point plan for economic recovery, arguing for extended unemployment insurance, more food stamps, $7 billion to $10 billion in school-building repairs in poor neighborhoods, and $3.6 billion in additional U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Develop ment housing vouchers.
Joining the fray on behalf of public education, many of the nation's presidents of public (i.e., tax payer-supported) universities are seeking their fair share of the stimulus pie, although their demands vastly exceed those of ACORN. According to The Wall Street Journal, "The university chiefs seek an additional 'federal infusion of capital'--as much as $45 billion--to build new facilities, especially 'green' ones. 'To ensure a rapid response, only projects that are shovel-ready or in which construc tion can begin within 120-180 days should be funded.'"[7] Among the signatories to the desperate plea for federal funds was the president of the Uni versity of Virginia, whose $4 billion endowment helps support his $797,048 annual salary.[8]
The university presidents' green theme was ech oed by a coalition formed by the Service Employees International Union, the Sierra Club, the Economic Policy Institute, and other groups in support of a trillion-dollar spending package to stimulate the economy.[9] Their request follows the earlier green stimulus proposal developed by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, which proposed that the federal government spend $47.2 billion on such projects as Amtrak, Cash for Clunkers, and solar roofs for federal buildings.[10]
California Is Dreaming
After years of overspending and fiscal misman agement, more than 40 states are likely to be run ning large deficits, with California confronting a whopping $31 billion shortfall--five times larger than the next-worst state, New York. In an attempt to hive off their management problems to the federal taxpayers, a group of Democratic governors is requesting a federal bailout of $1 trillion, largely to maintain funding for programs at risk of being cut to balance state budgets.[11] Not every governor sup ports this "take and spend" strategy: South Carolina's Mark Sanford contends that "Borrowing money and cutting checks to fund infrastructure is not the best way to juice the economy…and this notion that Washington, with a blink of a wand, can create 2.5 million jobs is strange in a market economy."[12]
The United States Conference of Mayors is also seeking a bailout from Washington and has pre pared an 800-page plan called MainStreet Eco nomic Recovery that would cost $180 billion and have "lasting economic and environmental benefits."[13] Though more modest in scope and size than the governors' plan, the mayors' proposal has become the object of national and local ridicule because of the nature of many of the projects on the list, including:
$4.8 million for a polar bear exhibit in Rhode Island;
$13 million for Las Vegas to improve pedestrian access to a casino, as well as additional funds for a Las Vegas museum on organized crime;
$6 million for snowmaking equipment in Minnesota; and
$100 million to allow Philadelphia to clear land for a casino that has not yet been approved.
Shovel-Ready?
Underscoring the "not quite ready-to-go" nature of many of the mayor's projects, some citizens of Charleston, South Carolina, were dismayed to dis cover that their mayor had offered up their neighbor hood for a new cross-island roadway for which no agreement had been reached, nor plans made, nor any land acquired. South Carolina's Post and Courier reported that when confronted by his constituents, Mayor Joseph Riley responded that "'[p]eople have a basic misunderstanding of the so-called list.' The projects on the list are 'not requests,' he said, 'they're examples' of projects that could soon be ready for construction if a stimulus package is approved."[14]
Also included in the growing list of petitioners are the many passenger-rail hobbyists who want more money for the already heavily subsidized Amtrak system; the National Association of Realtors and National Association of Homebuilders, who want money to support residential construction; and the Real Estate Roundtable, the National Asso ciation of Industrial and Office properties, and indi vidual companies that are seeking federal support for commercial real estate.[15]
The YWCA USA wants to make sure that women "get a robust share of the social spending," while the Latino Coalition wants to make sure that Hispanics are included. Lobbyist Howard Malone of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association sees the coming stimulus package as an opportunity to restore eroded beaches.[16] And coming on top of the multibillion-dollar bailout of the domestic auto mobile industry, a consortium of 14 U.S. companies planning to manufacture lithium batteries for Gen eral Motors' prospective Chevy Volt electric car are requesting one billion dollars of federal subsidies to speed the project along.[17]
Conclusion
The above-described instances of state and local governments, not-for-profits, and businesses seek ing greater subsidies from the federal government reflect only a small sample of the kinds of institu tions and organizations making such requests and the areas of activity on which they are focused. In the transportation area alone, organizations such as the American Public Transit Association, the Amer ican Road and Transportation Builders Association, the Associated General Contractors, the U.S. Cham ber of Commerce, and Building America's Future are among some of the other groups competing with AASHTO for more federal transportation infrastructure spending.
Similar lists could be produced of those request ing more federal spending on the environment, labor unions, education, social welfare, and national parks, to name just a few areas that are of interest to the growing list of petitioners. As Congress gets closer to enacting a stimulus plan, the list of peti tioners and self-identified needy components of our economy will certainly grow even more, both in number and in scope.
In a normal legislative year, any one of these influential organizations and their congressional benefactors might be expected to get some piece of the action, as a new President may feel compelled to accommodate some of them. For the new Obama Administration, so much pressure from so many organizations might be seen as hobbling its freedom in crafting a cost-effective stimulus plan that does what it is supposed to do: help jump-start the pri vate economy at minimal cost and interference.
But 2009 is no ordinary year, and the sheer mag nitude of the special pleadings--which by now probably exceed in cost several years' worth of the nation's gross domestic product--not to mention the dozens of six- or eight- or 12-point recovery plans, should make most of these self-indulgent schemes easy to ignore for a determined President ready to make his mark and do the right thing.
Not every leading institution or organization is seeking a handout, and some even question whether a severe recession is such a bad thing. Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, argues that the credit crunch should be seen as a welcome "reality check" for a climate of "unsustain able greed." But while some others might share that view, the behavior of the many above-cited petition ers suggests that unsustainable greed is alive and well--at least in Washington, D.C.[18]
Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D., is Herbert and Joyce Morgan Senior Research Fellow in the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
No Earmarks? Get real!
From the Washington Post
AP: Lobbyists Get Around Obama's Earmark Ban
Associated Press writer Julie Hirschfeld Davis wrote an interesting story about something that feels almost inevitable.
"President Barack Obama's ban on earmarks in the $825 billion economic stimulus bill doesn't mean interest groups, lobbyists and lawmakers won't be able to funnel money to pet projects," she wrote.
"They're just working around it -- and perhaps inadvertently making the process more secretive."
Even a quick read of the massive House stimulus bill suggests that influence -- naturally, some of you in the know will say -- will play a role in how a lot of the money is handed out.
Here's what the AP story had to say:
"The result, as The Associated Press learned in interviews with more than a dozen lawmakers, lobbyists and state and local officials, is a shadowy lobbying effort that may make it difficult to discern how hundreds of billions in federal money will be parceled out.
"'No earmarks' isn't a game-ender," said Peter Buffa, former mayor of Costa Mesa, Calif. "It just means there's a different way of going about making sure the funding is there."
"It won't be in legislative language that overtly sets aside money for them. That's the infamous practice known as earmarking, which Obama and Democratic congressional leaders have agreed to nix for the massive stimulus package, expected to come up for a House vote this week.
"Instead, the money will be doled out according to arcane formulas spelled out in the bill and in some cases based on the decisions of Obama administration officials, governors and state and local agencies that will choose the projects."
Government Inc. would like to highlight any stimulus tidbits you can draw to our attention. All ideas welcome.
AP: Lobbyists Get Around Obama's Earmark Ban
Associated Press writer Julie Hirschfeld Davis wrote an interesting story about something that feels almost inevitable.
"President Barack Obama's ban on earmarks in the $825 billion economic stimulus bill doesn't mean interest groups, lobbyists and lawmakers won't be able to funnel money to pet projects," she wrote.
"They're just working around it -- and perhaps inadvertently making the process more secretive."
Even a quick read of the massive House stimulus bill suggests that influence -- naturally, some of you in the know will say -- will play a role in how a lot of the money is handed out.
Here's what the AP story had to say:
"The result, as The Associated Press learned in interviews with more than a dozen lawmakers, lobbyists and state and local officials, is a shadowy lobbying effort that may make it difficult to discern how hundreds of billions in federal money will be parceled out.
"'No earmarks' isn't a game-ender," said Peter Buffa, former mayor of Costa Mesa, Calif. "It just means there's a different way of going about making sure the funding is there."
"It won't be in legislative language that overtly sets aside money for them. That's the infamous practice known as earmarking, which Obama and Democratic congressional leaders have agreed to nix for the massive stimulus package, expected to come up for a House vote this week.
"Instead, the money will be doled out according to arcane formulas spelled out in the bill and in some cases based on the decisions of Obama administration officials, governors and state and local agencies that will choose the projects."
Government Inc. would like to highlight any stimulus tidbits you can draw to our attention. All ideas welcome.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Obama's Promise to Planned Parenthood
Take a look at this, especially at 1:32
He's not kidding. He's already taken steps toward it, and if we don't act now, we're in serious trouble. Sign the Fight FOCA petition (click on the link to the right)
He's not kidding. He's already taken steps toward it, and if we don't act now, we're in serious trouble. Sign the Fight FOCA petition (click on the link to the right)
Pastor Luke Robinson
Pastor Luke Robinson gave a stirring speech at this year's March for Life, just two days after Obama's inauguration. Watch and be wowed!
Obama's Abortion Agenda
From National Right to Life
OBAMA ABORTION AGENDA LAUNCHED TODAY WITH ORDER PROMOTING ABORTION IN U.S. POPULATION-CONTROL PROGRAM
WASHINGTON – President Obama today signs an order that will put hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into the hands of organizations that aggressively promote abortion as a population-control tool in the developing world.
Obama's order overturns the "Mexico City Policy," under which funds in the U.S. "population assistance" program go only to overseas organizations that pledge not to "perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning."
Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), commented, "This is the first in an anticipated series of attacks on longstanding pro-life policies, as the new administration pushes Obama's sweeping abortion agenda. That agenda includes repeal of the Hyde Amendment, which would result in tax-funded abortion as a birth control method in the U.S., and imposition of sweeping pro-abortion mandates on private employers through health-care reform legislation.
"One effect of Obama's order will be to divert many millions of dollars away from groups that do not promote abortion, and into the hands of those organizations that are the most aggressive in promoting abortion in developing countries. President Obama not long ago told the American people that he would support policies to reduce abortions, but today he is effectively guaranteeing more abortions by funding groups that promote abortion as a method of population control."
Contrary to some misunderstandings, enforcement of the Mexico City Policy did not reduce the amount of money spent on the program, nor will Obama's order increase the amount (which is $461 million in the current fiscal year). Rather, the policy affects what type of groups qualify for grants under the program. "Obama's order will predictably result in a redirection of funds to groups such as the International Planned Parenthood Federation, which are ideologically committed to the doctrine that abortion on demand must be universally available as a birth control method," Johnson said.
Although Obama's order will result in major subsidies for organizations that promote abortion overseas, the direct use of the U.S. funds to perform abortion procedures will remain unlawful under the Helms Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act. "The Helms Amendment can be changed only by an act of Congress, but because the Obama Administration is joined at the hip with the abortion lobby, we will be watching carefully for any evidence that the Administration is failing to enforce the Helms Amendment," Johnson said.
The details of the Mexico City Policy are spelled out in an official handbook issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which is available on request from NRLC (in PDF format). Basically, the policy required grantees to refrain from performing abortions (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest), or lobbying to legalize abortion, or otherwise promoting abortion as a family-planning method. The policy explicitly allowed responding to questions about where abortions may be obtained, in countries in which abortions are legal.
The National Right to Life Committee is the nation's largest pro-life group with affiliates in all 50 states and over 3,000 local chapters nationwide. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide.
OBAMA ABORTION AGENDA LAUNCHED TODAY WITH ORDER PROMOTING ABORTION IN U.S. POPULATION-CONTROL PROGRAM
WASHINGTON – President Obama today signs an order that will put hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into the hands of organizations that aggressively promote abortion as a population-control tool in the developing world.
Obama's order overturns the "Mexico City Policy," under which funds in the U.S. "population assistance" program go only to overseas organizations that pledge not to "perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning."
Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), commented, "This is the first in an anticipated series of attacks on longstanding pro-life policies, as the new administration pushes Obama's sweeping abortion agenda. That agenda includes repeal of the Hyde Amendment, which would result in tax-funded abortion as a birth control method in the U.S., and imposition of sweeping pro-abortion mandates on private employers through health-care reform legislation.
"One effect of Obama's order will be to divert many millions of dollars away from groups that do not promote abortion, and into the hands of those organizations that are the most aggressive in promoting abortion in developing countries. President Obama not long ago told the American people that he would support policies to reduce abortions, but today he is effectively guaranteeing more abortions by funding groups that promote abortion as a method of population control."
Contrary to some misunderstandings, enforcement of the Mexico City Policy did not reduce the amount of money spent on the program, nor will Obama's order increase the amount (which is $461 million in the current fiscal year). Rather, the policy affects what type of groups qualify for grants under the program. "Obama's order will predictably result in a redirection of funds to groups such as the International Planned Parenthood Federation, which are ideologically committed to the doctrine that abortion on demand must be universally available as a birth control method," Johnson said.
Although Obama's order will result in major subsidies for organizations that promote abortion overseas, the direct use of the U.S. funds to perform abortion procedures will remain unlawful under the Helms Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act. "The Helms Amendment can be changed only by an act of Congress, but because the Obama Administration is joined at the hip with the abortion lobby, we will be watching carefully for any evidence that the Administration is failing to enforce the Helms Amendment," Johnson said.
The details of the Mexico City Policy are spelled out in an official handbook issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which is available on request from NRLC (in PDF format). Basically, the policy required grantees to refrain from performing abortions (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest), or lobbying to legalize abortion, or otherwise promoting abortion as a family-planning method. The policy explicitly allowed responding to questions about where abortions may be obtained, in countries in which abortions are legal.
The National Right to Life Committee is the nation's largest pro-life group with affiliates in all 50 states and over 3,000 local chapters nationwide. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Save the Economy! Use the Pill!
OK, is Pelosi on crack or something? Did someone spike her Kool-Aid?
According to Pelosi: Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi on birth-control funding as part of the $825 billion stimulus package: "Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those - one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government."
Source: US News and World Report
According to Pelosi: Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi on birth-control funding as part of the $825 billion stimulus package: "Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those - one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government."
Source: US News and World Report
Let us not forget this comment...
If you were in any doubt about his feelings about human life, here it is from his own mouth...
Go figure...
Go figure...
Vatican Blasts Obama
The Vatican blasted "arrogant" Obama for signing legislation to fund international abortions this week.
The Times of India reported:
ROME: A senior Vatican official on Saturday attacked US President Barack Obama for "arrogance" for overturning a ban on state funding for family-planning groups that carry out or facilitate abortions overseas.
It is "the arrogance of someone who believes they are right, in signing a decree which will open the door to abortion and thus to the destruction of human life," Archbishop Rino Fisichella was quoted as saying by the Corriere della Sera daily.
Fisichella is president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, one of a number of so-called pontifical academies which are formed by or under the direction of the Holy See.
"What is important is to know how to listen... without locking oneself into ideological visions with the arrogance of a person who, having the power, thinks they can decide on life and death," he added.
Obama signed the executive order cancelling the eight-year-old restrictions on Friday, the third full day of his presidency.
"If this is one of the first acts of President Obama, with all due respect, it seems to me that the path towards disappointment will have been very short," Fisichella said.
"I do not believe that those who voted for him took into consideration ethical themes, which were astutely left aside during the election debate. The majority of the American population does not take the same position as the president and his team," he added.
ROME: A senior Vatican official on Saturday attacked US President Barack Obama for "arrogance" for overturning a ban on state funding for family-planning groups that carry out or facilitate abortions overseas.
It is "the arrogance of someone who believes they are right, in signing a decree which will open the door to abortion and thus to the destruction of human life," Archbishop Rino Fisichella was quoted as saying by the Corriere della Sera daily.
Fisichella is president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, one of a number of so-called pontifical academies which are formed by or under the direction of the Holy See.
"What is important is to know how to listen... without locking oneself into ideological visions with the arrogance of a person who, having the power, thinks they can decide on life and death," he added.
Obama signed the executive order cancelling the eight-year-old restrictions on Friday, the third full day of his presidency.
"If this is one of the first acts of President Obama, with all due respect, it seems to me that the path towards disappointment will have been very short," Fisichella said.
"I do not believe that those who voted for him took into consideration ethical themes, which were astutely left aside during the election debate. The majority of the American population does not take the same position as the president and his team," he added.
Repealing the Defense of Marriage Act?
Obama White House Calls for Repealing Defense of Marriage Act
(CNSNews.com) – President Barack H. Obama is poised to be the most pro-homosexual chief executive in history. Unveiling his agenda Tuesday on the newly refurbished version of the White House Web site, Obama called for the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act as well as the extension of more than 1,000 federal marriage benefits and of adoption rights to homosexual couples. The new administration laid out its plans on the Web site at 12:01 p.m. EST, during Obama’s swearing-in ceremony
(CNSNews.com) – President Barack H. Obama is poised to be the most pro-homosexual chief executive in history. Unveiling his agenda Tuesday on the newly refurbished version of the White House Web site, Obama called for the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act as well as the extension of more than 1,000 federal marriage benefits and of adoption rights to homosexual couples. The new administration laid out its plans on the Web site at 12:01 p.m. EST, during Obama’s swearing-in ceremony
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
Please take a moment to sign the Fight FOCA petition, which will be sent to the White House. It only takes a minute, and it's important to let the President know what the people think!
Click HERE
Obama's Abortion and Gay Agenda
From the American Family Association Online
Supporting Stem Cell Research: President Obama and Vice President Biden believe that we owe it to the American public to explore the potential of stem cells to treat the millions of people suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases. Obama is a co-sponsor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, which will allow research of human embryonic stem cells derived from embryos donated (with consent) from in vitro fertilization clinics. These embryos must be deemed in excess and created based solely for the purpose of fertility treatment.
Preventing Unintended Pregnancy: President Obama was an original co-sponsor of legislation to expand access to contraception, health information, and preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. Introduced in January 2007, the Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.
Support for the (Homosexual Community)
"While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect."
-- Barack Obama, June 1, 2007
Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. President Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to include violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical disability. As a state senator, President Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.
Fight Workplace Discrimination: President Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees' domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. The President also sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: President Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.
Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: President Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples.
Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell: President Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. The President will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.
Expand Adoption Rights: President Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.
Promote AIDS Prevention: In the first year of his presidency, President Obama will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. The President will support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system. The President also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. President Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma -- too often tied to homophobia -- that continues to surround HIV/AIDS.
Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS: In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. President Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.
One of first moves pushes social issues to the top
Supporting Stem Cell Research: President Obama and Vice President Biden believe that we owe it to the American public to explore the potential of stem cells to treat the millions of people suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases. Obama is a co-sponsor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, which will allow research of human embryonic stem cells derived from embryos donated (with consent) from in vitro fertilization clinics. These embryos must be deemed in excess and created based solely for the purpose of fertility treatment.
Reproductive Choice (Abortion)
Supports a Woman's Right to Choose: President Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority in his Adminstration. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case.
Supports a Woman's Right to Choose: President Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority in his Adminstration. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case.
Preventing Unintended Pregnancy: President Obama was an original co-sponsor of legislation to expand access to contraception, health information, and preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. Introduced in January 2007, the Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.
Support for the (Homosexual Community)
"While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect."
-- Barack Obama, June 1, 2007
Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. President Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to include violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical disability. As a state senator, President Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.
Fight Workplace Discrimination: President Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees' domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. The President also sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: President Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.
Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: President Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples.
Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell: President Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. The President will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.
Expand Adoption Rights: President Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.
Promote AIDS Prevention: In the first year of his presidency, President Obama will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. The President will support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system. The President also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. President Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma -- too often tied to homophobia -- that continues to surround HIV/AIDS.
Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS: In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. President Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.
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