In this post-September 11th
world, we must continue to protect, defend, and strengthen the United States
in those areas where we may be vulnerable to terrorist attack. Now is the time
to invest in our country to make it strong. That means a commitment to keep our
local police and fire teams well-funded to meet today's needs. It means smart
investments in health care and Social Security to keep our economy strong. And
it means rethinking our national energy policy to take advantage of new
technology and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
I supported Congress' successful efforts in the past few years
to pass legislation to strengthen airport security and fight terrorism. I will
continue to work to protect the people of Illinois and the nation from terrorist
attacks, by improving the safety of our food supply, implementing the aviation
security bill, protecting critical infrastructure and improving the integrity
of drivers licenses as accurate identification.
We need to work to strengthen the economy and create jobs
without jeopardizing our nation's long-term budget discipline by passing tax
cuts that address the real needs of families as they struggle with college
tuition, health insurance and child care. Transportation is a crucial component
of local and national economic development, and I will continue to work to
expand and make safer our Chicago-area aviation capacity and make other
improvements to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
We also must not forget other important domestic priorities. I
will continue to work for stronger public education to prepare students for
21st century jobs, higher quality Medicare with prescription drug coverage for
seniors, expanded medical research, new programs to fight childhood asthma and
other public health concerns, better environmental protections, a more rational
energy policy that will put an end to today's wild swings in energy prices and
markets and sound pension protections with rational oversight of corporate
accounting.
Please follow the links on the right for more detailed explanations of my stands on specific issues.
