"Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, 'It can't be done.'" Former First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt
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My promise to you as your Congressperson:
Whatever decisions I make In Congress, I will always do so with the thoughts of what is, and will be, in the best interests and well being of your children, and for all future generations.
The Iraq War and Military Service
I would not have voted for the Iraq War. The justification to fight the war was not evident five years ago. Now, that we are in Iraq, I believe the best plan for the United States is a planned phased removal from Iraq over a period of five years, with the exception of retaining those personnel needed to man a military base in Iraq. The plan for transition should be jointly made in unison with Iraqi leadership, the United States, and all nations which were and are involved in the Iraq conflict. This issue is top priority in the nation.
I feel that my education, in particular, my Masters Degree in Urban Affairs, from Va. Tech, and my government experience, with Fairfax County government, have provided me with a wealth of knowledge, an understanding of the importance of planned phased developments, cost benefit analysis and feasibility studies in government decision making. In Congress, I will work hard to bring this issue to a resolution. When we hear these numbers, over 4,000 of our soldiers have died, and over 29,000 soldiers have returned home wounded, this resolution becomes more imperative and urgent.
My heart goes out to all mothers and fathers whom have suffered the loss of a child, or a child who has returned home with a disability or illness. I applaud those who have the courage to volunteer to fight in a war they feel justified to fight.
I, myself, during the Vietnam War, volunteered for service, after returning home from a trip to Europe with my father. He fought during World War II and I saw firsthand the places he fought. I was so swept up in the moment that I went to the local Air Force recruiter to join the fight, with the thoughts of becoming a pilot. I was denied entry. My dream to fly over Viet Nam did not become a reality. Today, all that I can say is that someone from “above” was protecting me from harms way.
For all of you, our veterans, who have returned home with illnesses, diseases, and maimed for life, we have failed as a Nation to provide you with the proper medical assistance. For this, I am so sorry. Many of you are homeless and unemployed. We should do all we can to provide you with the means to move forward with your lives. Hence: we need new programs of entitlements, providing for: quality medical assistance, more home ownership opportunities, assisted housing opportunities for those whom are homeless, and assisting all veterans with employment opportunities.
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Education
I am a staunch believer in quality education and education for all. The program, No Child Left Behind, has failed. The program has invited failure within the school system. As a result, many teachers are mentally and physically exhausted and have selected to leave the teaching profession. Every teacher should be encouraged to teach creatively, and to expound on subject areas without feeling confined to a set course outline.
Children must be challenged, to think and to become more creative in their own course studies as well. Creativity and a spirit of concern for each child should be evident.
Middle School and High School program curriculums should include more courses and languages that are conducive to the current world events, as that which is applicable to the countries of Iraq, Israel, and China. It is also imperative that we provide more quality math and science courses for our students, and to encourage students to further their education to become creative teachers and professors in those fields of study.
At the other end of the spectrum, the drop out rate is on the climb in the nation. We must come together as a nation to encourage students to believe in themselves, to stay in school, to introduce them to the day to day skills of reality, as knowing how to manage money, to purchase a home, to seek employment, and how to save money.
We must give them a sense of a better tomorrow, full of hope and promise.
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Life: Medicine and Medical Research
Life is precious. I know what it is to be so excited with the expectations of a child, and then to be disappointed. I suffered a miscarriage with my first child. Our law permits abortions. I personally feel that should a woman decide to abort her child, she should only do so at the first indication of pregnancy.
Every American should be entitled to a long and productive life and to affordable medical assistance. Health care has been a constant topic of conversation. A nationwide health care system should be examined as a viable option. All citizens should be entitled to health insurance which is offered to the President and to the Congress. In addition, there should be an affordable cap on how much a patient pays out of pocket per month per doctor’s visit, and a cap on the cost of medicine. It is a travesty that too many Americans today cannot receive proper medical assistance, nor purchase medicine they need. We must do all we can to help those in need. This also includes helping the elderly by ending the taxation on social security checks.
I am deeply concerned about the growing illnesses and diseases in this country and in the world. There is a need for a joint effort by the United States and other nations to work in unison to combat illnesses and diseases. Too many lives are still being lost due to cancer and heart disease. My own parents lost their lives to these diseases. This issue, allocating monies toward more medical research, should be one of the top priorities of the President and Congress.
As your Congresswoman, I will propose a bill with the following elements:
That the President of the United States and Congress to take
the initiative, to bring together the brightest minds in science, medicine,
and in technology, at one facility, to fine answers to fuel alternatives and to discovering
fuel enhancements, as in the increase of mileage per drop of gas.
This research should also include medical cures to fight illnesses and diseases.
This to be similar to the format of the Albert Einstein-President Franklin Roosevelt
design of the Manhattan Project. I will propose that such a facility to be placed
in our district, in a location which will enhance employment opportunities.
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Economy
The answer to the job market is threefold: there is a need for more creativity in the creation of new jobs; there is a need to keep all current jobs in the United States; and, there is a need to find a means to return jobs back to the United States that have been outsourced to other countries. Job growth is paramount to the survival of this nation and the well being of our families. This must be a top priority with the President and Congress.
My entire life, I have been sensitive to the needs of individuals for housing. My father was a builder and rented houses to the less fortunate. I have worked as a Real Estate Broker, and I currently own my own real estate company, as well as worked in the past with low income households, as a Housing Administrator in Redevelopment and Housing Authorities. In effect, this is what I see: There is a need for more affordable housing. More resolutions are needed to prevent mortgage fraud and housing losses. Every family in America should have the opportunity for home ownership, at a well defined mortgage most fitting to the affordability of the family. Stiff fines should be levied against those mortgage lenders who originate loans to home buyers under false pretenses.
Gasoline prices and heating bills have climbed to record heights. No mega company, as Exxon, should reap great benefits at the expense of the citizens. Such mega companies should allocate the profits toward the creation of new alternative fuel systems.
Our roadway and bridge systems are in peril as well, and many of these systems are not deemed safe for travel. The President and Congress should examine the policies of President Franklin Roosevelt’s national infrastructure development. I encourage states, with the federal government assistance, to consider investing in the purchase of or in the development of such enterprises as rock quarries. This will provide the fundamental resource for roadway and bridge construction. This will offset, in the long run, upfront high expenditures. This endeavor, to improve our infrastructure, will also create new employment opportunities, in engineering, planning, accounting, construction, and office personnel. Putting Americans back to work, who have lost their jobs, or who are seeking employment, should be our top priority.
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IRS and Immigration
There is a need to revamp the IRS and the filing of taxes. I feel that this nation is submerged in too much paperwork. Simplicity is the answer. I recommend a simplified tax form computed on a set percentage based on ones income. In time, the Fair Tax may be a viable option. These additional monies should be allocated towards the funding of the Social Security System and a nationwide health care system.
With the revamping of the IRS, many of the employees should be transferred to Immigration. There should be an accounting of everyone in this country. Every immigrant, even those classified as illegal immigrants, should pay taxes as all citizens do.
We must do all we can to secure our borders and this country from further entry of illegal immigrants.
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Global Warming and Agriculture
The future of this nation is in peril due to war and to global neglect. This nation, and the world nations, should take greater strides to prevent the devastation of the earth as we have known it. The President and Congress should take the lead to encourage the creation of a universal organization, to monitor the pollutants in this world, and to find solutions, for the well being of our children and our grandchildren.
My family’s heritage is in the agriculture community. I can only imagine what my ancestors saw when they entered the Shenandoah Valley during the 1700’s. Take a moment to imagine this: land so abundant to be farmed for miles, sparkling streams and rivers, and fresh air. Times have changed and we can thank progress for making it happen. So, today, I am very sensitive to the needs of farmers for farm land protection and the hardships being faced by farmers in today’s economy. I saw this clearly when I was a County Planner with Rockingham County. But, having said that, I am also aware of the need for greater protection, from different forms of pollution, and water drainage of agriculture produce into waterways. I feel that more measures should be taken to assure families of quality life and the preservation of the nation’s finest resources, including that of pure drinking water, air quality and farm land protection. This is of high priority for this District and for the Nation as a whole.
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Foreign Policy and National Debt
The United States should reach out to the nations in the world to work in unison. The past seven years have tarnished the image of the United States world wide. There is a need for greater efforts on the part of the next President and the Congress to move forward to open discussions with world leaders, peace and negotiations in mind, before the thoughts of war.
The debt continues to rise. No one seems to have any solutions. A balance budget is difficult to visualize, with a War, with unknown expenditures. Raising taxes is not an option. Inviting people to move into this nation, creating new technology, encouraging people to start businesses, inviting overseas businesses to relocate to this country, and providing incentives to encourage people to move their bank accounts back to this country, are some viable options to paying off the national debt.
We need more conservative, sound monetary fiscal control of our finances.
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[Click Here for Issues in Brief]
Vote for Janice Lee Allen, Ph.D.
for U. S. Congress --- 2008!
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