A New Direction
For Maine and America
“Too often we get caught up in strategic voting and campaign tactics – and we forget what is most important: that we are best served by people who are honest and decent – and who are qualified to discuss and advance the issues that are important to each of us.” – Sen. Beth Edmonds D-Freeport - Brennan for Congress Campaign Chair
Our best days as a country, and as a party, have been when our leaders took bold steps and challenged the status quo. It is how we have always overcome our biggest problems.That legacy also reminds us that our party has lost its way. Too often we have responded to the problems of everyday Americans with timidity and political expediency. Too often we have let the forces of the status quo overcome the calls for action.
I am running for Congress because I believe we can solve our biggest problems – but only if we embrace the philosophy captured by US Senator Paul Wellstone’s command to “Do Right by People.” That means we need to cast aside the calculations and just simply do what we think is right based on how we can help people.
I believe this process must begin with showing leadership on good ideas. If all we do is send Democrats to Washington who will “vote the right way,” who will show them which way is right? This election is about who will provide the leadership to move us forward into the future.
Over the next few months, I will be discussing in depth the ideas I believe will best address our pressing needs. I hope you will take time to read these proposals – and please contact the campaign if you would like to discuss anything further or get involved in this effort. – Michael Brennan
Article Index
. Education
. Health and Family Well-Being
. Iraq & Foreign Policy
. Economics
. Environment
. Civil Rights
Education
Education is a lifelong endeavor. We must ensure that every American – from young children to senior citizens – has an opportunity to learn. In Congress I will propose and work for:
- A National College Scholarship Program, modeled after Georgia’s program, which will pay the tuition of students who attend public universities or colleges in their state.
- A National School Construction Program that will provide matching funds to states to renovate or build new facilities that will meet the needs of students in the 21st century.
- Full funding of the Federal Government’s Special Education obligation in order to ensure that children with special needs receive equal educational opportunity.
- Repeal No Child Left Behind and replace it with legislation that focuses on acquisition of knowledge and the development of critical thinking skills instead of test-taking, as well as supporting the career development of teachers.
- Universal access to early childhood education and a senior college in every state.
- A National School Technology Program to equip schools with the most advanced learning technologies.
Health and Family Well-Being
Everybody has a right to affordable, quality health care. In Congress I will propose and work for:
- A National Health Insurance Plan that will cover every citizen with an expanded and enhanced Medicare program. This single-payer system will include mental health and substance abuse parity, as well as long-term care.
- Rewriting Medicare Part D to allow for negotiating drug prices to lower costs, and using the savings to eliminate the “doughnut hole” in coverage.
- Providing more funding for foster care services through Title IV-E so that every child in foster care will have a family.
Iraq and Foreign Policy.
We must change America’s role in the world by promoting diplomacy and economic justice, rather than conflict and military intervention. In Congress I will propose and work for:
- The immediate end of the combat phase in Iraq by withdrawing all American soldiers.
- Working with the United Nations and Iraq’s neighbors to rebuild the country.
- Complete medical care for returning veterans and their families.
- A foreign policy doctrine that relies on diplomacy to protect and promote human rights and reduce nuclear weapons.
- A ten percent reduction in defense spending to support investment in non-military economic development.
Economic Security, Affordable Housing, and Reducing Poverty.
Virtually every decision made in Washington over the last 8 years has eroded the economic well-being of working and middle class people in Maine and in the country. Income disparity has increased, poverty has grown and the middle class is becoming the missing class - all while corporate America has prospered. In Congress I will propose and work for:
- A national campaign to cut poverty by half over the next five years by increasing the earned income tax credit, “making work pay” and increasing high school graduation rates. This campaign would be the first step in a larger campaign to end poverty in America.
- Workers’ rights to organize and oppose “free trade” deals that allow good paying American jobs to leave the country.
- Letting the Bush tax cuts expire in 2010 and passing new tax reform focused on reducing the share of taxes paid by middle and working class people.
- Establishing a National Housing Trust Fund to finance the development of affordable housing.
- The creation of a Financial Products Safety Commission to protect consumers from deceptive credit practices and products
Environment and Climate Change
We must immediately take steps to reverse the impact of global warming. In Congress I will propose and work for:
- Setting a goal of reducing our carbon emissions 80% by 2050 through increased fuel efficiency standards for cars, investing in renewable energy and implementing a cap-and-trade program to control pollution.
- A windfall-profits tax on oil companies to support these investments.
- A national home weatherization and conservation program to promote energy efficiency.
- Development of economic clusters that would help Maine businesses to manufacture renewable energy products such as wind turbines, solar panels, and wood pellets.
- Increased funding for national land conservation programs to complement the Land for Maine’s Future program.
Civil Rights and Discrimination
During the last eight years we have seen an unprecedented assault on basic civil rights and an orchestrated effort to legitimize discrimination. In order to reverse Congressional and Presidential abuses, I will propose and work for:
- Immediate congressional investigations into domestic spying, illegal detentions, intelligence failures, military contractor abuses and torture - including bringing criminal charges if warranted.
- Repealing the Patriot Act and restoring habeas corpus and our traditional prohibitions against torture.
- Opposition to Constitutional Amendments that define marriage and a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.
- Supporting the Freedom of Choice Act, which would clearly establish the right to reproductive choice in federal law.
I will be the first to admit that accomplishing all of these goals right away in Washington may not be realistic. But if you send me to Washington, I will start working on them with my colleagues in order to move Maine and the country forward. From School Lap Tops to Dirigo Health to developing Renewable Energy, I have a record of fashioning bipartisan cooperation around progressive ideas that build our communities. With that approach, we can turn these policy ideas into this country’s new direction. – Michael Brennan
