advisors to obama

the obama campaign is asking for participation in defining the issues. here's my quickly put-together list:

economy: we have a societal interest and obligation not to let the bottom drop out, i.e., we need to ensure that those who are most vulnerable have real choices. this includes those who have made bad choices (and gotten in trouble) in the past but are now wanting to work hard and build a decent life. jobs are not the answer in all cases -- we need a focus on entrepreneurship. many who will never climb a corp ladder can make a good living legally being self-employed, but this requires some training and support. our economy will be stronger when more people work for themselves and fewer work for walmart.

troops: we need leaders who will not waste the lives and service of our troops. we need to support them when they return by providing health care (including mental health care) for service-related problems. and other benefits -- we need to keep our promises to them. we need to honor them, even if the war was wrong (which it was). we need to honor them with something other than empty words.

foreign relations: we need leaders who understand the value of diplomacy and can use something other than threats and violence. treating others with respect is about who we are, not based on who the others are, and can be surprisingly effective.

criminal justice: we are in a dangerous time, when there is such a degree of unfairness that large segments (often non-white) are in an enemy relationship with the police, and both sides contribute. this is unsustainable. the mafia arose because of a lack of trust in govt. gangs arise for the same reason. justice needs to be both fair and perceived as fair.

guantanamo: we need to close gitmo now. we need legislation which eliminates the possibility of this sort of thing happening again. we need to abide by international conventions. we need to lead in this area. we need to do the right thing because of who *we* are.

climate/environment/energy: we need to recognize that the days of cheap gasoline are over. we need to rid ourselves of the addiction and move toward sustainable energy policy. in the meantime we need to ensure that the largest share of the burden doesn't fall on those least able to afford it. we need to take climate and environment into the calculations of cost.

we need to bring back a respect for science, math & other courses of study. we are losing our edge.

we need leaders who will encourage dialog not division. we need to remember how to listen to each other. debate is important.