Issue Position: Repairing Our Image and Respect Around the World

Issue Position

For more than half a century, the United States has been a leader across the world. With a military force almost incomparable and the resources and ability to provide diplomatic relations across all cultures, the US is often considered the only remaining super power. Directly after the terrorist attacks on 9-11, the United States had the sympathy and cooperation of much of the world. Unfortunately poor leadership, a flippant attitude toward diplomacy and years of aggression and arrogance in the White House, has our standing and respect throughout the globe in disrepair.

The US should have a collaborative role in international relations in efforts to solve global problems. We should work closely with organizations such as the United Nations to determine international diplomatic, economic and military strategy. Through President Obama's vision, we must restore our standing throughout the world as constructive and cooperative leaders. Over the past two years, President Obama has made great strides in repairing our image and respect across the world, but much is still left to be done.

Expediting our Withdraw from Iraq

First and foremost, I believe that we must expedite the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. The President has started this project, but it must be completed in a much timelier manner to allow the citizens of Iraq to have control of their own country while preserving the lives of our servicemen and women. Congress must act to bring the troops home and to help the Iraqi people rebuild after nearly a decade of devastating war. We must invest in the infrastructure of both Iraq and Afghanistan if we want to leave those countries strong and safe. The US should continue to support Iraq by building schools, hospitals, and road projects to ensure that Iraq is self-sufficient when we withdraw.

Stopping Genocide Wherever it Might Occur

Our creditability worldwide has been drastically damaged due to our failure to become involved in Darfur after the President himself acknowledged that the atrocities being committed there are genocide. As a Jewish-American, I cannot sit back and watch genocide anywhere in the World after the violence committed during World War II. We made a commitment to stop genocide wherever it occurs and it we have failed to live up to that promise. We must organize an international coalition to stop ethnic cleansing in the Sudan.

Halting Failed Military Projects

We must halt and dismantle the "star wars" program. In tests performed over the past decade, the system has consistently failed to intercept a missile. What the program has achieved to do is weaken diplomatic relations with countries such as Russia. We have turned a shaky ally into a skeptical adversary through our deployment of the missile defense project. The program has proven to be a waste of taxpayer dollars; therefore the project must be abandoned.

Providing Disaster Relief and Support at Home and Throughout the World
After recent disasters such as the hurricane in Haiti, the tsunami in Indonesia, Hurricane Katrina and the recent Gulf oil spill, I propose that military units be created and solely dedicated to disaster relief efforts both at home and abroad. These troops should be put on the ready to deploy anywhere in the world to assist with relief efforts. This would go a long way in restoring our image of a generous partner in the world as well as helping us combat anti-Americanism around the world.

Moving Towards a Nuke-Free World

We must propose a reasonable and sane policy to prevent nuclear proliferation as well as ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. We cannot turn to the rest of the world and demand nonproliferation, if we ourselves do not step up and promise to reduce our arsenal of nuclear weapons. Rather than threaten nations with military action, we should reward nations for disabling, disarming, and dismantling their nuclear arsenals. We should accept nations who follow these policies with open arms and invite them to the table. It is in our best interest to show world leaders the benefits of sitting at the table rather than threaten retaliation.

Ending Poverty Across the Globe

Given the current economic climate, many scoff at the idea of expanding foreign aid programs. I contend that now is the perfect time to expand programs and restore faith in US worldwide. Many countries that were struggling when times were good have seen much of their aid dry up in recent years at a time when they desperately needed such assistance. If the US were to step in, we could assert ourselves as a compassionate friend to many nations and end hunger and many preventable diseases worldwide. I strongly support the President's call to double global poverty reduction funding by 2012 because until we alleviate poverty and create economic opportunities worldwide, there will be instability in the world which threatens our national security and the security of our allies.

Stabilizing the Middle East

I strongly support continued military funding to the State of Israel. Recognizing new threats in the Middle East, including increased terrorist activities from Hamas and Hezbollah and the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, the US has taken action to counter the defense spending disparity between Israel and many of their neighboring nations. As a country that holds many of our same ideals such as a commitment to democracy and human rights, Israel must have the protection and backing of the United States. I will continue to fight for military assistance and foreign aid to be sent to Israel to support international efforts that curb the proliferation of nuclear weapons and fight terrorism.

Fighting for Military Projects and Funding

As a community that is dependent upon strong military funding and support, I will continue to fight to bring projects home that will benefit the people of the Miami Valley. I will fight for common-sense funding for Wright Patterson Air Force Base as well as military and defense contracts that will provide stable jobs and incomes for families here at home. I will fight to make sure that all of our servicemen and women who have fought for this country receive the benefits and retirement that they deserve.

Source