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A COMMON-SENSE PLATFORM
composed by Friends for Democracy:

DISENGAGEMENT - Get the US out of Iraq now and allow the UN to solve international conflicts.

PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS - Get lobbyists and big money interests out of Washington now. Influence in Washington should not be bought.

HEALTH INSURANCE - Cut administrative costs by adopting universal national health insurance. Universal national health insurance is cheaper and coverage is better.

EDUCATION - Promote quality education for all with an emphasis on early education. Take the emphasis off testing. Reduce the number of students per teacher and increase financial aid for higher education.

NATIONAL SECURITY - Insist on intelligent intelligence. The integrity of the intelligence community must be protected from coercion.

ENERGY - Convert to clean alternative energy in order to reduce our dependence on oil.

SOCIAL SECURITY - Take Social Security out of the general budget and raise the income cap for Social Security taxes.

DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION - Support civil liberties by repealing the Patriot Act and insist on separation of church and state.

THE ECONOMY - Repeal the tax breaks for the rich. Raise the minimum wage to $7.50 per hour, at least. Reduce taxes for the lower and middle-income people.

NATIONAL DEFENSE & FOREIGN POLICY - Re-direct U. S. strategy against terrorism by seeking alliances with other nations. Restore veterans' benefits.

THE ENVIRONMENT - Preserve our land, air, and water quality and reverse global warming. Protect water accessibility and wildlife.