http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071122/OPINION01/711220352/1036/OpinionDodd: Restore our Constitution, U.S. standing in world
By U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd • SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER • November 22, 2007
For nearly two decades, American politics has been marked by partisan bickering and bitter divisiveness. Instead of leadership, experience, and results, we've had fighting - and the American people are losing. Now, with America mired in a civil war in Iraq, an economy that's leaving our middle class behind, a health-care system that remains unaffordable for too many and an environment on the brink of disaster, it's time for serious leadership that gets results for real change.
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In 2008, we need a president who understands that producing real change for families takes principled leadership that speaks with clarity and brings people together to get the job done.
We need a president who knows how to do more than just pick fights. We need a president who knows how to win them for our families.
That is what I have done for my entire career. I have stood strong for Democratic principles, brought people together and turned those Democratic principles into national policies.
From authoring the Family and Medical Leave Act - the most significant advance in health-care policy since Medicare - to helping settle conflicts in Northern Ireland and Latin America, I have taken on the biggest challenges with leadership that delivers results.
And delivering results is exactly what I will do as president.
It starts with restoring America's security and standing in the world by ending the war in Iraq. It's not enough to wait until 2009 - that's why I've been at the front of the fight to set a firm deadline and end the funding for this failed policy. But if President Bush or this Congress does not end this war, then as the next president, I will immediately begin redeploying our troops safely and securely and finish the job within eight to 10 months. I will also strengthen our security with a return to diplomacy and engagement with the world.
Restoring our security and standing in the world also means restoring our adherence to the rule of law - so in my first hour I will restore our Constitution. The Constitution doesn't belong to one political party or candidate - it belongs to the American people.
I know Americans can't wait any longer for real results on health care. From the moment I am elected, I will bring together every stakeholder - workers, families, small businesses, Democrats and Republicans alike - and we will start the work of providing universal, affordable, quality health care to every American within four years.
I will bring that same leadership to the issue of global warming, with the boldest plan of any candidate to cut carbon emissions and invest in renewable energy. We can create a future where America relies not on the Middle East for our energy, but on the American Midwest and other regions - where our Heartland communities aren't left behind by our economy, but are the engine driving it.
With leadership that brings us together, we can once again build a sense of community. I will ask every American to serve their country - just as President Kennedy asked of me when I joined the Peace Corps and the military four decades ago. It shouldn't take a national crisis for America to come together with national purpose, and as president, I will ask all of us to share in the responsibility of tackling our nation's challenges.
In January, Iowans can send a message to America that, after 15 years of bitter divisiveness, it is time for a president with the leadership, experience and proven record to win these fights for the American people.
I will be the president who gets results for real change.
Sen. CHRIS DODD of Connecticut is seeking the Democratic nomination for president.
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