Keith Ellison On the Issues

The First Muslim Congressman in USA History

http://www.mana-net.org/pages.php?ID=activism&ID2=&NUM=50

Iraq

I am calling for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. I opposed the war before it began; I was against this war once it started and I am the only candidate calling for an immediate withdrawal of troops.
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Healthcare

It is time for universal single payer health care in the United States. Right now 46 million Americans do not have health insurance, and 8.4 million of them are children. Right now millions of seniors are unable to keep up with their skyrocketing drug costs. Right now American businesses are struggling under the weight of health care costs and losing their competitive edge in the global market. This situation should be unacceptable to every reflective American citizen.
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The Environment

The environment needs to be a lens through which we view nearly every policy issue. I will not support any effort that will provide Wall Street investors with a short term financial gain at the cost of long term ecological degradation. We need to strive for energy independence through increased use of renewable energy. It is not too late to reverse the trend of global warming.
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Education

Because an educated, informed citizenry is the cornerstone of a healthy and vibrant democracy, I believe that funding for education is the greatest single measure of our commitment to reinvest in our society. The development of this citizenry begins with nurturing our children by promoting a strong and comprehensive public education policy.
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Immigration

The immigrant experience is the essence to who we are as a nation. Immigrants are, and always have been, at the center of our nation's democratic experiment. Through hard work, small business development and an entrepreneurial spirit, they contribute to the economic growth and revitalization of our state and our nation.
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GLBT Issues

Would a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage help us to welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, heal the sick, or visit those in prison?
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Crime and Safety

I have been to far too many funerals of young people to be anything but a strong supporter of law enforcement, but I also believe it must be balanced by other factors. Community involvement, respect for individual rights, and programs that attack the root causes of crime are essential to fixing the problem. This is why I do not believe that simplistic axioms like "tough on crime" and "war on drugs" are viable solutions to the problem. The reality is much more complex, the pain that much deeper, and the solutions that much more difficult. This is why I have endeavored to be smart on crime, not merely "tough on crime." It is the only way to effectively combat the crisis facing our communities.
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Reproductive Rights and Choice

I am pro choice. I am in favor of comprehensive sex education, which includes information about abstinence, but goes far beyond that. I am against legislation that would impose a waiting period on women who seek a safe and legal abortion, and I am against legislation that would restrict the information that a physician can share with a patient regarding reproductive choices.
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Trade and Globalization

So called "free trade" deals such as NAFTA and CAFTA have encouraged the movement of manufacturing and agricultural jobs out of Minnesota to be done under sweatshop conditions in other countries. A 2003 report by the Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition reported that at least a quarter, and likely one third, of the net 45,000 manufacturing jobs that Minnesota lost from 2001 to 2003 were directly attributable to trade deals such as NAFTA that do not protect workers rights or environmental standards, and thus promote the outsourcing of jobs.
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Israel and the Middle East

I believe that peace throughout the world should be the guiding principle of the United States. To this end working towards a lasting peace in the Middle East should be one of the United States' most focused goals. Peace is necessary for both Israeli and Palestinian people, and I wholeheartedly support peace movements in Israel and throughout the region.
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Transit

The centrality of transportation to our community cannot be overstated. Without a strong transportation infrastructure our economy, our national security, and our environment all suffer. We need fluid and viable transportation options to attract new workers to our community, as well as get current workers to employment opportunities. We need open routes to get emergency vehicles to where they are needed. We need energy conservative transportation to sustain our public and environmental health.
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