Pennsylvania Issues

[byronm]

I'm asking DU's in PA to help build a good list of issues and talking points for PA and the 2006 senate and congressional seats coming up.

Core issues:

Elderly - Health Care, Medicare, *Social Security*, Public Transportation, Community Services and in PA - Heritage.

Families - Education, Education, Education - School taxes and estate tax relief (property taxes). Gambling (slots). Healthcare, Jobs

Youth - Education, Schools, Community Projects, Community involvement, Health

I'm just breaking it down into the basics to compare against the republican talking points so anything you may add would be greatly appreciated.

Framing the Debate:

Social Security as an Insurance policy for being a working and respected individual of our great society. Benefits are paid upon your working contribution to the "system" not as a welfare benefit.

No child left behind - lost its purpose. In PA no child left behind is attributed to giving parents the choice of what is best for there kids. Public schools should be adamantly defended as being an education for the population as a whole and not a tool for secularized education based upon specific family beliefs. A "well rounded education" is the only education that should be funded through the public's tax dollars and we shouldn't confuse "federal bureaucracy" with the means by which school districts are funded, managed and thrive. Schools are based off miniature democracies that represent the districts within. Don't allow republicans to frame "No Child Left Behind" as an excuse for the federal government to only fund those schools by which families have chosen to support under the guise that it is less "government bureaucracy". Education is for all, and not only for those that can afford or have the means to choose.

Pro-Choice is a fundamental right of women. Small Government ideology shouldn't include legislation on personal and religious values. To protect pregnant women and innocent unborn children the rights of pregnant women and the laws protecting them should be enhanced and protection should be afforded to the mother’s body and not as individual rights to the unborn child within. Pro Choice does not however mean the wide acceptance of abortion as a means to solve problems with social issues. Education should include awareness of options, ramifications and the choices mothers have. Government can’t decide the sanctity of that of which is within the body of a women whom has her own rights however government and religion can do more to respect the rights of women, the choices they bare and the values they choose to live by.

Pro-Life isn't anti-abortion. Pro-Life is the spread of freedom, the spread of wealth, the spread of healthcare and the end of capital punishment and the protest of war. You can be Pro Choice and Pro Life. Any reference to "Gray area" is simply a misunderstanding of the rights of citizens and not an excuse to legislate those rights out because of religious values. To have compassion, you must have an understanding. Compassion for life does not end when a child is borne.

[donachiel]

1. Northeastern PA - Williamsport

I don't know about any of you other Pennsylvanians but I don't remember it being so bad when I was growing up. We have 2 daughters, 12 & 13 and have already raised another who is 25, married and living in State College. In my opinion, it's not just this state but across the country. Health care is obviously just for the rich. My husband and I live very modestly but are earning just under 3 figures put together. He has Blue Cross/Blue Shield through work but anymore, so much is not paid for. Each year, there is the $1500 deductible that we need to meet. Then, on top of that, they only pay 80%. All too often, even with my heart condition, I hate to go to the doctor's because of the costs for tests that are only partially covered by the insurance. Just last month, I went for my physical and the blood work/mammogram etc... left us with almost a $500 bill to the respective hospital. Last summer, my daughter broke her finger playing softball. I didn't take her to the emergency room because of the costs not covered by the insurance. I don't mean to complain after all, we are lucky to have insurance (we went 8 months with none 2 years ago) but it just seems ridiculous that we live in what is supposed to be such a great country but our citizens have to struggle to stay healthy.

With this darn warn in Iraq, our heating bills are outrageous as well. Just this week, we filled up and the bill was just under $900. When I saw the bill, I couldn't help but wonder what it would have been had we not gone to war. Just about every night, I read or hear of someone dying trying to stay warm inexpensively because they cannot afford to heat their home.

Just makes me wonder what this country has become. :(