- Iraq The Iraq War is costing Americans $10 billion each month. By implementing my plan to de-authorize the war and withdraw ALL troops, we can start redirecting these funds toward what matters most for Americans: improving education, expanding access to quality health care, and addressing the REAL security threats like the Taliban, nuclear proliferation, and global warming.
- Energy We must “Act Boldly and Act Now” in order to make America a Clean Energy Nation like I made New Mexico a Clean Energy State. Consider this a call to action, for Congress, the energy industry, and the public. I am calling for a new American revolution – an energy and climate revolution.
- Health Care My health care plan uses new ways to expand proven sources of affordable coverage to all Americans. It guarantees that all Americans will have choices of high quality, affordable care by giving every American the choice to keep their current coverage or obtain coverage through an existing, well-established program. My plan can be paid for without raising taxes. When some do not have access to affordable care, all Americans end up paying the price.
- Agriculture Our country requires a vision for rural America and the farm sector that will give American agriculture a new direction, one suited to a new era shaped by the global economy. This vision must include an appreciation of the growing demand for renewable energy sources, an urgent need for conservation, a market with true competition and support for family farmers, and an increased emphasis on health and safety. I have this vision, and the experience to make it a reality.
- AIDS I believe it is time to end this epidemic once and for all, both in the United States and around the world. As President, I will appoint a Blue Ribbon Commission on HIV/AIDS, bringing together multiple stakeholders to develop a National Strategy for HIV/AIDS -- a strategy that ends our country's fragmented, uncoordinated approach to HIV/AIDS and that lays out a comprehensive solution for ending this epidemic once and for all.
- Civil Liberties As Congressman, Ambassador, Secretary and Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson has been a champion of civil rights, equality, freedom and the rule of law. As President, Bill Richardson will continue to fight for and protect the rights and freedoms that make America so great.
- Darfur Over the last four years, more than 2.1 million people have been displaced and now live in camps, and more than 200,000 Darfuris have been slaughtered in the first genocide of this century. The UN has called Darfur the world's worst humanitarian disaster and the US has labeled it genocide -- the second of the last two decades. If history teaches us anything it is that if the US does not take the lead on genocide, no one else will.
- Defense We must end the war in Iraq, and we must do it as quickly and as safely as possible; our presence in Iraq only exacerbates the ongoing civil war and puts more American lives in danger. Bringing our troops out of Iraq, however, will not end the hard work that lies ahead. We must embark upon a major reform of our armed forces -- especially the Army and Marine Corps -- so that these services can better deter, fight, and win the wars of the 21st century.
- Jobs & the Economy As Governor of New Mexico, I have overseen a growing and vibrant economy. Since my election in 2002, we’ve created over 80,000 new jobs -- many of them good paying jobs in high-tech, aerospace, film and other growth industries. We provided tax credits to companies that create jobs paying above the prevailing wage and also gave a tax holiday to start up high tech companies so that America can remain dominant in technology to keep our economy growing. I understand how important it is to achieve universal health coverage and improve our education system to ensure a strong economy and good jobs.
- Education Improving our schools has been central to my work turning around New Mexico. As Governor, I worked hard on behalf of teachers, investing in higher salaries and expanded benefits for those who have given our communities so much.
- Environment Throughout my career in public service, I have been fighting for conservation because I understand the importance of protecting our most valuable natural resources. I have been honored to be recognized as an Environmental Leader of the Year by the National Environmental Trust, the National Wildlife Federation, and Vanity Fair magazine for our work in New Mexico. As President, I will do even more to protect our environment, just like we did in New Mexico.
- Financial Opportunity When Congress passed harsh Bankruptcy 'Reform' in 2005, it left working families, children, and widows to deal with the worst practices of credit card companies and predatory lenders. We need a President who will be on the side of hardworking Americans facing foreclosures and financial disaster, not the financial industry. If quick action is not taken on all of these issues, then the entire American economy risks sinking into a recession based on foreclosures and bad debt.
- First Responders I believe that that we must protect those who protect us. Fire fighters, police officers, and other first responders spend their lives saving Americans and keeping us safe. It is unconscionable, then, that George Bush and the Republicans in Congress have spent the six years since 9/11 ignoring the professional and personal needs of first responders and trying to under-fund and eliminate the very programs that keep us safe. When I am President, that will change.
- Foreign Policy This administration’s lack of realism has led us to a dangerous place. We need to take a different path. A path based on reality, not unilateralist illusions. A path that understands that the gravest dangers that threaten us today do not threaten only us – and that therefore to pursue our national interest and meet these challenges we must work with our friends, our enemies, and everyone in between. This is a path not of hard words, but of hard work. A path of moral strength, not pious judgments. A path of strong diplomacy, backed up by a strong military and strong alliances. This is the path of American leadership.
- Immigration I am committed to enforcing our borders and pushing for immigration reform. We need tough, effective border control and building a fence will not increase security; only more border patrol manpower will. I believe in realistic immigration reform that requires undocumented workers to earn their legal status through paying fines for illegally crossing the border, learning English, paying taxes, and obeying our laws.
- LGBT Governor Bill Richardson has the strongest record of achievement of any Presidential candidate on civil rights issues and support for the LGBT community. He proudly stands for domestic partner rights and against discrimination of any kind. He believes all families deserve our respect no matter their race, creed or sexual orientation.
- Women Issues that affect women and families affect us all. In New Mexico, I helped strengthen families by creating over 80,000 jobs, many of them high-quality, raising the state minimum wage, and working with labor unions on issues that affect working families. We made fighting crimes against women a priority and created a women's health task force. My administration has created pre-kindergarten for four-year olds, and guaranteed access to healthcare for every child five and under. These are all things we can and should do nationally -- and when I'm President, we will. And I am the only candidate that has pledged to support only Supreme Court Justices that will uphold Roe v. Wade.
- Veterans I believe that we have an obligation to defend those who have defended us. It is a national disgrace that our veterans return home from war to horrific conditions at Walter Reed and endless waits to get medical care. Our veterans deserve the highest-quality care that this country can offer, and as President, I won't be satisfied until they have it.
- Disabilities I am proud to have supported Americans with disabilities throughout his career in public service. For me, this fight has always been a matter of guaranteeing every American their civil rights. In fact, New Mexico is in the Top 3 in the nation in terms of percentage of Medicaid expenditures directed toward allowing individuals with disabilities to receive care in their homes and communities, instead of in institutions. As President, I will continue to work hard on behalf of those with disabilities.
