WMA

WITHDRAWING US FORCES FROM IRAQ

A Policy Framework, Strategy & Action Plan

Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party Position Paper No. 1

New Leadership for the United States Congress

Police & Firefighters

Crime & Law

Environment

Labor

Homeland Security

Healthcare & Nurses

Seniors

Veterans

Education & Teachers

Civil Rights

War in Iraq

Liberty and

Justice for All

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Printable Version for easier reading.

	Which issue do you think is the most important? The War in Iraq Homeland Security Crime Jobs and Labor Veterans Seniors Healthcare Education Civil Rights

NOVEMBER 7, 2006

Cynthia Rodriguez Matthews is a dedicated to providing protecting our rights and guiding our country into the future.  She will provide the leadership is needed to provide the protection of Labor, best schools for our children, growth opportunities for businesses, healthcare for the elderly, fiscal responsibility for our future, safe neighborhoods for our families and a clean environment for all.

Immigration

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Committee to Elect Cynthia Rodriguez Matthews for Congress 2006

687 E. Foothill Blvd.P.O. Box 7998, La Verne, CA 91750

909.399.5737(ph) -   909-399-5736 (fax)
vote4matthews@Matthews4congress.com

9/11 was a testament to the bravery and courage that our Police and Firefighters display everyday.  They must be trained and have access to the latest equipment and technology. We must support their efforts to uphold the law and fight crime without being entangled in bureaucracy. We must ensure competitive salaries, healthcare, benefits and retirement.  If disabled, in the line of duty, their salaries, healthcare and benefits must continue until they return to work or indefinitely if they should become permanently disabled.

While in Congress I will assure that our most critical national security needs are addressed. I will fight to increase security at our ports, airports and other sensitive sites.  I will work hard to ensure our nation is protected and maintains its freedom. We must support their efforts to uphold the law and fight crime without being entangled in bureaucracy. We must ensure competitive salaries, healthcare, benefits and retirement.  If disabled, in the line of duty, their salaries, healthcare and benefits must continue until they return to work or indefinitely if they should become permanently disabled.

The working people of America built this country.  There would be no middle class today if it were not for the existence of organized labor.  Union members have been fighting attacks on worker’s rights and protection on many fronts.  While in Congress, I will represent the interest of the working people of my district.  I will fight for the rights of all working Americans to ensure competitive and fair living wages, healthcare benefits, and retirement packages. I strongly support the right of labor to organize and strike to achieve its legitimate goals of better wages, hours, working conditions, and fair and adequate retirement packages. I support the repeal of section 14-B of the Taft-Hartley law, which militates against the interests of labor unions. Business & Economic Development I believe that small businesses are the backbone of our State as well as our Nation which drive and support our economy.  We must continue to create viable jobs with advancement opportunities. We must eliminate tax cuts that greatly affect our working families. We must support their efforts to uphold the law and fight crime without being entangled in bureaucracy. We must ensure competitive salaries, healthcare, benefits and retirement.  If disabled, in the line of duty, their salaries, healthcare and benefits must continue until they return to work or indefinitely if they should become permanently disabled.

Having in depth knowledge in the area of Environmental Management gives me insight to our immediate need for research and development of alternative energy sources. While in Congress, I will work to improve, strengthen and enforce air/water regulation and protections, and reward environmentally responsible farmers and businesses. I will support investment and research into alternative energy sources: hydrogen, solar, wind and ocean.   I will lead in protecting our oceans, rivers and rural environments.   I firmly believe in preserving our natural resources to improve our quality of life as well as for our future generations.   I will fight to close the loopholes currently in place that allow corporation to pollute our waters and air with deadly consequences to our environment and our health.

While in Congress, I will work diligently to fight crime and violence. I will support Federal, State, and Local partnerships to improve the safety and economic stability of our neighborhoods.  Having friends and family members in law enforcement, I realize the importance of improved safety for our officers and their families. We must support their efforts to uphold the law and fight crime without being entangled in bureaucracy. We must ensure competitive salaries, healthcare, benefits and retirement.  If disabled, in the line of duty, their salaries, healthcare and benefits must continue until they return to work or indefinitely if they should become permanently disabled.

As a member of the House of Representatives, I will work diligently to improve the quality of life for our active, disabled, retired veterans and their families.  I am the proud niece of retired Col. Joseph “Chuck” Rodriguez and cousin to a U.S. Army Major General. My uncle was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Truman for his enduring bravery during the Korean Conflict.  I have a great respect for the selfless service of our enlisted and retired military personnel and vow to protect heir rights as they have protected our rights and freedom by fighting for this country and democracy set for by our ancestors. If you’ve served, you deserve!

All seniors must have access to affordable housing health care, and medications.  Our seniors should not have to return to work after retirement to make ends meet. Social Security must be protected and should be more than adequate to provide a living wage to seniors.

While in Congress, I will work to ensure every American has access to quality, affordable health care and medicines.   I will support progressive programs seeking to improve our quality of health and life.   I support a single payer “Invest in Health” plan that would insure health care for every American. This is beneficial for Senior Citizens, The Disabled, Children, and every Adult in America.   As the world’s largest industrial nation, and California being the fifth largest economy in the world, it is imperative to provide health coverage for all. This plan can be done with very little cost without raising taxes. We must fight to prevent another hospital from closing down and adding a heavier burden to our already overworked nurses. We must ensure our nurses are well trained and provided progressive salaries, benefits and retirement.

I will work hard to improve the quality of education for our young people. “No Child Left Behind” has done just that, it leaves every child behind. This program has no funding and prevents teachers from doing their jobs.  I support creating new after-school programs to give children a safe and productive place to go after school while their parents work. We must invest in strengthening the curriculum from Elementary through High School, which will prepare our children for College and a competitive global market.  We can and should provide affordable college for everyone. Teachers must have job security, competitive salaries, and retirement.  Teachers should be provided continued education to keep up with the latest technology. This, in turn, will provide better education to our children.

While in Congress, I will fight to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State of California.  These and other provisions must be protected in order to preserve the very essence of what our nation was founded on in President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address in 1863: A “Government of the people, by the people, and for the people”. I am a longtime supporter of people with disabilities and their struggle for equal rights. No one should be hindered from access to any building, employment, or education. Everyone should be able to participate in all avenues of American life. “The beauty of this nation lies with its diversity of people in its kaleidoscope of ethnicities, creeds, and colors. I will defend and protect the inalienable rights of all.” I will fight protect rights of all people!

The war in Iraq has been a quagmire!  We were mislead about the pretence for the invasion, our troops were sent in without proper body armor or armored vehicles.  Americans can not afford to continue financing this war economically, nor can we continue to be divided as a nation.  The people of Iraq have voted and elected their government officials. BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!!!

This is a multi-faceted problem that affects local, state, national, and international economies and homeland security. We have immigration laws in place that are not being enforced.  This has created new problems that require new solutions: The United States needs to restructure or eliminate our (NAFTA / CAFTA) trade agreements.  These agreements have lead to the depression of economic conditions and environmental degradation ultimately pushing the citizen of affected countries to the U.S.  This condition is not the American Dream; it is simply exploitation of Labor!  Instituting trade agreements that will provide sound environmental protection and promote strong economic development in these countries will eliminate the need for their people to leave their homes in search of work, eventually allowing other countries to create, realize and live their own “dream”. My ideal immigration policy includes:    1) Restructure or eliminating NAFTA/ CAFTA and instituting new trade agreements promoting “fair trade” that lead to strong economic growth and prosperity for affected countries.  By encouraging economic growth in these countries, the U.S. will ultimately benefit through increased flow of trade and increased small business capital here in the United States. 2) We are a sovereign nation; our constitution dictates that we secure and defend our boarders. We must secure our borders by properly funding our border patrol and investing in the latest technology.  3) We have millions who have legally applied for permanent status and are currently waiting to be processed. The United States is 3 Trillion dollars in debt.  It is not economically feasible to offer 15million+ illegal immigrant’s amnesty. Restructuring our immigration process, by eliminating the bottleneck that has developed for those who wish to enter the country legally, and rewarding legal immigration is much more reasonable. 4) Enforce current laws with regard to illegally operating employers. By implementing these policies we will be able to a) reduce the rush of those looking to enter the U.S. illegally, b) stop the exploitation of labor that takes advantage of all workers and c) support our American working class and small businesses.