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Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
Smart Voter

Foreign Policy and Homeland Security

By Charel Winston

Candidate for United States Representative; District 16

This information is provided by the candidate
I believe that the best way to keep America safe in a post 9/11 world is through a clear and consistent national security strategy that encourages our allies, and dissuades our enemies.
It is nothing short of appalling that seven years after 9/11, the U.S. Government still has not implemented most of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations. We must secure our borders, implement a national railway, port, and transit security plan, end the practice of using DHS funding for pork barrel spending that fails to address homeland security threats, address the communication and interoperability problems that continue to plague intelligence and emergency response operations, adequately fund FEMA and restore it to a Cabinet level post.

I understand that National Security is the top priority for our government. Our troops and our country have paid a dear price for the mistakes and miscalculations of Washington politicians who don't understand the true price of freedom. I believe that the best way to keep America safe in a post 9/11 world is through a clear and consistent national security strategy that encourages our allies, and dissuades our enemies. No more making it up as we go. I will fight for a coherent policy that roots out terrorists in their safe havens, addresses the root causes of terrorism, and prevents rogue regimes from obtaining WMD's. I will work to ensure secure borders, sound intelligence, responsive action plans, proper equipment, and adequate manpower to protect the American people.

We must bring our troops home! Preventing another Vietnam debacle demands an inclusive foreign policy for an immediate and forceful collective security agreement to secure the borders and eliminate the insurgency. The U.S. military has already achieved its objective--defeating Saddam's Army. Now, we must accelerate our re-building efforts within Iraq, re-engage the international community in the reconstruction effort, and commit to a realistic timetable for re-deploying U.S. troops to reduce the suspicion that is fueling insurgent violence and civil war.

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ca/state Created from information supplied by the candidate: July 31, 2008 13:22
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