Cooper and Emily, this project is so exciting! I am awaiting with bated breath the

Voter Manifesto, asking the media and presidential candidates from all parties to answer real questions and address real issues. Let's help them by creating a template: the questions any candidate must answer if they want to earn our vote next year. If you could tell the presidential candidates what is most important to you, what are the top four hot button issues you would ask them to address?

If I were a betting woman...the top four issues would be...wow, I actually don't know. Can't wait to find out from the survey.

For what it's worth, for me, the issues are:

- How to Pay for Our Healthcare...sustainably
- The environment
- Iraq
- Lack of child care options, and huge expense of child care options

You women never cease to amaze me with the ways you use your power for good!

I'm Canadian and live in Canada, so I don't know how relevant my opinion is on issues for US presidential candidates to address. But I will chime in on the one global issue that I'd like BlogHer to support - global warming. I believe the time to act is now and I'd love to see BlogHer as an active part of that.

I think this is a GREAT idea! I was just thinking about the role the media plays in political campaigns this afternoon...

Let's create a Voter Manifesto, asking the media and presidential candidates from all parties to answer real questions and address real issues. Let's help them by creating a template: the questions any candidate must answer if they want to earn our vote next year. If you could tell the presidential candidates what is most important to you, what are the top four hot button issues you would ask them to address?

I think the number one issue the news media needs to do is...Start reporting the "news". I do not think that even one "attack" ad should be replayed on any news media as if it is an actual news story. These ads end up becoming totally free advertising for a candidate or party, simply because the "so called" news media is using them over and over again as if they are news. Just because these ads are being replayed on news stations, does not make them news. This is not journalism, it is propaganda - information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.

The news media needs to return to true journalism and investigative reporting...And not rely on being spoon-fed stories by candidates and campaigns. The media is doing a serious injustice to the American people, they must stop this practice IMMEDIATELY.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and CatherineBlogs.com

http://crunchycarpets.com/archives/218

So….what is the big thing for me. Everyday, the worlds news is filled with war, misery, murder, famine, genocide, persecution…..the list goes on. The media and the blogosphere is filled with talking heads blaming this person or that ……this evil organization, those monsters,….again…the list goes on.

All I keep thinking is they are all human. WE are all human beings first. We are all mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children…….it is pure luck where you end up on this planet. No matter what side you are on…..we are all human beings. We do at a root level care about the same things.

BlogHer represents around 11000 women bloggers. There are more out there. Is that NOT a powerful voice? Should not the LUCKY female humans of the globe do something to protect those women who are NOT so lucky. Those being beaten on the streets for not covering themselves up or not being escorted by a male family member. Can we not help those women who can’t feed their kids or get medical care for their families….or jobs or education. Should WE not speak up for those who cannot or are not being heard themselves?

Globally, women’s rights are in a sorry state. This is the 21st Century and discrimination and misogyny is rife across the planet.

Globally women’s voices should be heard. It should be a mighty roar.

The times need to change…..can we be the one’s to push that change?

Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com

You are providing terrific leadership here. As I just commented, I am proud and excited to be a part of this action plan.

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

Fantastic idea! My issue is treatment of the developmentally disabled. Here is my post:

http://thezenofmotherhood.blogspot.com/2007/06/bloghers-act.html

Cooper and Emily,

My post is blogged, tagged and linked.

The one issue I'll raise that I doubt anyone else will: boring but extremely important: Rebuilding our Infrastructure. We will all talk about it when the power failures, water restrictions, and road collapses grow in frequency.

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

Hi Cooper and Emily,

I am fired up by your great idea and want to contribute. Can we leave our idea for the Number One Global Issue here?

Without a doubt, the global issue that we need to force into the public consciousness is nuclear waste contaminating our land and poisoning our bodies. This isn't just a theory or a fear of something that will happen in the future, this is happening right now in the pacific northwest. This issue reigns supreme over any other issue that I am also concerned with such as global warming, the war in Iraq, and social equity and justice. And the reason for my myopic focus on this issue is because I'm finding that most people are not even aware of this imminent and present danger. I blog about it here:

http://babywhisperingloudly.typepad.com/babywhisperingloudly/2007/06/thi...

and here: http://babywhisperingloudly.typepad.com/babywhisperingloudly/2007/05/ari...

and here: http://babywhisperingloudly.typepad.com/babywhisperingloudly/2007/05/peo...

I feel confident that IF ONLY PEOPLE KNEW what is really happening to the environment and all who inhabit it under the name of "national security" or "fighting the terrorists" or stopping other countries from developing weapons of mass destruction when we are on the edge of blowing ourselves up, people would compel our government to do something about it before it is too late.

Thanks so much for inspiring this effort,

BabyWhisperingLoudly

BabyWhisperingLoudly: listening to the *quiet voices* before they start yelling at me OR documenting mamahood while being purposely ambiguous

http://babywhisperingloudly.typepad.com/babywhisperingloudly/

Women could change the world if we changed the way we spent our money. We can have an immediate and enduring impact if we shift our spending to products with the biggest potential to protect the planet. No matter how much or how little money any of us individually has, collectively we wield enough consumer clout to create sustainable systems worldwide. Let's get BlogHer behind a campaign to show women how powerful the purse can be!

I offer a lot of ideas for shifting spending to make a difference at http://www.biggreenpurse.com. There's also an opportunity there to join the "One in a Million" campaign. By pledging to shift $1,000 of money you're already spending to environmentally friendly products and services, you and a million other women can together make a billion dollar difference.

The power of the purse: We have it. Let's use it!

If I was going to choose a broad topic, it would be “Accountability and Diplomacy”. If there is one thing lacking in present day political, social, economical, and environmental systems, it is our inability to make difficult decisions at cost of our individual inconvenience, but for the good of our children and children’s children. As an example of this complete lack of accountability or willingness to participate in diplomacy, please read how the current president of the EU Commision reached out to the G8 leaders, and what your president’s response was (quoted from BBC online news):

“German Chancellor Angela Merkel, hosting the (G8) summit, has set what is seen as an ambitious personal goal of persuading the leading industrialised countries to commit to cutting emissions by 50% by 2050.

She also wants them to increase fuel efficiency by 20% and limit the world's temperature rise to 2C. “

“… Mr Bush said that instead of backing the proposed emissions caps he favoured his own plan (bold print is mine) that the worst CO2 emitting nations, including the US, China and India, meet before the year is out to put together a new long-term strategy to tackle the problem. The United States can serve as a bridge to help find a solution…”

In my ears, Mr. Bush response is: blahblahblahblah, talktalktalk, words, no actions. It is very frustrating to hear this sort of suggestion from the leader of a country who’s not been active or cooperative in reaching diplomatic action (e.g. Kyoto agreement).

Isn’t there any way that we can influence these matters individually, as well as figuring out methods to make our leaders do so as well?

lia from luebeck, germany

Author of the media safe 101 page on the Red Tent Blog and the personal yum yum cafe

I would like more attention drawn to the issues of alternative education and student welfare.

Too often, people equate education with school. This ignores the vast amount of opportunities out there for people to learn, to explore, to be educated. Travel, volunteering, mentorships, projects, internships, jobs, homeschooling, unschooling, distance education...so many things! You don't have to conform to school to be happy.

This ties in to the often-forgotten issue of student welfare. Around the world, students are seen less for their personality, character, and passion, and more for their ability to provide grades. Their individuality is suppressed in the name of good grades/top uni/high-paying job. They're stressing themselves out, ignoring their health and sanity, just so they can succeed. And the teachers don't notice! They are only after numbers. The students lose out. Everyone loses out, because what then happens is the creation of a bunch of robots, unable to adapt to changing circumstances.

Students must be given the right to learn what they want to learn, the best way they learn. Not everyone is right for school or university. Not everyone has to do 20 years of schooling continuously; they may fare better with breaks in between. Some people flourish under alternative circumstances.

Students also need to be seen holistically, and not just as grade cattle. Their passions and interests must be noticed and met. They need to be engaged in their education, and the only way to do that is to recognize them as individual beings with their own wants and needs. Options must be provided for them to live their best. Their basic needs must be met.

We need to break away from the idea of "education = school" and look towards the idea of "education = life".

I write a blog about these issues - EducateDeviate. It's not easy finding other likeminded people, so I hope there will be other BlogHers that would be interested :)

My comment is on Britt's post: http://www.blogher.com/node/20505

Darfur is the issue I care most deeply about because the people of Darfur are dealing with so very much...genocide, poverty, rape, violence, starvation. It's a humanitarian crisis of the first order.

Other issues I care about are:

Education - I work at a school and would like to see the education system revamped. We've created a system that cares first and foremost about test scores and I think our children are suffering because of it.

Environment - I'd like the U.S. government to acknowledge the existence of global warming and to start taking action NOW to decrease it.

Health Care - It's insane to me that I can live in what many consider the most powerful country in the world and we still have a health care system that most can't afford and that many can't access at all. Basic health care should not be a privilege in this country--it should be a right for every citizen.

Voting - Voter apathy is a real problem in the U.S. I would hope that each of us would do whatever we can to encourage our fellow citizens to vote. We cannot create any real change without voting power.

I have posted about my issue - educational freedom and reform - on my blog here:

http://phatmommy.com/2007/06/08/bloghers-act-educational-freedom/

Shannon
PHAT Mommy

I've just read Birdie's post here:

http://www.blogher.com/node/20498

...and just wanted to say that I love the idea of focusing on an issue a month. Wondering if in addition to the year-long focus of one primary issue, the voter manifesto could be expanded. Why not create a manifesto with 12 issues (there's no shortage of issues we feel passionately about!) and ask BlogHers to blog about each of them once a month on a designated day? I think there could be incredible power in that! The manifesto could be a handbook of the issues that we, as a group, feel passionately about, and it would give the candidates a heads up of the issues we're going to bring into the voting booths with us. We could still focus our energies for an entire year on a primary issue, but we could also spotlight many other issues via a monthly blogging blitz.

Sexual exploitation of children is a multi-billion dollar industry. The most effective way to deal with this issue is to take away the demand. I have left a BlogHers Act post on this issue. My blog tinystars.wordpress.com is all about this issue and what can be done about it. Because I am new to blogging I am not sure if I successfully tagged my post. :) The date of my BlogHers Act post is 06/10/07.
Please tell me if I have done all I need to do to have this topic considered. It is to important of an issue to miss out on this amazing opportunity.

http://tinystars.wordpress.com/

The following link is to the Tiny Stars website (which is not mine). It is full of information about human trafficking, especially the trafficking of children for sex.

http://www.tinystars.org/index.html

Hi Gloriasone: we did indeed see your post and add it to the list for the survey. Thanks for participating.

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer and Worker Bees
elisa@blogher.org/elisa@workerbees.biz

BlogHer is all about being empowered. There is power in the pocket book and a written letter (or blog post).

I would like to see women unite to create future empowered women, one letter and one purchase at a time. I would like to see us combat, in an organized way, the hidden messages in most of today's women's magazines. It affects how we feel about our bodies, ourselves. I hate to hear how young women are dying their hair and getting nose jobs.

As women, we will earn less than our male counterparts. Where are we supposed to get the disposable income to pay for all these enhancements? We should be saving for our future, and making a smart investment instead. There are too few such messages for young women.

If we are to tackle any of these deserving issues with BloHer ACT, we must first address raising up the next generation of advocates. It would be natural for all women, parent and non-parents alike, to address the negative messages our popular media send us. This is an issue that affects us all. What if the SF-based organization, About Face, could implement their program across the continent, not just in one city or country? If we chose a U.S. election issue, we rule out the potential to engage our sisters abroad, the global potential for change. It would also tie-in well with your burgeoning ad network.

My two cents. Thanks for reading along!

Teri Tith
Blog Owner
Purple Women & Friends

This is a continuation of Gloriasone's comment. I would like to help Tiny Stars in any way, and hope they can be considered for the survey.

Tiny Stars is a non-government agency dedicated to expose and stop commercial sexual exploitation of children by catching child predators. We work with federal law enforcement to capture American child predators.

Objectives:
Raise awareness and educate key identifiers
Expose the magnitude of the commercial child sex trade industry
Give a voice to the vulnerable victims
Partner/collaborate with government organizations and coalitions
Support and enforce policies and legislation that serves to protect children from predators
Create model communities for which to replicate throughout the US

We women all have such wonderfully diverse opinions of what issues are important, but something I think we can all agree upon is the necessity of encouraging women to become active and informed citizens. Women today are so busy with career and family obligations that it's easy to "tune out" politics. We need to do a better job of paying attention to issues that affect us and our families. We need to make our voices heard on every level from our local communities to global ones.

My BHA post can be found here.

Definitely healthcare -- perhaps the biggest immediate crisis facing this country. Please see http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/06/blogher_communi.html

For me, one of the most important global issues is literacy. It has been shown that where women in particular can read and write, then infant/child mortality rates reduce, education levels rise, and the earning power of people increases.

I also heard a saddening statistic a few years ago, which I hope isn't true. Only 2% of Americans read 5 or more books *a year*.

Can we not promote reading within our own communities, and also arrange for reading and literacy to be promoted in communities less well off than our own?

My blog entry is here: http://sorchaogle.wordpress.com/2007/06/12/33/

http://sorchaogle.wordpress.com/

Just blogged my contribution.

My 4 election issues are:
abortion/contraception
gay rights/marriage
credit/banking industry regulation
healthcare

And my global issue is getting out the message that rape is wrong.

Rock on, everybody.

Liz Rizzo

I blog at Everyday Goddess and On The Lot.

I just posted my contributions here.

In a nutshell:

Global Issue -- Ratification of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

'08 Presidential Campaign -- Iraq, big money in government, ERA, healthcare.

Didn't think of the environment until I saw it posted here, but that might edge out one of my four...

In a nutshell:
Global Issue: The environment and global warming.

'08 Presidental Campaign Manifesto:

1. Iraq/foreign policy
2. Health Care
3. Education
4. Environment

See my post and more details here: http://www.gailanderson.org/2007/06/bloghers-act.html

This is a great idea! I'm the blogger for the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. My #1 issue is women's health and here's why:

If the Bush administration has taught me anything, it’s that one man has the power to erode reproductive rights and women’s health care in this country.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see what George W. Bush has done to erode access to women’s health care over the past six years. During his presidency, he doled out more than a billion dollars to unproven, ineffective abstinence-only education programs. He gave more than 30 million dollars to so-called "crisis pregnancy centers" — anti-choice organizations that intentionally mislead and misinform women about abortion. He nominated Eric Keroack, a man who doesn't believe in birth control, to run the nation's family planning program. He put politics ahead of women’s health by signing the federal abortion ban into law. He appointed two anti-choice U.S. Supreme Court justices, and, with them on the bench, the court decided that politicians are better than doctors at making critical health care decisions for women. He let his radical right-wing base take control of women’s health. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough.

I want a president who will promote mainstream policies — like increasing access to family planning and preventing unintended pregnancies. And I don’t think I’m alone. Women, I know it’s hard, but try to imagine this: You go to the pharmacy and you don’t think twice about whether your pharmacist will fill your birth control prescription. Your kids are given comprehensive sex education in schools that empower them to make safe and healthy decisions. Your health insurance covers your birth control, just like it covers other medication. Your local clinic doesn’t worry about its doors closing because it doesn’t have the funding to provide basic health care for you and your neighbors.

It’s all possible. We can have a president who puts reproductive health care decisions in the hands of women and their doctors, invests in comprehensive sex education in our schools, increases access to birth control, and is committed to reducing the number of unintended pregnancies. But let’s be honest, we can’t have someone that amazing leading this country unless we put a pro-choice president in the White House.

Women’s health care is basic health care, and it’s high time we put this issue front and center on the agenda for the 2008 election. The presidential candidates need to know that when the hundred million women who live in this country go to the ballot box next November, we’ll remember the candidates who stood up for our health. I know I will. We have the power to make a difference in this election. Here’s the thing — I’m just one voice in the blogosphere. If all of us worked together, we would be a force to be reckoned with. Let’s make reproductive health our top issue for 2008 and show the presidential candidates that women’s health — and women’s votes — matter.

Wow. Multitudes of smart synapses firing on this site, yay!

I truly believe that as women, we have a unique “lens” with which to view children’s socio-emotional health, and it’s something we need to bring to other leaders of change on a global scale.

Sustainability, health care, childhood obesity and media are already on the radar of political candidates, and we're in a unique position as women to use our intellectual firepower to relate these topics back to youth and the future of our planet in an over-arching platform.

Right now, appearance-based behavioral cues and junk food for the mind and body are undermining children’s emotional and physical health. Media & marketing's impact on kids is having a trickle down impact on everyone's well-being globally.

From healthcare (childhood obesity, poor nutrition, famine/access issues) to consumerism (sustainability, global warming, fuel wars) commercialism (branding brains w/insecurity, exporting a lack of self-worth; cultural erosion, divisive have/have not caste systems & genocide) the need for financial & media literacy (economics, microloans, deconstructing myths & messaging to women & girls) even right down to the stereotypes portrayed (gender/racial inequities) it seems it ALL 'umbrellas' under how we're choosing to shape worldviews of our respective nations through media and marketing messages.

(p.s. And no, I'm not just saying this because www.ShapingYouth.org is about "using the power of media for positive change"---BlogHer seems like the IDEAL forum of ambitious, savvy, take charge women to lead change!)

While all the suggestions above are more than worthy, issues like literacy, nuclear proliferation and infrastructure are being worked on by plenty of people of both genders and maybe even by a few in between!

On so called “women’s issues,” however, well, the burden is on us to speak up for ourselves. And I agree with Emmy Kendrick: BlogHer’s Red-Hot Issue should be women’s health.

In fact, a couple of weeks ago, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced the FDA Scientific Fairness to Women Act to Congress. Full disclosure: I have been working with various women’s organizations to help drum up support for the bill, including a sponsorship drive, where we urged people to contact their Congressional reps to ask them to co-sponsor the initiative.

The purpose of the bill is to make women’s health issues a priority at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and would provide a great launching point for any discussion on the importance of women’s health policy, which has been badly neglected.

Specifically, the FDA Scientific Fairness for Women Act would:

§ Elevate the Office of Women's Health within the FDA so that the office reports directly to the Commissioner, instead of being buried FOUR LEVELS DOWN from the Commissioner;

§ Withdraw approval of silicone breast implants if the manufacturers cannot conclusively demonstrate their safety for the life of the implant; and

§ Require FDA to convene a workshop to review and evaluate current scientific data on the use of emergency contraception by young women under the age of 18.

The BlogHer network should adopt the DeLauro bill in particular and women’s health in general because:

1. The bill is already in the pipeline and just needs a good shove — in other words, a groundswell of public support — over the next year for Congress to take it up seriously. Since the objective is clear, BlogHer’s impact would be obvious and certainly more measurable than on an issue like global warming.

2. The provision on breast implants is a terrific umbrella issue that touches on everything from women’s health to body image to female empowerment, encouraging BlogHer’s diverse membership to weigh-in, no matter what the individual blogger’s focus. Network-wide discussions could move the needle in so many areas, from government policy to feminism to pop culture, including the passively accepted feminine ideal promoted by the entertainment industry.

I have not put my two cents in about the '08 campaign yet so here goes.
Health care for everyone

I would also like to recap what I mentioned before about the global issue I would like to see addressed. One out of 3-4 girls is sexually molested and one out of 5-6 boys. Sexual exploitation of children is a MULTI-BILLION dollar industry. It has grown to such gigantic proportions because there is a demand for adult sex with children. They get away with it because of silence and shame. I say lets start yelling. With the Protect Act of 2003 in place we have a way to catch American pedophiles all over the world. Not just here at home, but all over the world where children are easy prey it is American men that drive this industry. 80% of the demand for sex with children in South American countries and 40% worldwide comes from Americans. That is disgusting! So as empowered Americans who want to make a difference globally (Africa, South America,Thialand, Costa Rica,you name a country and it is happening there) how about we take control of a problem we are creating. impoverished people in poor countries need the money these sick individuals will pay. So lets subtract the child molestors, take away the demand so parents and pimps will stop forcing children to have sex and give them industries where they live so their kids can be kids instead of sacrificial lambs. The ability to do ALL of these things is in place already. What is needed is a voice, a loud voice that won't stop until she is heard.

A child being molested is soul deadening to them. It is not okay and we are not powerless.
Those molestors that travel to other countries to have sex with kids don't stop having sex with kids when they are home, they are just more careful. The protect Act provides for harsher sentencing. 30 years to life. There are programs in place for undercover investigations right here at home too. All that is needed is funding, that unrelenting voice, and volunteers. It is simple, doable and about time. I see the validity of all the causes that have been suggested but when I think of a child who has been raped I wonder how much they will be able to focus on their education. Do they care if they are hungry or would they rather just die? And what about the impact on their self-image? What about the rights of these kids? Usually molestors do what they do not for sexual gratification but to hurt someone the way they were hurt. The more we stop it from happening the less the disease will spread.
What BlogHers Act is doing is a going to be a powerful force and it needs to be matched with a cause that needs a powerful force behind it. Everything else is in place. Let's stop them.

Now............I feel like I've had my say.
Thank you for a place to say it. My blog is www.tinystars.wordpress.com
Gloria

The four issue to be address in 08 or sooner is:
1) The environment
2) The debt
3) foreign policy
4) Health Care.

But I have posted my opinion on a deeper subject of at my blog

http://peppylady.blogspot.com/2007/06/new-and-improve-middle-class.html

It's a mish-mash of sorts, all stemming from getting the heck out of Iraq. www.letterstomydaughters.com

My suggestion for the year would be that each of us meditate daily for even a very brief time just on peace, an updated "Lysistrata."

This is a link to my blog post on this topic: BlogHers Act

Jeez - almost missed this. This is my post on the topic:

I would want the various communities of the world to have sustainability projects so that there would be consistent employment, a livable community and a love and respect for planet Earth.

Sustainability is not a white thing or an elitist thing or even a green thing. If one community has too much and the other not enough there will be trouble. There is trouble. I would also toss in ethics but I have to keep it to one topic. Wait, I got it, ethical sustainability.

If the fuel depletion projections are accurate then there will be lack. Where there is lack there is exploitation, war and violence against women and children. The men folk don't do so well either.

So, I think this is the time where we have to look to create a community - real world in real time folks - that starts with respect for the planet and the people that are on it.

We can create food sources in our immediate areas. We can recycle and recreate our waste products. We can employ the members of our society that we have walled off. There are whole cities that have no industry to speak of except the prison industry. We have the tools and the technology. We can do better.

We must. So in the spirit of BlogHer Acts I would like to propose a focus on equal opportunity ethical sustainability projects. Go Green and all colors in-between but let's cut the crap and get to work.

http://outonthestoop.blogspot.com/2007/06/sustainability-project-blogher...

Gena - Out On The Stoop

My issue is rape and sexual assault.

You can read my full post here.

Sigh. I've struggled with this since you asked.
I've flip flopped on a million issues.
And here I am, at the deadline, and I think I have finally found my answer...

As I sit here on my parents Florida patio, my dad taking 5 of his daily pills for his ailing heart and his lukemia. I want universal healthcare in this country NOW. I want my Dad to stop worrying and I want my Mom to stop crying. I want them to be able to afford to see their grandchildren more. Not choose between perscriptions and dinner out. And my parents are some of the lucky one.

I know several of the 08 candidates are already making this a HUGE push. I think now is the time to make it real. For those millions of children with no healthcare. For those veterans lost in the system. For my Mom and Dad. Who just want to STOP worrying.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

I honestly believe we could tackle this healthcare issue in SO many ways. Just the US angle alone could keep us busy, with the upcoming election...but it need not stop there. Action could be taken on a global front, tackling issues in other part of the world including Africa's Aid's crisis. Darfur-any humanitarian crisis is a healthcare crisis. Childhood obesity. Infant mortality rates. Prenatal, postnatal care.

But really, this is mostly about getting our fellow human beings, wherever they may be, the care and medication they deserve. We can act locally on an innercity clinic front...or globally on a fundraising for Africa front...or we can work together to pressure the pharmaceutical companies.

So much can be done here.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

My main issue is safeguarding separation of church and state, because it touches so many other issues I care deeply about. Issues of reproductive justice, marriage equality, sound science, academic integrity, the disproportionate influence the religious right has over our policy makers, and -- as I get older -- end of life matters.

When there are not enough dollars allocated for social services, do we really want the administration pushing 'faith-based' initiatives that promote abstinence only education, and marriage as a solution for women in poverty? Or do we want our tax dollars going to houses of worship that are then allowed to discriminate in employment based on an applicant's religion?

As global warming, and the damage we are doing to our planet, becomes increasingly apparent do we need Congress and the President debating a federal marriage amendment? Does it matter more who we love, than whether or not we will be able to breath the air in another decade or so?

And with so many friends and family members battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, do we want a president who will veto a bipartisan stem-cell bill because it conflicts with his religious beliefs? I hope not.

BAC