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Heritage
Foundation
7
Things It's Not Too Late For
Amy
Payne
January
28, 2014
Presidents
offer pie-in-the-sky visions in their State of the Union addresses.
But if President Obama—and Congress—were willing to “roll up
their sleeves” (another common State of the Union phrase) and work
on some tangible good for Americans, Heritage experts have a few
ideas.
The
President is calling this his “year of action,” after all. Here
are seven things he should work with Congress to do.
1.
Save Americans from skyrocketing energy bills. It’s time to reverse
the war on coal and stop the greenhouse gas regulations that will
drive up energy costs for families—with no noticeable climate
benefit. People—especially low-income Americans—need affordable,
reliable energy. The President’s climate regulations will drive up
household electricity bills and destroy jobs across the country
without making a dent in global temperatures.
2.
Let students thrive and succeed through school choice. It’s not too
late, but it is past time for the President to support school choice
in the nation’s capital. The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program
is helping children from low-income families succeed—yet every
year, the Administration has tried to zero out funding for it. In
fact, the D.C. program should inspire cities across America. When
parents choose, students win, because school choice works.
3.
Return the government to being of the people, by the people, and for
the people. People (and their elected representatives), not the
President or the courts, should make marriage policy in the states.
The Obama Administration should instruct all agencies of the federal
government to respect states’ authority over marriage and stop
redefining marriage for a variety of federal purposes. And government
should not violate the rights of those who stand for marriage as the
union of a man and a woman.
4.
Get moving on entitlement reform. It’s becoming increasingly clear
that America’s runaway spending and debt are making it more
difficult for young people to get ahead. How? By dragging down the
economy. Washington’s leaders should put the budget on a path to
balance—to control spending. This would spur economic growth—and
that means creating jobs.
5.
Be ready for anything. We can’t compromise on equipping our
military for the 21st Century. When it comes to the enemies of
America, we have to be ready for any and all threats. That means
training, maintenance, and keeping our military No. 1. If our men and
women in uniform are willing to give their lives for the rest of us,
give them what they need to do their jobs.
6.
Remember the First Amendment. It’s not too late to respect
religious liberty. The Obama Administration should respect Americans’
freedom to choose health care that meets their families’ needs
without violating their beliefs or subsidizing potentially
life-ending drugs and procedures.
7.
Stop food policies that hurt the poor. The U.S. has farm policies
that actually drive up food prices, in part to help out special
interests like sugar and dairy farmers. The government shouldn’t be
involved in the food supply like this—especially when it hits
low-income Americans the hardest.
Read
this article with links and others at Heritage Foundation
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