Seven Steps to a Change of Direction

It is time to change course. Common sense, not ideological rigidity should guide us. Elements of a new policy are clear.

• Launch a crash drive for energy independence. Free us from our dependence on Persian Gulf oil, and end our support for repressive dictatorships like the Saudi’s that provide resources for Islamist extremism across the world.

• Isolate the terrorists, don’t inflate them. Focus on Bin Laden and the stateless terrorist cells. Isolate them from Muslim nationalism. Revive the global alliance andintelligence cooperation to amplify aggressive pursuit of known terrorists.

• End the occupation of Iraq which is weakening our military, isolating our nation, and generating recruits for al Qaeda throughout the Muslim world.

• Put the Iraqi leaders on notice. We’ve deposed Saddam Hussein, and provided more aid than that given to Europe in the Marshall Plan after World War II. It is time for them to decide between unity, federalism or civil war.

• Provide greater security here at home, implement the 9-11 Commission recommendations, stop cutting funds for first responders secure our ports, and ensure the police, fire and public health forces needed to respond effectively to terrorist attack or natural disaster.

• Make America a source of hope, not of hatred. Spread democracy by example, not by force of arms. Respect and champion human rights and the rule of law.

• Revive our leadership in emerging areas of common security threat – nuclear proliferation, catastrophic climate change, pandemics that threaten the globe.