http://www.josephshannonforcongress.com/
A Message from Joseph Shannon:
It seems that from the time I was in grade school and first learned about government, our elected officials have talked of the need for health care reform and a national energy policy.
More than three decades have passed since the gas lines of the seventies and yet our energy policy remains unchanged. Our national health care program has changed very little since the enactment of Medicare.
It is time for this generation to end three decades of rhetoric and live up to the responsibilities of a great nation.
For the past several months I have walked the communities of the 13th Congressional district.
I have shared in detail my ideas for a real and fair health program, and an honest and effective energy policy.
In shopping malls and on street corners, at your door steps and at public meetings, I have listened to the thoughts of the people of our district.
On this site, you may view my proposals on these two issues. If elected I will dedicate my full time and attention to reach a solution to these vital issues.
I do hope that in the course of this campaign, I might have and opportunity to talk with you about these and other governmental matters that affect our everyday lives.
I thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Joseph Shannon
Statement from Margaret Blackshere, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO on the Endorsement of Joe Shannon, 13th Congressional District.
“Joe Shannon will be an advocate for working families in Washington - which will be a stark contrast to current Congresswoman Biggert, who scored a 0% voting record on Labor issues in 2005. Biggert voted for CAFTA, voted to cut job training programs and OSHA safety programs. She supported the bankruptcy bill that makes it more difficult for individuals to file for personal bankruptcy protection and voted for the Bush budget cuts to working family programs including health care, student loans and food assistance. Joe Shannon believes in protecting workers on the job and in guaranteeing health care for all Americans. He has fought for working class people his entire career. Now he can be assured that the 36,000 union members in his district will be out working for his election.”
Issues
Energy Plan
As a Member of Congress, I will work to promote an energy policy that stimulates the development of renewable energy sources. The present leadership focuses almost exclusively on oil and natural gas as our energy answer. However, oil and natural gas are finite resources. Further, there is a high price for our dangerous dependence on these resources. Our American service men and women are putting their lives on the line to make sure we have a steady flow of oil here in the United States. We need to plan now for the new energy economy.
We are a bold, innovative people. We can fix this problem.
That is why we must develop a plan for developing renewable resources with the same urgency and national initiative as we did in bringing a man to the moon. Our 13th Congressional District is comprised of an incredibly gifted and talented workforce, many of whom work in the energy and technology field. Our District should be at the forefront as we begin to develop new and stable sources of energy.
Tax incentives should be in place to encourage development and purchase of renewable energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass to generate electricity. We can develop alternatives to oil to power transportation by using natural gas and biofuels. By doing so, we will also be developing a new economy that will in turn create new sources of revenue and good jobs.
We are home to the elite Argonne National Laboratory and home to a technical corridor that should be the hub for the entrepreneurial development of these new energies. The American people deserve a cleaner, more environmentally sound source of energy. Developing alternatives to fossil fuel consumption is essential and within our reach. The time for this meaningful reform is now.
Healthcare
We must act now to improve our broken health care system. More than 45 million Americans are uninsured - including 8 million children - and countless others are underinsured. Americans demand action from their leaders on this issue. Health care should be available to every American.
In addition, the cost of health insurance has increased by 60% over the past three years. For those with employer based insurance plans, the increased cost of health insurance has placed a greater burden on both the employee and the employer.
It is not only vital for American families that we provide affordable health care, but it is also important to our businesses as well. Today, Starbucks spends more on health care than on coffee! If we want our businesses to stay competitive, we need to reign in the skyrocketing cost of health care.
Employers cannot be the sole provider of health care when these costs are rising faster than inflation. What America needs is an approach that will provide meaningful reform to assist our ailing health care system.
The American economy and culture are unique. We are a republic and the states should be respected. Recognizing that this is a national problem, I support a state-based approach to resolving this pressing issue. This approach would provide universal health care for everyone, but would allow the states to partner with the federal government on this issue.
States understand what types of reform will work best for their state. I propose a state-based universal health care system, where states, with the federal government's help, formulate a plan to make sure that all of their residents have health care coverage.
The federal government would provide states with the financial help, technical assistance and oversight necessary to accomplish this goal. In return, a state would have to make sure that every resident has coverage at least as good as the health insurance of members of Congress.
There are a number of options for the states to fashion their universal system, including, but not limited to, partnering with neighboring states to provide a regional health plan, the use of state tax incentives and credits, a single-payer system in the state, and the use of the Medicare and Medicaid system models for the states. The federal government will work with the states to insure universal health coverage for all our citizens.
This approach is a truly American approach, one that respects our diversity, but that guarantees universal access to health care for every U.S. citizen. The time for health care reform is 2006.
Immigration
I am for a sensible immigration policy, as opposed to hollow rhetoric. The security of the United States and its borders must always be protected. At the same time, the economic and business needs, as well as regional stability must be addressed in a balanced and humane way in the best interest of the United States.
A bill has to have a viable purpose. Immigration control is the key, not immigration bills meant to criminalize or imprison immigrants for civil violations. In 1986, there was an Immigration Reform and Control Act (which was widely known as ” IRCA ” ) which provided for amnesty and employer sanctions. That bill did not work. I am against amnesty. The employer sanctions part of the IRCA did not work because it merely penalized employers without taking into consideration employers' needs and the overall welfare for the United States.
Just as employer sanctions did not work, criminalizing a civil violation will not work either. What we need is a comprehensive solution. A sovereign nation not only needs to control its borders, but also has to have control on who is residing in its borders. Employer sanctions created an underground society which is getting larger and out of control. Employment is the largest magnet for immigrants to enter the United States illegally. Therefore, we need to regulate our work force with the participation and cooperation of employers. We need to have accountability and taxation for alien workers. Documentation and identification of alien workers in a controlled and regulated environment is a must. If elected I plan to introduce my own immigration bill to reflect the wishes of my District.
Joseph Shannon
From: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/politics/naperville/n1713th.html