Press Office of Lance Lillidge

[Lance Lillidge]

Lance Lillidge issues his vision for America:

The Democratic Party is a party that encompasses diversity, that believes that our country works best when we work together. I believe in the core message that we espouse and stand for. Opportunity for all, responsibility by all and unity. I am a candidate that will stand for our core beliefs, because they are a part of my own core beliefs.

Goals
Bring more and new people to the election process with a message of unity
Promote strong communities, strong families, a strong defense, a strong economy and equality for all
Stand up for the core values of our Party
Work to produce substantial results and clean up the culture of Washington D.C. to bring faith back into politics
Work to expand the reaches of the Democratic Party, by promoting a sensible policy that all can unite behind


It is the duty of the President, and it will be my priority and a daily task of mine to do all that I can to protect the American people. In order to do this task we need a commander-in-chief that is prepared and has the leadership to do just that. We need results and proactive actions that show the world that we will protect our citizens and we will lead in this War on Terror. And together we can stand up to terrorists, reopen diplomatic channels and spread democracy across this world.

Military
Transform and rebuild the military to meet 21st-century threats of today and make it even more effective
Expand our military to meet the new challenges that we face as well as invest in new technology
Stand with our allies, rebuild and create new alliances and partnerships to fight terrorism across this world
Work with NATO to establish joint missile systems and expand funding for missile defense programs
Reform our defense budgeting, and spend our money on programs that work and on items that we need
Support nations that are striving for and fostering democracy
Keep weapons of mass destruction out of the hands of terrorists and continue to work on stopping nuclear proliferation


We have been attacked on our soil multiple times. Our intelligence agencies have failed us and our President has failed to protect us. It is time for leadership that will overhaul our intelligence agencies, so that we thwart terrorists attacks before they occur rather then while they are occurring. We must properly fund our agencies and make sure that we are doing all that we can to make sure that the American people are safe. I will make the tough decisions and ask the tough questions to make sure that our agencies are doing what they are supposed to, in order to protect America and its interests.

Homeland Security
Establish national emergency centers to better respond to emergencies and disasters
Improve security for all our transit systems, chemical and nuclear plants, as well as increase cargo screening at all of our ports
Expand the amount of counter terrorism agents we currently employ and overhaul our intelligence agencies for better performance
Assist our regional governments to expand training for local enforcement agents and provide assistance for equipment and technology
Increase funding for programs that put more police officers on our streets and that reduce crime


Our nation is a nation built by immigrants. We are also a nation of laws and our laws must be followed. We must bring illegal immigrants out of the shadows, and we must deport those who have committed crimes. I will make sure that we enact a fair yet tough policy that cracks down on any and all illegal activity. Allowing immigrants the ability to apply for green cards and permanent residency if they meet certain guidelines such as learning English, securing a job and paying taxes. Businesses that employ illegal immigrants or trample their rights will face tough penalties, and I will make securing the border a priority.

Immigration
Evaluate all immigration funding and programs to effectively protect our borders
Invest in new technology to secure the border
Establish a path to citizenship for immigrant workers who abide by laws
Implement a sensible guest-worker program
Promote and increase the legal immigration process, reduce backlogs and promote family reunification
Crack down on human smuggling and drug rings
Implement an employment eligibility verification system and reduce incentives for illegal immigration



A great education is the gateway to success, it is the gateway to opportunity and accessibility. Every child should have the opportunity to receive a world class education, and the ability to attend college if they wish to. We must properly educate our children so that they can compete in this global economy and lead our country down a path of innovation and new technology for the future. I will work to improve standards within our public schools and increase the amount of choice that parents have in placing their children in schools. I will demand accountability and improvement as well as provide additional funding to make our schools better for every child no matter what race, social standing or climate that they live.

Education
Expand early childhood education and assist states with establishing universal pre-k
Put a quality teacher in every classroom and improve teacher quality
Improve testing, accountability and raise standards by reforming NCLB and increasing funding
Build more schools and improve the quality of existing schools
Grant more funds to states that use innovative means to improve educational standards
Increase federal college grants and loans to make college accessible for all
Increase college tuition tax credit to make college more affordable for families


Strong families and communities are an important and integral part of our country. Our families and communities are what powers this nation. We must always do what we can to strengthen our families and improve our communities. I will enact policy that makes sure that we are doing what is best for our families and communities. It is not the job of the government to raise children, however we can assist in helping strong families prosper in our nation. I will create programs that invests within our communities to create jobs, reduce crime and improve the infrastructure of our great nation. This nation will prosper and grow with the sound policies that are enacted.

Taxes
Provide tax relief for the middle class
Decrease the taxes of small businesses and entrepreneurs and pass legislation that will create new jobs
Provide tax benefits for companies who create jobs, goods and services here
Initiate an urban and rural community renewal program that will conserve land space and revitalize communities
Initiate drug rehabilitation programs with states to stop the effects of drugs within our communities
Work to reduce abortions, promote adoption and family values while protecting women's rights


The millions of Americans that live in poverty need a hand up not a hand out. In order to address the growing problem of poverty here in America, we must make a commitment to assisting those less fortunate. By providing programs that promote life and job skills, and assist with creating opportunity within our rural and urban communities. Focusing on educational success, proper health care coverage and job opportunities we can begin to lift Americans out of poverty. I will create an initiative that commits to lifting people out of poverty and moving more people into the middle class.

Fighting Poverty
Expand the earned income tax credit and eligibility to assist more families
Raise the minimum wage so that it is a livable wage
Expand the child credit to assist more working families
Increase funding and assistance for states to increase the production and availability of affordable housing
Continue to invest in programs that move people off of welfare rolls and into good paying jobs
Reform eligibility requirements and increase assistance for our senior citizens with an increase in SSI benefits and a further reduction in costs of prescription drugs
Expand our funding of job and life skills training programs
Focus upon lifting children out of poverty and make a commitment to fund an end poverty initiative



Every American must have the right to quality affordable health care coverage. That must be a priority that our next President must make sure that we resolve. I will work with businesses, the medical community, and members of both parties to form a comprehensive solution to our health care crisis. I will work with regional governments to increase innovation in medical research and health care coverage. We must reduce the costs and rising premiums within our health care system. All Americans pay for the costs of our health care system, now we must move to reduce the uninsured and reduce the rising costs through a comprehensive solution.

Health Care
Emphasize preventative care
Invest in science and technology to battle and cure diseases
Pass a Patients’ Bill of Rights
Increase investment in the global battle against AIDS
Invest within our IT systems to get a standard movement towards electronic health information
Expand eligibility SCHIP program
Introduce a Health Plan for all Americans to insure the uninsured and introduce quality affordable health care for every American



We have an obligation to address the issue of climate change. And as leaders of this world, we can be a nation that takes steps to clean our environment and lead others to do the same. I will propose bold initiatives that will lessen our dependence on foreign oil and gasoline. Working with other nations to establish a new climate treaty that all can be a part of and on our own terms. America can be a leader in stopping the effects of global warming and it is our duty to do so now. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil and gasoline is not only a global warming and climate change issue, but it is also a national security issue and we will take the steps to clean up our environment.

Environment
Increase buyer tax credits for purchasing energy efficient vehicles
Assist domestic car manufacturers with financial support for health care coverage of retirees if they invest in producing more energy efficient vehicles
Establish a new climate treaty that brings India and China into the folds
Increase research and development in energy technology
Establish a low carbon fuel standard
Enhance and toughen penalties for those who pollute



Faith in politics and our government has fallen, and the people in Washington D.C. are the only ones to blame. Our way of government has been deduced to who can do more for the special interests, and who can get more money to run for re-election. We need to end the effects that special interests have in our policy making, and get government back on track working for the people. I will work hard to make sure that every budget is balanced and stop mortgaging the futures of our future generations by paying down the debt. I will make sure that every American has access without inhibition to vote and increase voter turnout. I will make government transparent and open for all to see and get involved.

Government For All
Introduce strong ethics reform legislation
Promote open government
Pass only balanced budgets and demand fiscal responsibility from Congress
Stop the litany of earmarks and pork barrel spending
Open markets and opportunity with nations playing by the same rules
Simplify taxes
Enact new trade policies that put our workers first
Champion election reform and return integrity to our voting process
Champion the need for responsibility and national service with an initiative that will motivate our future generations to proceed down a path of national service
Secure Social Security for the future generations

[Lance Lillidge]

Press statement approved for immediate release:

Today I would like to announce that Senator Boyd of Texas has agreed to be the National Co-Chair of the Lance Lillidge for President Campaign.

I am honored to have such a distinguished Senator volunteer his time and services to this campaign. With Senator Boyd's experience and energy, I have no doubt that we will deliver a new American century with strong leadership and sound policy.

[Lance Lillidge]

Approved for immediate release:

Senator Lillidge Victory Speech in New Hampshire

Thank you New Hampshire!

First I would like to thank my wife for her support during my time of public service! Thank you to all of the volunteers who gave their time to this campaign and thank you to Senator Boyd, my national campaign co-chair, for all of your hard work.

Tonight the people of New Hampshire have spoken. Through their votes, they have said to America, it is time. It is time for a New American Century!

From time to time time a nation must reflect upon its position in the course of history and this world. America's a position is one of great power, but also of great responsibility. Just under a century ago, American troops set foot on European soil to defeat an enemy intent on imposing an imperial regime upon the free people of Europe.

Only twenty four years later, the United States once again answered the call to arms in the defense of freedom, and we fought a bloody struggle to put an end to tyranny in Japan and Germany. In the place of oppression, democracy flourished, and grew. From the sacrifice of our fathers and grandfathers grew the promise of liberty for people across the world, and without the United States, many of those people would still be under the thumb of tyrants to this day.

This promise, however, could not overcome the destruction of the Second World War for some. A new empire rose in its place, this one a communist threat to our way of life. Intent on the destruction of democracy and the fundamental rights we all enjoy, the Soviet Union attempted to stamp out the fire of liberty. But, through our leadership, the Free World rallied, and the last great outpost of tyranny collapsed.

The 20th century was a violent century, but it was also a great century, and it was our century -- it was a century which saw the defeat of tyrants and the rise of liberty around the world. It saw the final progression of history from oppression to democracy. But today, democracy is not secure. It is threatened by terrorists who would seek to impose their own brand of radical ideologies upon all of us. It's threatened by the growing power of extremism in all corners of the globe. It's threatened by a resurgent movement towards oligarchy and oppression. Democracy, my friends, is in peril.

Once again, a burden has fallen on the United States, and once again, we must act as shepherds for the rest of the world. For years, we have shirked the burden of leading the world into a new day of freedom. We must rise as the world's brightest beacon of liberty and democracy to shine that light upon the darkness of fundamentalism and radical dictatorships across the world.

But, we cannot lead the world when we don't have leadership at home. We need leadership to ensure every American has affordable and quality healthcare through the American Choice Plan. We need, ladies and gentlemen, leadership to do what we all know must be done in order to give every child a world-class education, and the opportunity to achieve even greater heights at university and college. We must show the leadership to return the nation to our heyday of prosperity and strength through balanced budgets and a 10% tax break for the middle class.

We need that leadership at home if we are to be a strong country, and a proud country; ladies and gentlemen, we need that good guidance and governance now more than ever. I'm running for President because I envision a New American Century. I envision a time of leadership, strength, and prosperity, and I know that time is now.

We can choose to continue on the path down which we have traveled for the past eight years, and condemn ourselves to a stagnant and anemic United States, or we can act with courage, dignity, and pride -- we can choose to lead the march of nations into this new century.

America is a great nation, but with strong leadership at home and abroad, we can be even greater. Give me the chance to lead -- I will make you proud, and we will make this a New American Century!

God Bless You and God Bless the United States of America!