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Our country deserves a break from the failed policies of the past.
Our arms sales and military aid programs have created widespread
anti-American sentiment. Our nuclear weapons policies are encouraging
nuclear proliferation. Our approach to the international community
is leading to growing isolationism and foreclosing meaningful leadership.
US foreign policy is taking our country, and the rest of the world,
in the wrong direction. We'll make our country safer by affirming
our values, not abandoning them.
Three Steps to a Safer World
We need a foreign policy based on Amercian values. Policies based
on the following principles will help to increase global stability
without creating further anti-American sentiment.
1. Support Human Rights and Democracy 
We should exhibit international leadership by opposing the policies
of human rights abusers, not rewarding them with weapons.
Democracy and human rights are ideals that the American people
hold dear. Our elected officials have not held true to these values.
Sadly, our country leads the world in providing arms sales and military
training to human rights abusing governments and dictatorships.
When US weapons are used to prop up governments hated by their own
people, bitterness is the result. When we sell weapons worldwide,
those arms end up being used against our own troops. Talking
Points
2. Reduce the Threat from Weapons of Mass Destruction
Our nation should lead a worldwide campaign to reduce and control
the threat from weapons of mass destruction - a policy we could
be proud of.
We face no greater threat than nuclear weapons and other weapons
of mass destruction. Such weapons are only effective as a means
of terror - that can be aimed at us as well as others. The only
way to be safe from this threat is to destroy the stockpiles and
secure those facilities that make nuclear materials. Instead of
leading efforts to secure and dismantle nuclear weapons, the Bush
Administration wants to build new ones. Spending billions on a missile
defense that won't work while building new nuclear weapons will
only speed the pace of nuclear proliferation. Talking
Points
3. Cooperate with the World Community
We should play a positive, leadership role in the world community,
planning strategies for a future we can all live with.
The Declaration of Independence urged "a decent respect for the
opinions of mankind." Our foreign policy isn't reflecting that core
value. Our elected officials have abandoned or blocked a host of
international agreements on arms control, human rights, the environment,
and the International Criminal Court. Instead of promoting "pre-emptive
strikes," the US needs to promote policies that address the larger
needs of the world community and that minimize the potential for
hate and anger. The US has the strength and ability to better the
working and living conditions of human kind, and to increase our
own security in the process - but only if we lead through cooperation.
Talking Points
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