My wife and I were initially drawn to Colorado because of the beauty and inspiration provided by its natural environment, and because of the state’s commitment to ensuring the protection of the Colorado outdoors for future generations. I believe we hold our western heritage -- our land, water, and wildlife -- in trust for our children and that we have a moral obligation to manage our resources responsibly so that they can be enjoyed by the next generation. As a U.S. Senator, I have worked hard to fulfill that obligation.
Since my first day of service as a U.S. Senator, I have heard from Coloradans throughout the state about the importance of keeping our water clean and available. I share those goals and will work hard to protect our water quality and supplies for all Coloradans.
We have an urgent and moral obligation to change the health care system in this country so that every American has affordable access to quality health care and so that we can relieve our families, small businesses, and economy from the catastrophic impacts of high health care costs. We must face this problem head-on and start working towards solving it this year.
I support a comprehensive energy policy that makes a bold commitment to developing renewable energy, prioritizes conservation and efficiency, encourages the use of natural gas, and takes a balanced approach to responsible development of our traditional energy resources. I believe that a new way forward on energy is essential to our national security and for our economic growth, freeing us from oil supplied by hostile governments while powering our economic recovery.
Our security and our freedom do not come without a price. U.S. troops are stationed around the world to protect our way of life -- some of them eventually making the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Like you, I’m grateful and dependent on their service and believe we have a moral responsibility to demonstrate our appreciation through providing veterans excellent health care, pension benefits and help in the transition to civilian life back home.
It is time to put our nation’s fiscal house in order and change the way we do business in Washington. We cannot hope to achieve long-term economic growth and prosperity in the face of a crushing debt and deficits. We must restore fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability to our government.
America owes the Greatest Generation our eternal gratitude for the commitment it made to create a world that is far safer and more prosperous than the one it inherited. Seniors have earned the right to be well taken care of and respected with dignity. Their health care, retirement and financial stability must be among our highest national priorities.
As a father of three girls, I understand that decisions about when to start a family, whether or not to use contraception, and whether to terminate a pregnancy are some of the most personal an individual and her family can make.
Our current immigration system is broken. Our borders are not secure, legal immigration channels do not serve America’s economic needs and instead of bringing families together, too often the system separates them. Despite these serious problems, the debate over immigration policy is often reduced to emotion and kneejerk rhetoric. Our economy and national security depend on stopping the political gamesmanship and creating a system that works. It is time for practical, comprehensive reform that fixes our immigration system as a whole -- enhancing border security and creating sound policy solutions for undocumented immigration.
We are living at a time of unprecedented economic pain and anxiety—widespread job losses, families losing their homes or struggling to make mortgage payments, and companies that have been American mainstays downsizing significantly or closing altogether. There is plenty of bad news to go around. That’s why now, above all other times, is the time for a new approach.
We live in a time of unprecedented challenges: we are fighting a war against terrorism, battling for the revitalization and stability of the global economy, facing the potentially catastrophic effects of global climate change, and working to achieve energy independence. We cannot fight these battles using the same reckless policies that we have over the last eight years. Our future security depends on our ability to take a new approach to these challenges using the strength of our military, the power of diplomacy, and the wisdom of our people.
Colorado’s farmers and ranchers and our rural communities are a vital part of our economy. My first request as a United States Senator was to serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. I am on the Committee to stand up for Colorado agriculture and to ensure that Washington politics do not diminish a way of life that has been so important to our country’s economic security and fundamental to the spirit of Colorado and the West.
