Where does Colleen Callahan stand on the issues?
Colleen intends to represent the interests of all the citizens of Central Illinois and make their voices heard in Congress. Here are some of the major issues Colleen cares most deeply about. Colleen wants you to know …
Economic
Energy: The United States needs a comprehensive, long-term national energy plan that will guide the nation to a clean and secure energy future. Our dependence on foreign oil to heat and cool our homes, power our farms and factories, and fuel our cars and trucks is impairing national security and placing our economy at risk. A new U.S. renewable energy future based on a solid plan and supported by sound, enabling policies can create new jobs, strengthen the economy, improve national security and enhance our ability to address climate change challenges through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Read More
Energy Independence/Ethanol: Everybody knows that oil is an energy source that is being depleted. We need to both find alternatives to oil and reduce our dependence on energy from the Middle East. Colleen has been on the forefront of supporting ethanol as an alternative to oil and supports an all-out federal effort to find viable, clean alternative energy sources that would include cellulosic ethanol, wind-generated and solar power sources.
Healthcare: More than 70 million Americans, including nine million children, are either uninsured or underinsured because of rising medical and healthcare costs. Colleen supports quality, affordable and portable healthcare coverage for all Americans, which will benefit the whole society in the long run by reducing health insurance costs for everyone.
Housing Crisis/Foreclosures: The family home is, both literally and figuratively, the foundation of the American dream and the driving force of our economy. Building a house involves virtually every aspect of the local economy, from building materials and landscaping to appliances and furnishings. Colleen believes that the current mortgage crisis is the result of unregulated financial markets that now pose a real danger to our very way of life.
Corporate Greed: Earning a profit is a perfectly legitimate practice by any business, big or small, and a necessity in order to continue operating. However, there is such a thing as too much profit, as in the case of the five Big Oil companies, which reported a record $51.5 billion in profits in the second quarter of 2008 alone. Greed is defined as the “overwhelming desire to have more of something than is actually needed.” That’s the current definition of Big Oil’s fiscal policy. It’s unacceptable, selfish and jeopardizes our economy.
Tax Policy: Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society. Colleen believes in a progressive tax system that asks the more affluent members of our society to contribute more for our national well-being as a matter of economic fairness. Colleen supports making America's tax system more fair for middle-class families.
Labor: Colleen believes that America’s workers are the backbone of our economy and the key to ensuring that our nation remains competitive in the global economy. Colleen strongly supports the right of people to form unions wherever they work. One of her priorities will be protecting workers' pension funds.
Immigration: It is imperative that we protect our borders as well as protect our economy. That means promoting a balanced and comprehensive immigration policy that takes into account the economic realities of our workforce needs.
Foreign Affairs
Iraq/Afghanistan War: It’s time to bring our troops home and let Iraq develop its own form of democracy. This war is costing too much and it’s time to bring it to an orderly close. We must then use some of the billions of dollars spent each month on the war on domestic programs such as schools, healthcare and infrastructure. Colleen traveled to Iraq in November, 2003, at the invitation of USDA Secretary Ann Veneman. This life-changing experience gives her a perspective on the realities of war that few civilians have been privileged to see.
Terrorism: Colleen is greatly concerned about extremism and forms of foreign or domestic terrorism that disturb our way of life. We need to balance the desire to keep our homeland free from terrorist attacks with maintaining our respect for the hallmark of American democracy—liberty. We cannot protect our freedom by removing our freedoms.
International Trade: Trading with the rest of the world is good for our economy and good for our democracy. Colleen supports free trade agreements because they have been good for the agricultural industry in the 18th district, yet we need to do more to help U.S. manufacturing compete with foreign producers both domestically and overseas. The challenge for the next Congress will be to find the right balance between promoting trade while providing a safety net for those who are hurt by trade.
Global Warming: Global warming is a reality the U.S. government can no longer ignore. Colleen believes that in order to fight global problems we need a global strategy and global cooperation. She also recognizes that nothing can be done without taking personal responsibility for the state of our environment.
Social
Right to Privacy: Privacy and the ability of people to feel secure in their persons and personal property from government intrusion is a fundamental tenet of our society. Colleen feels strongly about curtailing excessive government surveillance of our personal thoughts and effects, including our letters, phone-calls and e-mails.
Abortion: Colleen believes that all life matters and bringing a new life into this world should be a very serious decision for everyone. She does not believe that this is a decision she should make for any other woman.
Gay Marriage/Civil Unions: Personally, Colleen believes that the sacrament of marriage is between a man and a woman, but she would support civil unions between gay and lesbian couples as regulated by the individual states.
Capital Punishment: Colleen believes that the death penalty should be reserved only for the most heinous and reprehensible crimes. Recent revelations in our state that innocent people were executed should give pause to all of us. Colleen will work hard to ensure that our judicial system functions properly so no more innocent people suffer the same fate.
Public Education: Our public schools should be halls of education. Our school teachers are performing an invaluable public service. Colleen intends to increase funding for public education, as well as help alleviate the high-debt burden that today’s college students face.
Veterans: Men and women who have bravely sacrificed for our freedom deserve more than our sincere gratitude; they deserve the best health coverage and transition help we can provide them. As the wife of a Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran, Colleen strongly believes our country has a moral obligation to treat our war veterans fairly and humanely in a way befitting the heroes that they are.
Senior Citizens and Social Security: Colleen is committed to ensuring Social Security is solvent and viable for both current and future retirees. Social Security exists to ensure a minimum income for retirees, not just to benefit individuals but also to protect society. Colleen realizes the current system is broken and strongly believes we need a new, bipartisan national initiative to fix Social Security.
If you have questions about Colleen’s stance on an issue, please fill out the section on the right to send her an e-mail. Colleen, or her staff, will get back to you as soon as possible.
