New memos to Barack Obama
December 9, 2008 | By Nathaniel Ward
The Heritage Foundation has released three new memos to President-elect Barack Obama on important issues facing the country: education, energy and visa reform.
As a candidate, the President-elect campaigned on several issues important to conservatives, but it remains to be seen what policies he will ultimately enact. Seeking common ground, The Heritage Foundation is reaching out to him with specially designed policy memos on subjects where his words line up with our vision of how to solve the most critical issues facing America.
The first four memos were released last week. Here are the next three in the "Change We Believe In" series:
- Transforming and Improving American Education
by Dan Lips and Jennifer Marshall
President-elect Obama said, "We need a new vision for a 21st century education--one where we aren't just supporting existing schools, but spurring innovation; where we're not just investing more money, but demanding more reform; where parents take responsibility for their children's success; where our schools and government are accountable for results; where we're recruiting, retaining, and rewarding an army of new teachers, and students are excited to learn because they're attending schools of the future; and where we expect all our children not only to graduate high school, but to graduate college and get a good paying job."
Giving more power to the federal government has been ineffective in producing education reform, Heritage experts argue. The key to excellence in our schools is to give parents, not bureaucrats, more power in the education of our children, and the next administration will be astute to remember this.
- Making Domestic Energy Affordable
by Ben Lieberman and Jack Spencer
President-elect Obama said, "I believe in the need for increased oil production. We're going to have to explore new ways to get more oil, and that include offshore drilling," and he said: "I don't think that we can take nuclear power off the table. What we have to make sure of is that we have the capacity to store waste properly and safely, and that we reduce whatever threats might come from terrorism. And if we can do that in a technologically sound way, then we should pursue it."
Heritage experts applaud this position, but are concerned that the President-elect will either turn to other issues because of the temporary decrease in gasoline prices or that he will undercut a sound energy policy by imposing costly restrictions and mandates.
- Strengthening the Visa Waiver Program
by Jena Baker McNeill, James Carafano and James Dean
President-elect Obama said, "We should work to include countries like Poland that are members of both the EU and NATO into the Visa Waiver Program. Today's visa regime reflects neither the current strategic relationship nor the close historic bonds between our peoples, and is out of date."
The President-elect's stance on the Visa Waiver Program, which strengthens American security while offering expedited travel to the U.S. for participating countries, offers "substantial public diplomacy benefits," Heritage experts say. It is a "vital tool for improving America's image around the globe." The incoming administration can strengthen the visa waiver program by making the program more user-friendly, continuing an open dialogue with "roadmap" countries, and reconsidering the current exit requirements.
— David Talbot
Other Heritage work of note
- Heritage is advertising its upcoming full-length documentary on ballistic missile defense, 33 Minutes, in six major online venues: the Drudge Report, Human Events, Military.com, National Review Online, Townhall.com and the Washington Times. The film débuts in February.
- The perfect present — a Heritage Foundation necktie by Vineyard Vines. These elegant ties feature The Heritage Foundation bell on navy, red, green or raspberry. Made of hand-woven silk and a standard 56 inches long, these ties are a wonderful addition to any wardrobe. Order your tie online today for $35, or call (800) 544-4843. Order by December 18 to receive your tie in time for Christmas.
- Douglas Holtz-Eakin, who served as chief economist for the Council of Economic Advisers and director of the Congressional Budget Office, will work with Heritage's Center for Data Analysis on several key projects over the next two months. Most recently, Holtz-Eakin was Senator John McCain's domestic policy advisor during the presidential campaign.
- Video recordings of last week's conference on Religious Practice and Health are available for online viewing.
In other news
- Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff were arrested today on a variety of criminal charges including the attempted sale of the state's vacant Senate seat.
- Thousands of youths are rioting in Greece after police shot and killed a teenager on Saturday.
- In an effort to secure his legacy, President Bush is defending his doctrine of preventative warfare.
- A panel set up to oversee the Treasury's $700 billion bailout is expected to release a highly critical report on Wednesday.
- Good news on missile defense: "The U.S. military [on Saturday] shot down a missile in a test simulating a long-range ballistic missile attack by a potential adversary such as North Korea or Iran, senior defense officials said."
- The Associated Press reports that farmers are angry at the government's proposed fees imposed on cows and hogs. The onerous new fees, which could drive up prices at the grocery store and put farmers out of business, would be part of an effort to control global warming.
Coming up at Heritage
To attend these or any other events at Heritage please RSVP at Heritage's website. Or you can view these events live online. All times are Eastern.
- On Thursday, December 11 at 11:00 a.m., Professor William Campbell will deliver a lecture titled: "Magna Carta and Liberty: Edward the Confessor to the Glorious Revolution."
- On Thursday, December 11 at noon, Professor Burt Folsom will deliver a lecture titled "Learning From the New Deal: How FDR's Economic Legacy has Damaged America."
Nathaniel Ward is the Editor of MyHeritage.org—a website for members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation. David Talbot contributed to this report.
