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DNC Issue Platforms:
Agriculture and Aquaculture:
Farming
is important to all North Carolinians, and we respect the contributions
made by farmers and agribusiness to our economy and our way of life. A
sound farm economy supports rural economic development, provides
thousands of jobs on and off the farm, and provides food for all of us.
We support efforts that will aid our farmers in adjusting to economic
changes in a manner that allows them increasing efficiency,
productivity, and profitability.
Growing, harvesting, selling, processing and transporting agricultural
goods and products have been a way of life for North Carolinians for
generations. We pledge our support for increased agricultural research
and education, and expanded government efforts to develop regional,
statewide, and international markets for our farm products. We also
support environmentally safe and economically viable means of animal
waste disposal, and cooperation to prevent the conversion of prime
farmland to non-farming uses. We believe the values of the small family
farm are what make North Carolina great.
North Carolinians have also relied on our state's abundant waters as a
means of livelihood for generations. Realizing the economic and
cultural impact which this industry has, we will strive to preserve and
promote the jobs which aquaculture and maritime businesses provide to
the citizens of our state. More Issue Platforms...
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Heath Schuler
For
Congressman Shuler is committed to protecting America’s working
families. He advocated for raising the minimum wage and ending the
unfair trade agreements that have shipped thousands of American jobs
overseas. He is currently working to ensure that America’s trade
agreements do not result in lost jobs and protect the environment and
the rights of all workers.
Congressman Shuler is also a loyal member of the fiscally responsible
Blue Dog Caucus, which works to end wasteful spending and to balance
the budget. Upon entering the 110th Congress he helped lead the charge
to restore common-sense PAYGO measures to the budget and install
accountability and transparency over “earmarks.”
An avid hunter who raises and trains Labrador Retrievers for field
trialing, Congressman Shuler is deeply devoted to land conservation,
the protection of our National Parks and Forests, and curbing global
warming. For the past two years he has led the fight against proposals
from the Administration to sell off thousands of acres of National
Forest land. Congressman Shuler is also a vocal supporter of investing
in sustainable energy to reduce America’s dependence on petroleum. More...
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In The National News
U.S. Adults Trust Democratic Presidential Candidate Obama More Than Presumptive GOP Nominee McCain On Health Care
Fifty-five percent of U.S. adults trust Democratic presidential
candidate Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) more than presumptive Republican
nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) to address the issue of health care,
compared with 31% who trust McCain more than Obama to address the
issue, according to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll, the Post
reports.
For the poll, conducted between May 8 and 11, TNS interviewed by
telephone a random sample of 1,122 adults nationwide. The poll had a
margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points
(Washington Post graphic, 5/13). The poll found that fewer than 10% of
adults cited health care as their most important issue in the election,
compared with 36% who cited the economy and 21% who cited the war in
Iraq.
In addition, the poll asked adults about their opinions on the
direction of the nation and other issues, as well as which candidates
they considered most able to address various concerns. The poll also
examined who would win a general election between Obama and McCain or
an election between Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary
Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and McCain (Cohen/Balz, Washington Post, 5/13).
Opinion Pieces
Click here for summaries of editorials and an opinion pieces on health care in the presidential election.
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Local: June Update From Robin
Cape
 It's been a busy couple of months on council and I have been immersed in a number of different projects that have kept me
busy.
As you have probably heard by now City Council has taken some very
important steps in addressing our organizational energy usage with the
adoption of two important resolutions. These resolutions were initially
passed in Dec of 06 and then sent to the Sustainable Advisory Committee
on Energy and the Environment, a newly formed citizens committee tasked
with fleshing out the questions, concerns and issues of Council on
these important topics. More on Local Issues
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Asheville City Council
News
A
local campaign to spur Asheville City Council to formally adopt a
living-wage policy for city employees gained some ground at Council’s
May 22 meeting, but specific proposals to mandate an annual wage
increase or to favor conforming private contractors caused concern.
The Asheville/Buncombe Living Wage Campaign first came before Council
in March with a request that the city commit to paying its employees a
living wage based on the Campaign’s calculations. Taking into account
housing costs, the group set the bar at $9.50 per hour for workers with
health benefits and $10.86 an hour for workers without. More...
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News From The Buncome County
Commission
The
May 15 meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners led off
with a bit of news. To those present, Chairman Nathan Ramsey read the
text of an e-mail from Ken Maxwell, community relations manager for
Progress Energy, which was addressed to County Manager Wanda Greene.
The power company has been involved in a years-long negotiation for an
oil-fed power plant planned to be sited on county land in Woodfin.
Last month, the Woodfin Board of Adjustment refused to approve the
plan. That left persistent questions about the lease agreement between
Progress and Buncombe County, and the disposition of the Woodfin
property. More...
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