Ask your presidential candidate what he or she would do to fix DHS in the next administration. If you get an answer, please send it to fixdhs@citizensforethics.org and it will be posted at HomelandSecurityForSale.org.

Click here to read the responses

Responses:

*John Edwards:

Thank you for writing John Edwards about homeland security. We appreciate that you took the time to share your thoughts and concerns with us. We enjoy hearing ideas from people all over the country about the issues that are important to them.

Homeland security is not just a matter of borders and protecting valuable targets. We must also improve our readiness by working more with the people who serve us and the warning systems that tell us when something has gone wrong.

John Edwards has outlined a strategy to strengthen America's defenses against the threat of further terrorist attacks. We must tighten our border security, strengthen security at the likeliest targets of terrorist attacks, and improve our domestic readiness so that we are always prepared to respond to threats.

John Edwards supports a range of measures that would protect our first responders, including strengthening staffing, better protecting their health, and employing the National Guard more effectively. He supports substantial increases in the ranks of the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol, and consular officials to secure our borders. John Edwards also supports dramatically increasing the screening of containers at foreign and U.S. ports and of air cargo. We need tougher standards to protect our chemical plants and computer networks. And, we need to involve more communities in providing homeland security at home.

John Edwards believes that winning the fight against terrorists requires wisdom and moral strength, as well as military might. Your thoughts on homeland security are important to us and we appreciate hearing from you.

Again, thank you for sharing your ideas with us.

Sincerely,
The Edwards Team

*Dennis Kucinich:

Thank you for writing back to us.

I have posted an interview with Dennis Kucinich in Salon.com below.

The reason I have posted this article in response to your question about the Department of Homeland Security is because the approach of Dennis Kucinich in a nutshell, can be summed up with our campaign theme from 2004, "Fear Ends, Hope Begins" and 2008, "Strength through Peace".
In the article below, Dennis talks about his plans for a Works Green Administration (WGA). Dennis and the supporters, volunteers and his staff see a connection between Global Warring and Global Warming.

Dennis believes in taking a peaceful approach in international relations. Instead of being at war and forcing other nations to prepare for war, Dennis believes in diplomacy.

Dennis, supporters, volunteers and staff also believe that environmental sustainability will help us to be a more secure nation, as you will see in the article I posted below. Dennis, supporters, volunteers and staff understand that this is a nation of immigrants. Dennis also believes that NAFTA, CAFTA and the WTO have made conditions in the countries South of our border very difficult for small family farmers and he has great compassion for people crossing our borders in order to look for work and survive.

Dennis also believes that real "Homeland Security" is Economic Security, which is a different approach than the discussion about building fences on the border. Dennis believes in trade agreements that involve labor rights and laws to protect the environment. Dennis does believe in defending our country, but he does not believe in a governmental system based on pre-emptive war and being at war. He believes peace is inevitable.

I hope that the interview in Salon, that I have posted below, gives you a more fluid idea of the philosophy of Dennis Kucinich and the kind of country that we could live in if he is elected President.

In hope and in peace,
Linda Zoblotsky
Volunteer
Kucinich for President, 2008

Read more: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/12/11/kucinich_qa/print.html

*Ron Paul:

The Department of Homeland Security has been plagued with corruption
since its creation. Still, it grows more corrupt each day. There is no
accountability. There are no successful programs. It wastes money paid
by citizens through the income tax.

Because of this, the DHS should simply be shut down. There is no need
to keep a bureaucratic, unaccountable, wasteful organization propped
up. Dr. Paul would get rid of this department as soon as possible.

Thanks for taking the time to email Congressman Paul. If you'd be
interested in supporting the campaign there are three things you can do:

1) Meet Ups. Get involved with your local meet up group. The grassroots
support for the Congressman has been tremendous. Most of this is coming
from the meet up groups. You can learn more about this at
http://ronpaul.meetup.com/.

2) Donate. The congressman is doing well in fundraising, but running a
national election takes a great deal of financial resources. If you
could spare a few dollars for the campaign your generous donation would
be very welcome. Please donate online at:
https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate/

3) Volunteer. The campaign is growing by leaps and bounds. But, we need
people who are willing to help with meet up groups, going to rallies,
telephone calls, etc. Any time you can donate to the campaign would be
welcome. Sign up to volunteer here:
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/get-involved/

As always, feel free to contact us:
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/contact.

Your in freedom,
Robert Greene
Volunteer - Ron Paul 2008

Read more: http://www.antiwar.com/paul/paul54.html