Al Franken MyOcracy topics and responses

Criminal Justice

Use of treatment centers for violators of criminal laws targeting drug-use

• 09/16/2010: Wrote two movies about drug addiction and its horrors
• 09/16/2010: Admitted drug use during days as TV comedian
• 04/01/2004: Drug abuse isn`t immoral; hypocrisy about it is

Civil Rights

Prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

• 03/03/2010: Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays
• 06/24/2009: ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays
• 06/05/2008: Apologizes for stigmatizing hermaphrodites & conjoined twins

  Abortion rights: Women should choose

• 11/13/2013: Ban anti-abortion limitations on abortion services
• 12/17/2009: Sponsored emergency contraception at military facilities

  Support for gun control measures

• 04/17/2013: Voted YES on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets
• 01/22/2013: Ban large-capacity ammunition

Economic Issues

Taxes for large corporations: Increase

• 08/13/2008: Level the playing field for middle class against industry

  Taxes for wealthier tax payers: More

• 03/22/2012: Minimum tax rate of 30% for those earning over $1 million

Education Issues

Increase per pupil funding

• 04/11/2013: Sponsored extending subsidized federal student loan rates until 2015
• 09/21/2011: $25B to renovate or repair elementary schools
• 03/09/2008: Improve low-performing schools instead of punishing them

  Oppose school vouchers

• 03/09/2008: Fully fund our public schools

Environmental Issues

Eliminate tax incentives and/or subsidies to the fossil fuel industry

• 09/09/2008: US failed to lead by refusing to sign onto the Kyoto accords
• 03/09/2008: Apollo project for renewable energy development
• 03/09/2008: Investing in renewable energy is win-win-win-win-win

  Use tax incentives for wind energy development and use

• 10/17/2008: Tax credits for wind-power, not for oil companies

  Support cap-and-trade programs to address industrial emissions

• 09/09/2008: Supports cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gases

Healthcare Issues

Require all taxpayers to obtain full-coverage health insurance

• 05/14/2008: We need to go to universal health care
• 03/09/2008: Universal health care as soon as possible

  Lower eligibility age for Medicare to increase coverage of older taxpayers

• 04/14/2011: Increase funding for occupational & physical therapy

  Provide single-payer health insurance coverage to all taxpayers direct from government

• 03/09/2008: Full funding for state-based coverage, but not single payer

Immigration

Provide amnesty for undocumented individuals

• 03/09/2008: Enforce immigration law at the worksite, not at the border
• 03/09/2008: We need comprehensive immigration reform