I am a progressive Democrat, and I believe that a progressive direction is necessary to implement the environmental, economic, energy, educational, gay rights, and universal health care policy changes we need for our country. We need to start now to change economic policy. We cannot continue the failed Republican policies of the last eight years as our current incumbent wishes to do. The most important policy we can work on is rebuilding the economy and creating jobs for the future of the American middle-class.

We must restore federal support for education in order to prepare our children for the good paying jobs of the future. The Republicans, and Dave Reichert, were directly involved in removing educational funding from President Obama's stimulus bill. Their flimsy excuse was that education funding should be included in a general funding bill, not in a stimulus package. This funding would have immediately created good jobs in an area that is sorely needed by our children. We know where the shortages in funding are and they are too many to count. We should not be neglecting education and our children for bureaucratic standards.

The need for universal health care becomes even more important during economic hard times. The poor economic situation is also having an impact on public health. As people loose their jobs, they loose their health insurance, access to health care services and the ability to afford needed medication. The stress accompanied by the bad economy is directly linked to an increase in illness and death. Also, the cost in late or deferred care escalates the costs of national health care by people waiting until they are so sick they seek services in emergency rooms which are far more costly than a visit to a family doctor earlyn in the disease process. Also, reduced income can further affect people's ability to buy needed nutritious food for their families. This can further have a permanent affect on children's physical and mental development, which can affect their ability to learn.

Equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people should be considered a national issue and not left to an individual state's discriminatory policies. People must be free to travel the country for jobs, to meet other needs and wants, and have their rights upheld across the country. LGBT partners should be entitled to the same rights married people have to family medical leave, federal and state tax benefits, retirement benefits, and insurance benefits. These rights should not be subject to laws that restrict their right to marry. Finally, we should repeal the federal military “don't ask, don't tell” policy and the Defense of Marriage Act. A federal policy of social, legal and economic discrimination wastes the talents, skills and abilities of some people and damages us all.

Environmental policy directly affects public health, currently to its detriment. For example, the lack of focus on improving the environment leads to an increase in cancer, allergies and lung disorders. These effects are even more pronounced in economically deprived areas of the country where polluting industries are allowed to function. In addition, the degrading of the environment is leading to changing climate patterns, a loss of animal life and the destruction of the planet.

The need for a strong focus on renewable energy sources is obviously tied to our environmental well-being, the general population's health and our economy. To continue to rely on fossil fuels degrades our environment, our health and risks both our economy and safety by funneling money to those who fund terrorists who threaten our safety.

We have a lot of work to do here. But we will start now.