Does Obama Mean What He Says? : Or Just Words?

Here are a few wake-up calls to the new president that he should take note of - actually he said things that need clarification to the general public - The Heritage Foundation pin points these in the following paragraphs.

December 10, 2008
By Nathaniel Ward

New memos to Barack Obama

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 Affordableby 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 Programby 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