41.  IRAN
We cannot afford a war with Iran and I recognize Iran has some legitimate gripes.  Despite AIPAC, and its Right Wing arm the Neoconservatives, endless propaganda and clamoring for war, I would consult our own National Security Estimate, which is the 16 US spy organizations to assess the strength of Ahmadinejad’s threat. I refuse to follow propaganda. Iran is contained. In my mind Netanyahu is a much bigger threat to world peace than Ahmadinejad. Until we are brave enough to face the reasons why young men want to kill us, taking down dictators and attacking countries is meaningless and only fuels the growing fire. Our blind support of Israel amid the injustice of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, including Israel’s endless Settlement building, is the issue. The unbelievable numbers of youth coming of age – especially in Egypt is a concern. These young people grew up watching the massacre of Jenin, the massacre of Lebanon, the massacre of Gaza, the taking down of Iraq and our occupation of Afghanistan.

On 10-23-11 Ahmadinejad spoke to Fareed Zakaria on GPS. He is not anti-Semitic - just anti-Zionist. Hey - me too! Israel needs to be a good neighbor: stop settlement encroachment, establish solid borders, give restitution for land stolen. In other words, Israel needs to do right by its underclass. Hey! Ever heard of Eminent Domain - if you want someone's property you have to pay for it. I hate to use a cliche but it is so true:  Want peace - seek justice. 

42.  MILITARY COURT vs. FEDERAL COURT

There was a time, not long ago, when the United States set the global standard for liberty and freedom. That reputation has been sullied over the past eight years by Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, and two unnecessary wars with too many civilian causalities, too much blind allegiance to Israel. We must maintain a deep commitment to the rule of law and to the inalienable rights of the individuals. Real security for the United States depends on reclaiming our leadership.

Dianne Feinstein’s most recent bill on this topic was rejected by the Senate and I disagreed. I will work to restore the proper place of Congress in the balance of power, in part through the restoration of Habeas Corpus.  The federal courts have prosecuted hundreds of terrorists successfully without the violation of habeas corpus.  I oppose the use of Presidential signing statements to circumvent the intent of the legislative branch, and ensuring that no one in government is above the law.

Here is the bottom line where I stand:  Military laws and courts should be used when a terrorist is caught elsewhere, but American Federal courts when caught on this soil.  And additionally - no assassination of American citizens here or abroad who we believe are terrorists or enemy combatants.  Speaking of the courts:

43.  SUPREME COURT RULING

What a disappointing ruling! A corporation should not be treated as a person. The Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission outcome was wrong. I'll fight to reverse it.

44.  SOCIAL SECURITY

Social Security is a promise made.  I will fight to make sure that Social Security is always there to support retirees.  I would always say no to risky privatization. I believe in means testing and i strongly believe in voluntary opt-out. We have more millionaires now than ever before, many would gladly delay their benefit for five or ten years in order to gain a tax break and to help those less fortunate.

45.  TRAFFIC and TRAINS

I support needed updates to infrastructure, specifically our highways, rails, harbors, and bridges.  As a Senator I will fight to get our portion of funding sent to Israel annually - the largest recipient of foreign aid - back here in the form of block grants to help transportation, rails, harbors, and our crumbling infrastructure (see my proposed lawsuit  to bring CT money home - CT v. US of America).

We need to improve the tracks on this corridor which will allow high speed trains like the Acela to go from Stamford to Boston in approximately two hours. That would save a bundle on jet fuel. Senator Kerry fought for this too. 

Recently the TIGER Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program was shot down in the Congress.  President Obama wanted $8 Billion for high speed trains. It was shot down. It would generate lots of jobs and opportunity. I felt this was very wrong. Instead I'm sure our congress will fight more costly wars for Israel and more funding for Israel instead of concentrating on our own infrastructure.  And we wonder why we are in trouble as a nation?  Term limits to get the current group of politicians out of office (see my constitutional amendment).

46. GREEN CODES

Make "Green Codes" for communities and integrate them with Boca Codes
(International Building Codes) to make entire communities more energy efficient on new construction. This would reduce everyone’s carbon footprint.

Provide incentives to homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient. Example solar panels or improvements in insulation, etc.

47. LEAVE THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ALONE

I don’t approve of opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling.  We have
untapped areas that have already been purchased by big oil related industries. Also, this just perpetuates more of the same.  A better alternative is "green pork," the federal
financial stimulus for innovation for new technology.

48.  FORECLOSURE
HR – 1322 was a great idea. It would allow homeowners in trouble to find investors to buy into the first mortgage.  However this is currently not allowed. Remove the "no touch condition" to conventional loans. This would save a lot of homes and allow people to get back on their financial feet again without having to leave their homes

President Clinton also has a great new idea in his new book, Back to Work, about this: make the bankers co-owners of the mortgage loan instead of foreclosing.  The bank then reaps the benefit went the house is sold.  Great idea.  Thank you President Clinton.  

49.  STOP PERCY-IZING AND “EUPHEMISTIC SUPPORT GROUPS”

Our politicians appease AIPAC for fear that they will be Percy-ized, which is a Washington term used to describe former Senator Charles Percy of Illinois who felt he lost his re-election because AIPAC funded his pro-Israel rival. AIPAC doesn’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat - all they care about is if you are pro-Israel.

Euphemistic Support Groups are a force to be reckoned with.  Former Senator Paul Findlay almost lost his race due to these zealots.  They descended on his state  150,000 strong, some from as far away as Israel.  They were there to work on his opponent’s campaign.  Their groups always have names that are euphemistic and vague. Names like: Children for Families and Democracy.  Their goal - keep the Congress pro-Israel. It’s a simple philosophy: control every congressional and senate race and you rule the world.

Back in 2008 I met a Euphemistic Support Group in Bridgeport when I was campaigning for Congress. I had been warned and so I recognized them immediately. They screamed “It’s Lee” and they ran over to me. I recognized them as extremists and not local. I questioned them and they said they were from Massachusetts and they here to help Democratic candidates.  I said, “yeah, I’m a Democrat” and they laughed and I laughed.  I knew exactly why they were there.  I didn’t have a prayer in that election and they still boarded buses and came down to fight against me.  They did this because I‘m one of the few who is well-informed regarding Israel and I refuse to throw my country under the bus for Israel in order to get elected.

They know, as I do, that this is a battle for the hearts, minds and money of the American public.  WARNING: If I win this nomination - hundreds of thousands will show up in Connecticut. People world-wide, the people who read, would be watching to see if it is possible for an American politician who is not pro-Israel to get elected.  Prove to them and to Mr. Netanyahu that we can do it. That we can elect even one voice on the floor of the Senate standing up for the best interests of the United States of America.

To our Town leaders here in Connecticut: if a Euphemistic Support Group shows up wanting to help - just turn them away. Tell then, “We don’t need your help here - we’ve got Connecticut under control.” And turn those zealots away.  

The aforementioned are some of AIPAC’s tactics to ensure money for Israel. I'm for taking a tough-love stand with Israel for the good of the United States and Israel. I am not anti-Semitic, just anti-AIPAC, anti-Zionist and against AIPAC’S unchecked power on our election process.

50.  OBESITY
As Americans we need to be proactive about our health before the wake up call of a significant health issue. I applaud First Lady Michelle Obama’s efforts to eliminate childhood obesity; I’d follow her lead to encourage this in our own state.