The Democratic National Convention begins next week in Charlotte, N.C. Chip Reid spoke to Charlotte's mayor, Anthony Foxx, about the DNC, which he views as a turning point for his city. We will work to expand free and fair trade in the Americas as well. For all those who live under our flag, we support strong economic development and will work towards fair and equitable treatment under federal programs. Efforts to get the convention in Charlotte were successful because of cooperation by both Democrats and Republicans, Monroe said. A 21st century regulatory system must promote economic growth, innovation, and job creation while also protecting public health and welfare. Responding to Humanitarian Crises. The President remains committed to creating an economy that's built to last, where home ownership is an achievable dream for all Americans. But these are steps in the right direction. We will strengthen Medicaid and oppose efforts to block grant the program, slash its funding, and leave millions more without health insurance. President Obama will continue to seek additional opportunities for cooperation with China, including greater communication between our militaries. Democrats are committed to protecting our natural resources while creating jobs, preserving habitats, and ensuring that future generations can enjoy our nation's outdoor heritage. We are committed to protecting all communities from violence. Click on the headlines below for continuing coverage of the Democratic National Convention by the Charlotte Business Journal: DNC in photos: A look inside the convention Oct. 18, 2012 Many of our alliances were strained, and our standing in the world had diminished. Mitt Romney thought the government's action would destroy the auto industry; he and Republican leaders opposed the support President Obama extended to rescue an iconic industry. Now, we must continue the work we've started so that the United States of America never fails to meet the tests of our time. The administration is also committed to taking action at home to fight trafficking, including the sex trafficking of young girls. This approach includes tough spending cuts that will bring annual domestic spending to its lowest level as a share of the economy in 50 years, while still allowing us to make investments that benefit the middle class now and reduce our deficit over a decade. That is why we will always vigorously oppose the type of tax reform supported by Mitt Romney, which independent experts have found would require raising taxes on typical families with children by at least $2,000 if it were paid for. Voting Rights. Advancing Global Development. Democrats know that America prospers when we're all in it together. I got a loan from a local community bank and the Small Business Administration, which saved my business. That's why putting Americans back to work is Job One. At the same time, the President has made clear that there will be no lasting peace unless Israel's security concerns are met. Where appropriate, we are also committed to working with states and U.S. territories to support innovation in exchange for accountability and results. When Michelle Obama stepped out onstage at the Democratic National Convention… There is more to do. The Democratic national convention in Charlotte has been plunged into chaos with a row over Israel threatening to overshadow Bill … The President has therefore made a deliberate and strategic decision that the United States will play a larger and long-term role in shaping this region and its future. In the fall of 2008, when the financial system and economy were on the verge of catastrophic collapse, the last administration put in place the Troubled Asset Relief Program. In addition, consistent with the task force report, we will continue to work on improving Puerto Rico's economic status by promoting job creation, education, health care, clean energy, and economic development on the Island. At OnTheIssues.org, you can see the view of every candidate on every issue. This election is not simply a choice between two candidates or two political parties, but between two fundamentally different paths for our country and our families. Democrats are committed to ensuring that Americans with disabilities can exercise their right to vote and have access to the polls. This is an evidence-based plan that is guided by science and seeks to direct resources to the communities at greatest risk, including gay men, black and Latino Americans, substance users, and others at high risk of infection. The President put in place unprecedented ethics reforms and we're fighting for campaign finance reform. They are more concerned with playing politics than supporting families in this country. That is why we are stronger abroad, and safer and more secure at home, than we were four years ago. We oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right. President Obama and the Democratic Party will continue to lead efforts to facilitate the access of Americans with disabilities to the middle class, employment opportunities, and the ability to lead full, productive, and satisfying lives. But instead of promoting the national interest, Republicans have blocked immigration reform in Congress and used the issue as a political wedge. Because the Caribbean is an important region to our country, we will continue to support robust trade and economic relationships with our partners there. We are also committed to reforming the corporate tax code to lower tax rates for companies in the United States, with additional relief for those locating manufacturing and research and development on our shores, while closing loopholes and reducing incentives for corporations to shift jobs overseas. Both publicly and privately, the President has made clear to the Chinese government that it needs to take steps to appreciate its currency so that America is competing on a level playing field. Their troubling and familiar economic scheme doubles down on the same bad ideas of the last decade while arguing that, somehow, this time, they'll lead to a different result. President Obama will also make it easier for Americans to save on their own for retirement and prepare for unforeseen expenses by participating in retirement accounts at work. We understand that poverty disproportionately affects communities of color and we are committed to working with those most affected by poverty. That's why the President and the Democratic Party supported the Post-9/11 G.I. In Libya, we built an international coalition and intervened alongside NATO and other partner nations to protect the Libyan people and support them as they ended Muammar Qadhafi's brutal reign. Democrats believe that getting an education is the surest path to the middle class, giving all students the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and contribute to our economy and democracy. As we move towards lower carbon emissions, we will continue to support smart, energy efficient manufacturing. They're why we helped American families who are working multiple jobs and struggling to pay the bills save a little extra money through tax cuts, lower health care costs, and affordable student loans. for the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) from Sunday, September 2 through Thurs-day, September 6, 2012. We are the party of inclusion and respect differences of perspective and belief. Today American carmakers and auto workers are helping to drive a stronger recovery. We've created a Social Innovation Fund that is leveraging millions in private sector dollars to invest in programs with a proven track record of success. Moving forward, we will continue to nominate and confirm judges who are men and women of unquestionable talent and character and will always demonstrate their faithfulness to our law and our Constitution and bring with them a sense of how American society works and how the American people live. Our plant shut down and I was laid off. Securing Loose Nuclear Materials. But by the time President Obama took office, we had lost sight of those goals. “In early 2009, the auto industry was collapsing. Gay Rights as Human Rights. For too long, overlapping responsibilities among agencies have made it harder, rather than easier, for our small businesses to interact with their government. The story of the United States would not be possible without the generations of immigrants who have strengthened our country and contributed to our economy. We will not back down from ensuring that everyone has a seat at the American table and the opportunity to grab the first rung on the ladder to the middle class. These networks continue to expand dramatically in size and scope, harming people worldwide, posing threats to stability, and subverting government institutions through corruption. We have reformed international institutions to give emerging economies a greater role and more responsibility. President Obama has charted a new mission for NASA to lead us to a future that builds on America's legacy of innovation and exploration. We will work as partners to the people of Guam on military matters, and take seriously the unique health care challenges that Pacific Island communities face. President Obama has pledged to encourage colleges to keep their costs down by reducing federal aid for those that do not, investing in colleges that keep tuition affordable and provide good value, doubling the number of work-study jobs available to students, and continuing to ensure that students have access to federal loans with reasonable interest rates. The al-Qaeda core may be on the path to defeat, but the organization and its affiliates remain active in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and elsewhere. We are saving consumers money on their energy bills - both at home and at the pump - but Republican energy policy is full of empty rhetoric and bad ideas that would make their Big Oil donors even richer at the expense of the middle class. The President and the Democratic Party recognize America's enduring interest in supporting peace and prosperity in Europe, as well as bolstering the strength and vitality of NATO, which is critical to the security of the continent and beyond. We will continue to advocate for the use of this clean fossil fuel, while ensuring that public and environmental health and workers' safety are protected. September 7, 2012. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius speaks to the audience at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012 on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). The Budget Control Act enacted by Congress last year, with the support of Republicans and Democrats alike, mandates reductions in federal spending, including defense spending. And we will continue to put unprecedented pressure on cartel finances, including in the United States. Cybersecurity threats represent one of the most serious potential national security, public safety, and economic challenges we face. Today, our economy is growing again, al-Qaeda is weaker than at any point since 9/11, and our manufacturing sector is growing for the first time in more than a decade. September 07, 2012. That is why we are substantially reducing the population at Guantánamo Bay without adding to it. The first night of the 2012 Democratic National Convention included presentation of the party platform for a final vote… That is why Democrats are fighting to give every responsible homeowner the chance to refinance their home, spurring investment in communities that have been hit hardest by foreclosure, and taking whatever steps we can to avoid more foreclosures. And, like so many of us, I was scared. And after an interim period in which we continued to advise Iraqis and conduct counterterrorism operations, we completed the drawdown of all U.S. troops last December. “America's metro areas - cities and suburbs working in partnership - are home to 86 percent of the nation's jobs. Free and Fair Trade. We will continue to fight for the right of all workers to organize and join a union. Historic investments in clean energy technologies have helped double the electricity we get from wind and solar. China can be a partner in reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, countering proliferation in Iran, confronting climate change, increasing trade, and resolving other global challenges. House Democratic Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., addresses the Democratic National Convention at the Time Warner Arena in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, September 5, 2012… We believe in an America where everybody gets a fair shot and everybody plays by the same set of rules. But there is more to be done. They think that if we simply eliminate protections for families and consumers, let Wall Street write its own rules again, and cut taxes for the wealthiest, the market will solve all our problems on its own. This means directing more energy toward crucial problems, including longstanding threats like nuclear proliferation and emerging dangers such as cyber attacks, biological weapons, climate change, and transnational crime. Unlike those in the other party, we will find a solution to protect Social Security for future generations. But real progress has already been made. The path to restoring middle class security is through the basic values that made our country great. An Economy that Out-Educates the World and Offers Greater Access to Higher Education and Technical Training. At the same time, we will continue to emphasize forward engagement in critical regions, while enhancing robust security partnerships to share the burden. We know that transparent and effective government makes economic sense. For that reason, we are committed to an unrelenting pursuit of those who would kill Americans or threaten our homeland, our allies, our partners, and our interests around the world. At the same time, those regulations have more than 25 times the net benefits of the previous administration's regulations. Democrats believe that the right to organize and collectively bargain is a fundamental American value; every American should have a voice on the job and a chance to negotiate for a fair day's pay after a hard day's work. Going forward, we need to further improve the ability of NATO countries to operate collectively. Building on the strong foundation created during the previous administration, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has expanded its prevention, care, and treatment programming. Even as President Obama remains committed to working with both parties, he and his cabinet pursued a series of executive actions to help spark economic growth and job creation, including expanding access to refinancing for families who have stayed current on their mortgages, challenging Community Health Centers to hire veterans, accelerating permitting for transportation projects, cutting waste and reducing improper payments, and enabling student loan borrowers to cap their payments at a percentage of income. Under President Obama, we have undertaken the most significant efforts in decades to engage the Cuban people. Our nation is experiencing some of the greatest challenges in a generation, but it is also a time of great opportunity if we come together as a community. Beyond 2014, we will continue to provide counterterrorism and training assistance and to build an enduring relationship with Afghanistan, as outlined by the U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement concluded in May. That has allowed us to target force with greater precision against those who want to harm Americans and attack the United States and move away from the type of large-scale military deployments characteristic of the previous administration and favored by many Republicans today. This administration has committed to hiring 100,000 Americans with disabilities within the federal government by 2015, and has proposed new rules to create employment opportunities with federal contractors. But when the housing bubble burst, it hurt everyone, including responsible homeowners who played by the rules, but saw their home values decline and their neighbors' houses sit vacant. That's why President Obama and Democrats in Congress have enacted infrastructure investments that will sustain our Highway Trust Fund and provide states, U.S. territories, and communities with two years of funding to build needed infrastructure. We remain committed to eliminating disparities in health and will continue to make sure families have access to mental health and substance abuse services. DNC 2012: Obama’s speech to the Democratic National Convention (Full transcript) - The Washington Post. We have taken steps to open new markets to American products, while ensuring that other countries play by the same rules. Obama Rocks Democratic Convention 1 / 259 President Barack Obama laughs with his wife Michelle and his daughters Malia and Sasha after his speech to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. Faith has always been a central part of the American story, and it has been a driving force of progress and justice throughout our history. The Affordable Care Act is opening access to health insurance to Americans with disabilities who were previously excluded because of pre-existing conditions, expanding access to Medicaid, and helping Medicaid to support home- and community-based services to keep people in their communities. September 4, 2012 10:50 PM ET. Because the President and the Democratic Party believe in the right to organize and in supporting America's workers with strong labor laws, the President rolled back harmful labor policies designed to undermine collective bargaining rights. At the same time, the United States will continue to work with international partners to break up black markets, detect and intercept nuclear materials in transit, and use financial tools to disrupt this dangerous trade. And we continue to fight for measures that would strengthen the recovery and create jobs now, including keeping teachers and first responders on the job, putting construction workers back to work by investing in our roads, bridges, schools, and water supply, helping families refinance their mortgages and save hundreds of dollars a month, cutting taxes for small businesses that invest and hire, and putting veterans back to work. We Democrats offer America the opportunity to move our country forward by creating an economy built to last and built from the middle out. President Barack Obama will announce his acceptance of the democratic nomination for re-election. Democrats know that voter identification laws can disproportionately burden young voters, people of color, low-income families, people with disabilities, and the elderly, and we refuse to allow the use of political pretexts to disenfranchise American citizens. It's a vision that says we prosper when we realize that we are all in it together and stand united as a nation without dividing or excluding people. The bridge's collapse and repair shows the importance of our infrastructure and the strength of American steel. We must help state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement work together to combat and prevent drug crime and drug and alcohol abuse, which are blights on our communities. The President led an unprecedented international effort in response to Haiti's natural disaster, committing over $3.1 billion to relief, reconstruction, and recovery, and launching a multifaceted effort to improve health, promote food security, and strengthen economic security. The administration will not put aside our differences but will raise them directly with the Russian government. LIBERTARIAN May 4-6, 2012 - Las Vegas, NV. That's why we have committed to ending veterans' homelessness by 2015, and have launched new partnerships with the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and with veterans' organizations to do just that. Pakistan can be a partner in that process. 10:24 P.M. EDT. Our opponents have shown a shocking willingness to gut these programs to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest, and we fundamentally reject that approach. Elsewhere in the region, President Obama is committed to maintaining robust security cooperation with Gulf Cooperation Council states and our other partners aimed at deterring aggression, checking Iran's destabilizing activities, ensuring the free flow of commerce essential to the global economy, and building a regional security architecture to counter terrorism, proliferation, ballistic missiles, piracy, and other common threats. We will continue to oppose all efforts to weaken the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, and we will vigorously enforce laws that prevent discrimination. People will know where it is. Had the auto industry been allowed to fail, the mill probably would have closed, and 500 people would have lost their jobs. That is why the Obama administration has successfully pressed for international action against government corruption through the G-20 and promoted new initiatives to help countries develop stronger judicial institutions. Schedule: Awaiting final schedule for the week, Location: The Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, Official Convention Website: Charlotte in 2012. Thank you! I have a family history of breast cancer, and when I heard on the news that the health care law was going to make sure I could get a mammogram without any copay, I breathed a sigh of relief. We invested more than $2.5 billion in savings from reforming our student loan system to strengthen our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska, Hawaiian Native Institutions, Asian American and Pacific Islander Institutions, and other Minority Serving Institutions. In the last four years, rates of serious crimes, like murder, rape, and robbery, have reached 50-year lows, but there is more work to do. Tribal Sovereignty. As we look beyond the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - and the conclusion of long-term nation-building with large military footprints - we will be able to ensure our security with a more agile and more flexible force.