There is only one woman in our country that has served five United States presidents, twice as a cabinet member. She is one of the world's most admired women for her success in both the political arena and with the American Red Cross. This individual is Elizabeth Dole.

In March of this year, Dole initiated an exploratory committee to begin her campaign for President of the United States. There is a substantial chance that the experienced politician could gain the Republican nomination, and eventually the Presidency. Dole's thoughts and plans on the issues that effect the United States are the result of years of experience in public service. Let us explore Dole's stance on the issues that will play a major role in determining which candidate will lead our country into the next millennium.

The crux of Dole's campaign is her belief that the federal government has become too controlling. She says, "The federal government has become too big, too complex, too bureaucratic. Decisions once made in state legislatures, in city halls and around kitchen tables are now made in Washington." Her suggestion for fixing this dilemma is to remember that the constitution allows for individual power within each state. She has developed a plan where each state will govern themselves rather than having the federal government decide what is appropriate for that state. She believes that if each state takes governing back into its own hands, the powers reserved for the states will return.

Dole feels that the three most important things we can teach our children include reading, math and citizenship. She wants to work at restoring the greatness of public schools by providing after school programs and improved funding. The presidential candidate spoke about this cause at her exploratory committee launch. She said, "How appalling that one in four high school seniors in the great United States of America is considered functionally illiterate. We must return discipline and parental involvement to every school."

During her Exploratory Committee launch, she mentioned two issues that would be of importance to those who are unsure of how to vote in the 2000 election. First, she explained her goal of cutting income tax. The average American Family spends forty percent of its income just paying taxes. Dole plans to allow people to start working for themselves again, instead of for the Federal Government.

Another issue of concern to voters is her foreign policy. Not only has Dole traveled extensively to countries such as Rwanda, Somalia, and Croatia as a spokesperson for the Red Cross, but also she has addressed her feelings on the military. She wants to replace outdated military equipment and to devise a strategic missile defense system at the earliest possible date.

One of Dole's most discussed reforms would be to reinstate the war on drugs. Polls currently show that drug abuse is not a priority issue. However, she envisions an America free of drugs. This issue has been on the decline in the 1990's, despite the fact that the use of drugs is not decreasing in the United States. This is an issue that will strike a cord with both parents and educators.

These issues are only a few that Elizabeth Dole has focused on throughout her career. She is a woman that does not stand in the shadow of her husband. Instead, she has forged ahead, ignoring the fact that women do not usually run for president. The question is whether the United States is ready for a female president. To date, New Jersey's Geraldine Ferraro is the only woman to ever run for president. Still, it remains to be seen if Elizabeth Dole is the woman to represent our country and to lead us into the next millennium.

"Elizabeth Dole 2000," http://www.edole.com

 "Profile of Elizabeth Dole," http://www.nytimes.com.

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