Issues

A just criminal justice system treats everyone equally, punishes crime proportionally, and affords due process under the law to all. It also recognizes the potential of all people to transform their lives and contribute to society, ensures that the opportunity for rehabilitation accompanies punishment and provides second chances to those who deserve them. Unfortunately, today’s criminal justice system is far from that ideal. It criminalizes poverty and disproportionately harms minorities and low-income communities. We want to change that.

The American story is one of people rising to achieve great things. However, it’s become increasingly difficult for people to share in that experience in recent decades, the result of a two-tiered system that makes it too hard for too many to get ahead. We’re working to reverse that trend by making it easier for the least fortunate to grab hold of the economic ladder and rise. We are working toward a system in which government grants privilege to no one and everyone has access to opportunity. All people should have the ability to succeed, contribute to their communities, and live meaningful lives—regardless of their starting point.

We want an economic system that makes it easier for the least fortunate to grab hold of the economic ladder and rise. Economic opportunity is the most effective anti-poverty program in history.

The purpose of K-12 education is to help students discover, develop, and apply their unique abilities, establishing a foundation for a life of contribution and fulfillment. All students should have access to a quality education that helps them move forward on the path to realizing their full potential Hispanic families understand the life-changing value of educational opportunity. And they know that every student in America deserves a quality education that fits his or her unique talents. Time and time again, polls have shown that Hispanics rank education as a top issue. Hispanic families also know that their children have different learning styles, abilities, and talents that are best met when they have access to a number of educational options. As evidence of this, Hispanics consistently show higher support for educational opportunity policies compared to other demographic groups. Our diversity is what makes our country and our communities strong, and we deserve educational options capable of fully leveraging it.

Hispanics know that despite a lot of activity in Washington in recent years, it’s still hard to afford quality health care and health insurance. According to Gallup, the percentage of uninsured Hispanics is nearly four times greater than the percentage of Non-Hispanic white Americans. And more than one-quarter of Hispanics went without a health care visit over the course of a year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Twenty-two percent of Hispanics went without care over the course of a year due to cost. That’s a sad situation. Simply put, health care remains an important challenge – despite implementation of the Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare), and despite massive federal spending on health insurance programs.

America’s best days are still ahead, and immigrants are eager to contribute to it. Our country has enjoyed unparalleled success by welcoming people from around the world who seek to make a better life for themselves and their families. Welcoming immigrants enriches America with new ideas and empowers us all to drive progress, innovation, and opportunity. The LIBRE Initiative believes that we can welcome immigrants to this country AND provide security at our borders. There is common ground on this issue and if we focus on it, we can drive solutions that will improve our system for all of us.

History proves countries that are open to trade rise and their people prosper with stronger economies, more and better-paying jobs, and higher standards of living than countries that close themselves off. Yet today, we’re seeing a rise in protectionism, as policies such as the recent tariffs are destroying jobs and restricting Americans from the benefits of more affordable goods and services from other countries. Tariffs imposed by the U.S. also prompt retaliation by trading partners – which hurts American workers and undermines growth in export-competitive industries. We are working to open the U.S. economy to the rest of the world so every American can experience a more abundant life —regardless of other countries’ current policies.