Quick summary of question-and-answer segment of the Obama Town Hall meeting in Rolla, Missouri at 3:00 pm Central DST.
(Sorry for the lack of detail on the first question; that was when I decided to start this post. I apologize for all typos and grammatical errors, especially matching tense. This is by no means a transcript, simply a summary of the question-and-answer segment.)
First question, by a young woman, about Darfur:
"What are you going to do about what's going on in Darfur and the Sudan?"
Obama's answer mentioned four separate components:
Sanctions
Peacekeepers
No fly zone
Negotiating compromise
Second question, by an older gentleman:
"What do you think about sending 20,000 troops from Iraq to Afghanistan, to win a war for a change?"
Obama said that he thinks he's playing on the same page. He reiterated the need to resolve Afghanistan; and reminded audience that Iraq had nothing to do with death of 3,000 Americans. He agreed in shift of some resources to Afghanistan, but taking some funds to invest in improvements in the United States.
Third question, by a woman; VA question:
"My brother-in-law retired and has many health problems, including non-Hodgkins lymphoma and skin cancer. He finally went to the VA in Louisiana; they treated him like he was trying to get something for nothing. He needed help, and has been turned down. The doctor said he didn't have non-Hodgkins lymphoma yet, and that he could live with the skin cancer. What can you do to change that kind of attitude, when veterans have put their lives on the line?"
Obama first thanked the woman's brother-in-law for his service. He said we need to give veterans the benefits, respect, & honor they've earned. They shouldn't have to beg, and shouldn't have to wait in long lines to get help. He said the situation was scandalous. Related how, as a member of the Veteran's Affairs Committee, he's been working to get veterans the care they need. After his visit to Walter Reed, he came back and the Senate changed policy on meals & telephone calls (that veterans were being charged for, while recuperating at Walter Reed).
He said there were several steps to take:
First, fully fund the Veterans Administration;
Second, get veterans properly screened for health problems upon discharge;
Third, eliminate categories of vets who aren't getting medical care (apparently means-testing exists);
Fourth, implement zero tolerance for homeless veterans; if you've served in US armed forces, you shouldn't be sleeping on the street.
Fourth question, young man:
"I recently lost mfg job here in Rolla. Can you give details on giving companies incentives to stay in the United States?"
Obama asked several questions to get clarification. Turns out the young man was working at Briggs & Stratton, making small engines; a duplicate plant was built in China. The existing workers had to train Chinese workers brought over for training, then the plant was closed.
Obama answered that this sort of thing is happening all over the US.
Step 1; We can't stop companies from moving, but we can sure take away their tax breaks.
Step 2. We need to make sure our trade agreements are fair. China currency rates are a concern; and US has steep obstacles to selling in S. Korea. The US can compete with the best in the world; but we cannot have an uneven playing field.
Step 3. Some old manufacturing jobs may not come back, but we can create new manufacturing jobs in their place. For example, the green energy sector. US energy economy has to change. We must demand change, or we will be depend on foreign oil, sending our money to countries where there are people who do not have America's best interests in mind (citing Iran).
He described his 10 year goal; cut consumption of oil, increase energy efficiency on cars, spur manufacturing of windmills, solar panels, and rebuild the electricity grid to handle long-distance transmission. Work with automakers to create cars of the future, plug-in hybrids that get 100 mpg or more. He said we can create 5 million new energy jobs if we're serious about it; we can restore manufacturing jobs in America.
Obama noted that he only had time for two more questions...
Woman:
"As we're pulling troops out of Iraq, and revamping finances, will that free up funding for alternative fuel development?"
Obama discussed alternative fuel, starting with ethanol. He described his earlier support for corn-based ethanol, since Illinois grows a lot of corn. Then he said, truth is, corn-based ethanol is not probably the best strategy, over the long term, because it's raising food prices. Instead, cellulosic ethanol, like switchgrass, could end up being a critical component of alternative fuel. He also said global warming also needs to be dealt with; greenhouse gas fees to be reinvested in the American people and clean energy.
Older gentleman, 20 year submarine veteran:
"Will you solve the problems we have with Cuba, so we can go back and visit them?"
Obama said we have an opportunity to change relations with Cuba. Castro is basically on his last legs; passed on power to Raoul. But we are starting to see some changes in Cuba.
He proposed first, lifting travel ban on Cuban family members. Then he proposed lifting ban on remittances. He said that if those actions were combined with a clear message of direct diplomacy on human rights & political prisoners, that we're willing to open dialogue toward normalizing relations.
Obama closed the question and answer session by remind the audience that "We have a choice this November." He said "Don't let the other side scare you from what you know in your gut." He said, you know we need to bring about change, and that's why I'm running for President of the United States. He thanked the audience, and shook hands all the way out of the hall.