This document is a Citizens Action Plan created by business classes at Rowan Cabarrus Community College that outlines concerns of US citizens and proposes solutions. It addresses economic issues like the budget deficit, jobs, and the housing crisis. It also discusses concerns over healthcare costs, immigration, education, and energy costs. Solutions proposed include tax credits for jobs/homeowners, regulating banks/lenders, developing green energy, and improving education. The plan aims to give citizens a voice and help address national issues.

1. Citizens Action Plan By Rowan Cabarrus Community College Business classes of Stephanie Anderson, MSM, in Concord, NC

2. This plan is intended to voice the concerns of the citizens of our community, and give suggestions on how best to help our community and country as a whole. We will provide input from our perspective because legislators who lead different lives may not be aware of the diversity of the lifestyles and the needs of individual Americans. We, as citizens of the United States of America, have the authority to address the issues and policies that will rescue our distressed nation. We assert and reinforce our interests in the administration of our government and acknowledge our rights as US citizens to have our voices heard in all branches of government. Sixty percent of all Americans pay taxes, so that the government has funding to manage the necessary programs. As citizens, we are outraged that forty percent of US citizens do not earn enough to have taxable income 1 . We must have a focus on ending poverty through education in this nation. Reference: http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/ff54.pdf . “During 2006, Tax Foundation economists estimate that roughly 43.4 million tax returns, representing 91 million individuals, will face a zero or negative tax liability. That's out of a total of 136 million federal tax returns that will be filed. Adding to this figure the 15 million households and individuals who file no tax return at all, roughly 121 million Americans—or 41 percent of the U.S. population—will be completely outside the federal income tax system in 2006.1 This total includes those who pay no tax, and those who pay some tax upfront and are later refunded the full amount of the tax paid or more.”

3. Economic Concerns In January 2008, it became clear that the economy was taking a turn for the worse although economists disagreed on whether or not we were in a recession. In September 2008, the government took over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and rescued the American International Group. The bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and now the pending sale of Merrill Lynch add to the financial fears of Americans. Americans are concerned about losing their jobs and retirement. Jobs that could benefit Americans are going overseas because of the cost of labor and tax breaks 2 . Money Magazine, November 2008

4. Economic Solutions Mortgages & Banking Provide a one time 15 percent loss of value tax credit to property owners whose mortgage payments are current and who have at least 5 bank owned foreclosures within a 2 mile radius. Provide a 90 day moratorium on foreclosure filings and sales. Companies with foreign ownership should only be allowed help through the $700 billion rescue plan proportional to their U.S. ownership. Require any bank that is receiving bailout funds to forgive past due interest of homeowners in default that can prove that they can maintain ownership of their home. Banks should not become enriched at taxpayer expense. They should be considered made whole by the resources received by the bail out plan. The interest forgiven can be deducted as a loss by the bank, but it can not be charged as other income to the homeowner through a 1099 or by any other method. The homeowner is responsible for paying all past due principal; however this amount should automatically be added to the end of their loan if the homeowner can pay a portion within 45 days of entering the new work out plan. Falling stock-prices have increased selling. Encourage investors to leave money invested, by insuring losses up to $25,000 per individual.

5. Economic Solutions Mortgages & Banking (continued) Develop and provide a webpage link similar to the mortgage holder’s payment site where homeowners can assess their account and enter into the work out agreements online and automatically. Force lenders to buy back “poor choice” loans that auditors can prove banks or brokers made “under unethical circumstances.” This should also be a legal remedy if homeowners can prove they were charged unreasonable fees, high interest rates compared to their credit score or by any other predatory or exploitive means. Penalize and fine lenders that have a large portion of loans in default that utilized risk based lending 3 in a substantial percentage of their loans. Require lenders to provide FINAL HUD settlement statement ten days prior to closing to give homeowners the opportunity to review the documents and terms prior to arriving to the closing table. Implement a liability clause that protects borrowers on closing documents. Revise the existing laws that regulate lending and encourage responsible and educated homeownership across economic lines. Provide reasonable limits to interest rates lenders can charge. Homeowners with a good payment record should not see an increase of 4pts when their ARM adjusts or when interest rates are down. Ban mortgage loans without verification of income.

6. Economic Solutions Federal Budget Deficit Force Iraqi officials to become more independent and share in the cost of defense. Limit the amount of money borrowed from overseas banks. Maintain better accountability of government programs and services. Job Creation Through Tax Incentives & Credits. Create more green jobs by using our resources here.

7. Economic Solutions Employment Offer a $5000 dollar per worker tax credit to employers who create new jobs here in the U.S. for the next ten years. Charge a $5000 dollars per job loss tax on any U.S company moving American jobs overseas that wish to import their goods back into the US. This would be in addition to all tariffs and taxes currently levied. Create and fund business incubators that encourage job growth in the small business sector. Make business education classes required for executives and owners of companies receiving such funding. Require continuing education and a company mentor that assists in creating entrepreneurs both knowledgeable about their trade and business practices. Offer foreign companies that bring new jobs to the United States a 10 percent business tax credit and eliminate all foreign tax penalties. Encourage Americans to purchase US made goods.

8. Energy Concerns One of the biggest expenses Americans face is the cost of gas and transportation. With oil prices rising more often than falling, it is a pressing concern for most of us. While we believe that the focus should be on wind, solar and hydroelectricity, we do advocate an increase in off shore drilling which will help with forced export oil production, and lead to increased competition and lower costs. Since this will not be a quick or permanent fix to the problem, we must invest in finding other means to supply energy. We believe that using nuclear power for an energy source will not only provide the supply we need, but increase jobs in the United States. It must be done safely and efficiently.

9. Energy Solutions The solutions for energy problems fall into two categories, transportation and energy. The development of alternative solutions will take a projected 50 years. Therefore both categories need to be broken into long term and short term solutions. Transportation Energy Short term Long term Short term Long term Offshore Drilling Hydrogen Nuclear power Solar energy Ethanol (E85 & E100) Methanol Clean Coal Wind Expanding hybrid (batteries) Solar Natural Gas Biogas (breakdown of organics) Biodiesel (peanut oil) Propane Conservation Hydroelectricity Conservation (fuel efficiency) 100% Electric

10. Energy & Gas Prices Encourage Americans to Conserve based on increases or decreases in production by OPEC nations. America currently imports nearly 6 million barrels per day from OPEC nations. If that number were reduced by just 165,000 barrels per day it would lessen our nation’s share of the world-wide impact of decreases in OPEC’s production per 1.5million barrels per day. 4 Publicize this information so that Americans can make conscience decisions to conserve. Ex: National Gas Watch Drill in America to further reduce dependency on foreign oil. And provide additional funding for short term solutions such as ethanol, biodiesel, nuclear power, natural gas and clean coal technology. Divert tax subsidies being given to oil companies to new Green Energy Companies that develop Alternatives such as wind, solar and nuclear plants. Build more U.S. oil reserves while balancing our nation’s needs to protect itself during an energy shortage. We propose that congress implement funding toward the research of alternative fuel sources. This funding shall be distributed through January 2059 to develop a fossil fuel replacement such as but not limited to hydrogen, methanol, solar, wind, hydro, biogas and electric fuel cell technology. Ban trading of oil and other natural gas commodities from the Futures Market.

11. Energy & Gas Prices (continued) Offer a $1000 tax credit to individuals owning American made vehicles with a 30mpg rate or higher and offer a $500 tax credit to individuals owning foreign vehicles with a 30mpg rate or higher. Corporate tax incentives should be offered to auto manufacturers who have at least 50% of their vehicles fuel efficient (30mpg or greater). Offer additional tax incentives to energy producers that operate on a minimum of 40% alternative fuels and any company that produces a product with a minimum of 40% reduction of energy consumption. Redirect the tax subsidies given to U.S. oil companies to develop alternative sources of fuel or energy to green companies that are in fact developing the aforementioned sources 5 . Start conservation education classes in middle schools and offer funding that can be used for classroom activities that reduce their carbon footprint. The United States government must address the rising cost of energy. Our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels must stop today.

12. Health Care Concerns At this point in time, our country is facing many health care issues that relate to the current economic crisis. The most important of these issues is health insurance. Currently 47 million people are uninsured. We need to develop a plan that will enable all citizens to have affordable health insurance. Having affordable health insurance would allow Americans to focus on other necessities.

13. Health Care Solutions Allow taxpayers to remove medical expenses from the Schedule A on their tax returns and have them added as a deduction from Adjusted Gross Income just as moving expenses reduce AGI. This would allow Americans to save dollar for dollar on the amount they spend providing for their family’s health. All children up to age 22 must have full medical and dental coverage that includes a plan that allows them to use the doctor of their choice. Provide all high school students access to one physical per school year, with optional drug screening, and mental health evaluations if the family desires. This will help identify those that need further care, thereby reducing the overall cost of treatment. Maintain the requirement that all drugs in the U.S. market be manufactured and packaged in this country. This will ensure US standards are met, and prevent further job loss from the pharmaceutical industry.

14. Health Care Solutions Elderly & Disabled Medical and dental assistance for senior citizens should be a priority. Lowering the cost of insurance and the deductibles will greatly decrease Americans healthcare costs. Place a 1% limit that check cashers can charge on any government, federal, or IRS check. The average check casher charges 3% to cash government checks which include monthly social security and annual tax refund checks. Many Americans who can afford it least and do not have sufficient banking or access to banking in their immediate communities are affected by these fees. Require that all banks continue to cash government checks without fees.

15. Illegal Immigration Concerns Another topic important to citizens is the issue of illegal immigration. For the most part, citizens believe that the US Border Patrol should provide more restrictions against illegal immigration.

16. Immigration Solutions As Americans we are proud to be the melting pot of the world. Legal immigrants shouldn't have to abandon their cultural traditions and identity to assimilate. They do, however, need to understand and embrace the ideals, heritage and democratic values that define us as Americans. What Government Can Do: Declare English as the official language of the United States. Having a common language declared unites us, and it should not be used as a tool to divide any longer. Allow bilingual education for legal immigrants only during a transitional phase to mainstreaming. Revise the visa program to attract more skilled immigrants in high-tech fields and get them on a citizenship track.

17. Immigration Solutions What Businesses Can Do: Give paid time off, or other incentives, for employees to tutor legal immigrants in English. Provide classes for legal immigrants in financial literacy and workplace norms and customs. Sponsor swearing-in ceremonies that are memorable, including distinctive venues and speakers discussing the value and obligations of citizenship. What Institutions Can Do: Churches, synagogues and other places of worship can reach out to new immigrants and invite them to join their religious communities. Civic and professional groups -- from unions to political clubs and fraternal organizations -- should canvass for new members among recent immigrants.

18. Immigration Solutions What We All Can Do: Volunteer to teach English to immigrants. Become a mentor to one immigrant, and help him or her through the entire process of becoming a citizen, from filling out forms to studying for the test. Look for opportunities to bring immigrants into the larger life of the community -- for example, by inviting them to join your bowling league or accompany you to a PTA meeting. 6

19. Education Concerns The No Child Left Behind Act requires public schools to meet test standards to receive federal funding. It was signed into law in 2002. It remains controversial as do measures to provide funds for students who choose private schools. In this act, the government is also required to meet the needs of students who have English as a second language, requiring the government to spend money on some illegal immigrants who need to catch up to the scores of US children whose primary language is English. This is an example of the problems inherent in some of our programs. It also shows why parents are frustrated with our educational choices. Give Americans more choices. Invest in technology and research and in careers searching for cures for diseases.

20. Education Solutions Increased emphasis on science, math and writing in early, middle and high school years through innovative teaching techniques in addition to other resources. This would also strengthen America’s competitive advantage in the fields of science and discovery. We feel that more students would attend college if they were better prepared in these areas. Updated textbooks for all public schools, government funded colleges and technical schools. Provide opportunities for interactive learning utilizing updated technology for all public schools, government funded colleges, and technical schools. Provide computers in all classrooms for public schools and government funded colleges, and technical schools. Require Masters Degree or higher for all educators teaching grades 8 or above. Merit Based pay and incentives for teachers in all public schools, government funded colleges, and technical schools. Psychological testing for all teachers and coaches. Increase federal and state scholarships and grants. Provide education credits in exchange for service.

21. CAP Solutions Many of the solutions we have outlined above do not require any additional sources of revenue. In others, we have balanced the needs for additional funds by requiring penalties to be levied against policies that undermine America’s best interest, productivity, and our free market system. In conclusion, Americans are concerned about the current state of our government, and need to be more involved in the decision making process. The Citizens Action Plan has attempted to offer our concerns and solutions to our representatives in order that they may better act on our behalf.

22. Appendix 1 Reference: http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/ff54.pdf . “During 2006, Tax Foundation economists estimate that roughly 43.4 million tax returns, representing 91 million individuals, will face a zero or negative tax liability. That's out of a total of 136 million federal tax returns that will be filed. Adding to this figure the 15 million households and individuals who file no tax return at all, roughly 121 million Americans—or 41 percent of the U.S. population—will be completely outside the federal income tax system in 2006.1 This total includes those who pay no tax, and those who pay some tax upfront and are later refunded the full amount of the tax paid or more.” 2 Money Magazine, November 2008 This is the practice of charging more (in the form of higher interest rates and fees) for extending credit to borrowers identified by the lender as posing a greater credit risk. The lending industry argues that risk-based pricing is a legitimate practice; since a greater percentage of loans made to less creditworthy borrowers can be expected to go into default, higher prices are necessary to obtain the same yield on the portfolio as a whole. Some consumer groups argue that higher prices paid by more vulnerable consumers cannot always be justified by increased credit risk.

23. Appendix 4 http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_a2_nus_ep00_im0_mbbl_m.htm US Total Crude Oil and Products Imports by Country of Origin (IN THOUSANDS) 5 www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/1054.html 6 http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/immigrant-solutions-for-america/article29393.html