EXCLUSIVE NEWS! U.S. Senator Richard Lugar Visits the Philippines Oct. 27-31, 2012 to promote anti-chemical/nuclear/biological weapons

Manila, October 26, 2012 -- United States Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana will visit the Philippines from October 27-31, 2012 to meet with President Noynoy C. Aquino, Foreign Secretary Alberto del Rosario and other government representatives.

The Senator's visit to the Philippines is one stop on a trip to several Asia Pacific nations that is intended to encourage expansion of the Nunn-Lugar Global Cooperative Threat Reduction program. 

This program, which was expanded in 2003 under the Nunn-Lugar Expansion Act, is focused on reducing stockpiles of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, related materials, and delivery systems in nations around the world to address proliferation threats.

“Cooperation is essential to identifying and interdicting the flow of weapons of mass destruction through Southeast Asia. Sources of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons or precursor materials could be states or rogue terrorist elements,” Lugar said.

“Southeast Asia is a major intersection of global trade and commerce by water and air. U.S. strategic economic and foreign policy needs to become more robust in the Asia-Pacific region and Nunn-Lugar Global Cooperative Threat Reduction will be an important tool for our diplomatic and military leaders as we seek a more integrated approach to the region.” 

Senator Lugar is the most senior Republican in the U.S. Senate and the longest serving member of the Senate in Indiana history. He has led efforts at reducing the threat of nuclear weapons around the world and decreasing U.S. dependence on foreign sources of oil.

As both chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Senator Lugar has always been willing to reach across the aisle to get things done and work toward a bipartisan consensus.

I admire Barack Obama on foreign policy and Mitt Romney for his economic leadership




Strong on economic issues

It is my belief that successful businessman and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has the leadership capabilities to more decisively turn around the still ailing United States of America (USA) economy like the way he did for the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, for Massachusetts and for various business firms, etc.

Solid on social Issues

On social issues, I also share Romney's conservative stand opposing abortion, that it is tantamount to murder because human life begins at conception.

Weak Foreign Policy except on Israel?

However, Romney's foreign policy credentials are yet untested, his election campaign rhetoric is so hysterical in anti-China demagoguery and even anti-Russia outburts. During his overseas trip to Britain in time for the 2012 London Olympics, Romney drew angry British criticisms for his tactless public comments about the preparations for the international sports event.

Instead of promoting peace and global dimilitarization, Romney also pledges to increase military spending when the U.S. is now already way ahead as the world's largest military spender and exporter of arms.

I share Romney's strong unequivocal support for the state of Israel and its survival as a dynamic democracy.



More civilized and humane foreign policy, except for questions on his support for Israel

It is my belief that incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama has a more refine and humane foreign policy, in general, thus he has proven to be a capable leader in diplomacy who is quite well-liked by many nations. Even in national security, Obama has surprisingly done well and has not been a weakling in fighting international terrorism threats.

But it is distressing to read reports claiming that Obama has supposedly not done much to support the besieged state of Israel, is this true?

Weak and indecisive on needed economic reforms to revive USA?

However, I believe Obama has shown weakness and lack of strong leadership when it comes to the important challenge of turning around the crisis-hit U.S. economy.

Huge unemployment numbers, declining per capita income of many American families, weak industrial foundations, anemic exports, still record-high government budget deficit, massive foreign debts, and other problems remain quite formidable.

Is the U.S. economy---like its balooning budget deficit and foreign debnts---teetering towards the precipice?

What issues and factors shall eventually influence American voters?

How will the American voters choose the next President of the United States this November 2012?

What are your opinions? What do you consider are the most important issues facing the U.S. now?