Education
Education is one of the single most important factors in making sure that everyone has the chance to succeed.  Good education unlocks the American Dream.  Without it, whole communities can be trapped in poverty, joblessness, and despair.  Just as important is ensuring that after graduation, every student has the opportunity to find a good job.  We must help parents, teachers, and state and local governments to meet high education standards.  We should also make sure that colleges and vocational schools have better coordination with businesses so that students are learning the kinds of skills they need to get good jobs and be successful in the years to come. 

The Economy
Our national debt, which is already sky high, is set to explode with the coming retirement of almost 80 million Baby Boomers.  If we don’t act now, this debt will cripple our economy and our workforce and prevent today’s young people from having opportunity in the future.  As president my economic agenda will be focused on comprehensive reform of our tax system and entitlement spending in order to get our budget back in balance, bring down the debt, and restore a thriving Middle Class where every hard-working American has the opportunity to succeed.

Foreign Relations
My policy as president will be to offer every nation a choice between an open hand and a closed fist.  Any nation that wants to have good relations with us and cooperate on making the world a safer place will have that chance; but any nation that rejects this opportunity will instead encounter a closed fist.  I will never stand idly by while America’s security and interests are threatened, but will always defend our homeland.  When our nation is threatened, I will use every tool available to fight back.

Defense
As president I will ensure we have the ability and the will to keep our homeland safe.  I will make sure our military has what it needs.  I will provide America with a clear plan to defeat radical Islamic groups like ISIL so that they never have the opportunity to attack us here at home. I will prevent nations like Iran from gaining access to nuclear weapons, which would be a threat to the U.S. and Israel.  Finally, I will work with our friends and partners to make sure they help in our efforts to bring security and stability, so that America does not have to carry the burden alone.

Health Care
As president I will repeal Obamacare and replace it with real reform.  We need to make sure that every American has access to good healthcare, with a wide variety of choices so that they can pick what’s right for themselves.  We have to do this in a way that provides good value for the dollar without heavy-handed regulation from Washington that hurts job creation. 

Immigration
Our current immigration system is broken.  First and foremost, we have to secure the border, make sure employers don’t hire illegal immigrants and pay them under the table, and track visitors to our country who overstay their visas; this is a matter of economic and national security.  Once the border is secure, we can responsibly address the 11 million illegal immigrants who currently live in the shadows.  Felons and repeat offenders would get deported immediately, but others would be permitted to submit to a lengthy process in which they must learn English, pay fines for breaking immigration laws, pay their taxes, and get in the back of the line behind everyone else if they want to become a citizen.  This proposal is tough but fair.

The Environment
We don’t have to choose between plentiful energy and a healthy environment.  A thriving U.S. economy powered by clean, affordable, and reliable American energy is within our reach.  The keys are American ingenuity and leadership.  Heavy-handed regulation from Washington is not the answer.  What the federal government should be doing is empowering America’s brightest minds to tackle our energy and environmental challenges, and helping to bring new technologies and ideas to the marketplace.

We are so close to achieving energy independence, but we have to take action, like building the Keystone XL pipeline, to ensure our economy has the right tools to thrive. This will create thousands of good jobs while reducing our dependence on oil from nations led by dangerous dictators. We can and must pursue all sources of energy here in America while also protecting our environment and addressing challenges like climate change in a way that strengthens our economy.

Statement to New Hampshire Students about the importance of voting and being civically engaged

This country has been very good to me.  My family didn’t have much when I was growing up, but I’ve been able to achieve the American Dream. 
I grew up living in a single room in the back of the family business and was the first in my family to go to college.  Our family hit very hard times when my mom got sick and the medical bills were more than we could pay.  Both of my parents passed away while I was in college and my sister was just 13. 
We pulled through because of family, friends, and faith.  I have been blessed with the incredible opportunities of serving in our military, the House of Representatives and the Senate.  Today I am running for president as someone who has experienced hard times but was able to find a path forward. 
This could only happen in America, and we cannot our nation take for granted.  America is an exceptional country that provides people with the opportunity to pursue their dreams, so I encourage all young people to get engaged in their communities, vote once they turn 18, and help set our nation on the right path.