Topic for the presidential candidates debate, June 28.

Hurricane Katrina destoyed livelihoods and businesses as well as homes and commun-ities. Cant our government put people back to work after disasters -- paying them to rebuild their communities -- so that returning businesses have a consumer base to attract reinvestment? WPA-like projects to build and rebuild public facilities are not only solid, investments in the future. Such jobs in hard-hit communities would kick-start recovery from the ground up.

Sent by shannon | 1:34 PM ET | 06-25-2007

Okay 'Schel. So, my two cents...

I think the whole "black-women-as-punchline" thing strikes some men as being over-sensitive, what, with black men being the brunt of jokes all across the spectrum, and black women having no problem reading anyone out of turn.

That may be why they may find a lack of sympathy from the public, in general, and maybe even black men specifically. I don't know of any other race of women as quick to neck-roll a hole in your head more than black women. That's not a knock--just kind of stereotype that might be a truism that some may jump on me for pointing out.

But see-I wonder if we all should lighten up. Hughley's a comedian: he's not a PR consultant. I often wonder why black people expect one another to be the best face of the race, day in and day out. With a strain like that, it's wonder if y'boy Tavis can even pee straight.

That said, as the father of a daughter, I understand the impact of comments like that. But that's why she has a Daddy. When you have a Daddy, comments by D. L. Hughley or H. R. Puffenstuff don't rate.

Sent by the izza | 4:40 PM ET | 06-25-2007

The workplace is becoming increasingly technological and internet-centric. Workers must communicate in a variety of ways using computers and social media.
However, by federal mandate, our schools are increasingly avoiding and banning these technologies - cell phones and open internet use. If the point of schools is to prepare students for the workplace, how will you ensure that schools are preparing students for an ever-evolving workplace?

Sent by Arthus Erea | 4:53 PM ET | 06-25-2007

DEBATE

Why aren't we educating our youth for life in the 21st century?

No child left behind has eliminated "the soft bigotry of low expectations" from reasonable public debate. What are the candidates going to do to assure that all America's children get a solid elementary and secondary education, and to make college affordable for young men and women, regardless of their family's person financial resources?

Our economic well-being and the health and vibrancy of our democratic system depends on young people from all our many communities being educated to think critically and creatively.

Sent by Rob in Easton PA | 7:25 PM ET | 06-25-2007

Presidential Candidate Debate Topic:

We hear an awful lot about the No Child Left Behind law and its effects on children who have difficulty learning, but what about the kids who excel at school but aren't being fully challenged? Instead they often end up helping the teacher prepare classmates who are having difficulties as opposed to furthering their own skills. This is a byproduct of the current cirriculum that's geared toward raising the lowest test scores in a school district for funding purposes as opposed to the good of all students. How can we further challenge and motivate these students without letting them fall through the cracks as we did for years to those who had difficulty? How can we re-establish acedemic excellence for America where ALL children win instead of continuing to teach for a test?

Sent by jackie | 8:10 AM ET | 06-26-2007

I received a email message from Governor Roy Romer, suggesting that they were making progress for America's students, and with my help, they can make even more. The Governor went on to say that the presidential candidates are taking note - voters care about America's schools, and our students cannot be left off the agenda in 2008.
The Governor also suggested that you (Michel Martin), will be a questioner at the presidential debate at Howard University in Washington, DC, on June 28, and is asking for ideas. And he wanted me to "Visit her 'Tell Me More' blog and leave your question in a comment".

So I hope you will consider two issues. One, if any of the candidates would articulate their views on public school vouchers, and, this may be kind of off the wall, but I am a delegate for Unity08. Can you ask any or all of the candidate if they would conside placing their names up for nomination for the office of the presidency of the United States on Unity08 online convention come the summer of '08? if they would consider it, what vice-presidential candidate would they pick? (Please note, but Unity08's Nominating Rules, the vice-president any president must be from different political parties, or a registered Independent).

To find out more about Unity08, please go to http://www.unity08.com/

Thank you.
ex animo
davidfarrar
http://www.unity08.com/

Sent by David Farrar | 11:19 AM ET | 06-26-2007

DEBATE

I would love it if you could question the candidates on the state of education and possible education reform. We are, after all, talking about the future here. I dont think the questions have to be about schools in the inner-city versus those in well-off neighborhoods but more about how the education system is clearly broken across the board and what do the candidates propose to do to fix it?

Given that the current education system was structured around an agri-based economy, how would you propose bringing the US public education system into the 21st century?

To create motivated students, we need motivated teachers. Given the strength of the teachers union, how would you propose training and incentivizing educators?

What are your thoughts/policies on mandatory early education?
Michel: great show. Thanks for the opportunity to participate in the debate!

Sent by Kristin | 2:31 PM ET | 06-26-2007

Please use this question in the Tavis Smiley Forums which I realize are about domestic policies but...

In past elections voters seem to have made their choice based more on the candidates domestic policies and given little attention to or examination of their foreign ones.

Since September 11, 2001 it has become apparent that we are not as isolated from what is happening in other parts of the world as we once thought and more and more of our federal budget is diverted to or designated for endeavors outside our borders. Ultimately, this impacts our available funds for domestic concerns.

At best, candidates are asked to address the Middle East or Iraq and Iran but our country has made a commitment to peace and justice in Sudan that must remain viable.

If you were to become president, what would your policy be towards Sudan?

Sudan Advocacy Action Forum
www.sudanadvocacy.com

Sent by bobbie-frances | 2:33 PM ET | 06-26-2007

DEBATE

Since everyone says that the cost of television advertising is what makes elections so costly, how do the candidates feel about banning television and radio advertising in election campaigns? Wouldn't this make it easier for less rich candidates to be on an equal footing with richer candidates?

Sent by Jude | 11:10 PM ET | 06-26-2007

DEBATE
Why aren't we educating the whole child? No Child Left Behind fails children by demanding only technical skills in reading and math. What about creativity and critical thinking and teamwork and physical health? Yes, children need to read and do basic math but they can and should go beyond that. Restoring the arts and physical education to our schools, as well as shoring up social studies and science, will better prepare our kids for the future, which is unknown but certain to be complex and demanding of more than basic skills.

Sent by Patti | 11:54 PM ET | 06-26-2007

DEBATE

Hi folks,
As one of the bloggers credentialed to cover tomorrow night's forum, I've been collecting questions for the candidates here. There are about two dozen questions.

I've also created an online">http://professorkim.blogspot.com/2007/06/how-candidates-stack-up-on-covenants.html>online spreadsheet lining up the candidates' positions on the issues identified in the Covenant With Black America.

Hope this is helpful. Looking forward to tomorrow night!

Sent by Kim Pearson | 8:40 AM ET | 06-27-2007

Mz Michel, I'm totally with you on this woman thing. Seems like no matter what color your skin is, women are always on the receiving end. As a white woman I was offended by Imus AND by D.L. saying that, in effect, strong women are ugly, and that I can't stand up for them without being smacked down is just as bad. I also just wanted to say that I REALLY love your interviews - you ask the questions I want to ask, you don't let the subjects go on and on without challenging them, and I appreciate that.

Sent by Sarah | 9:33 AM ET | 06-27-2007

Congestion is increasing on our roadways, increasing transportation costs, aggravation to motorists, and hinderance to our quality of life. There is a growing demand from both the populace as well as the transportation engineering community that we can no longer build ourselves out of congestion by "simply" increasing capacity; and mixed-use development only reduces trips due to retail and recreation (the socioeconomic disparity is maintained such that residents of mixed-use development rarely works there; and similarly workers can rarely afford to live there). As a traffic engineer, I often find myself despising land use policies. Do you concur? If you do or if otherwise, how do you intend to alleviate congestion within America? Do you propose shifting the American infatuation with the personal car toward more sustainable transportation modes?

Sent by Andrew Bossi | 1:34 PM ET | 06-27-2007

DEBATE

As a federal employee I am interested in how much time the next president will spend making sure that all his federal agencies are run competently. Would he/she be willing to hire someone outside their party to head an agency if that person were the most qualified for the job?

That would be my question. The motivation is the lack of interest in the nuts and bolts of running the government that has been shown by the current administration. It is called the Executive Branch for a reason.

Sent by Chris Wilkowske | 3:05 PM ET | 06-27-2007

DEBATE

With all of the focus on the illegal immigrants coming into our country and filling the jobs that Americans allegedly won't do, I'm afraid that the exportation of jobs to China and India is a topic that's being pretty well ignored. I've seen good domestic jobs lost to the cheap labor in China, and frankly, part of my job is training people in China to do work for me. This feels frighteningly like I'm being asked to design my own obsolescence. I'd like to know what the candidates plan to do to stop the bleeding or whether the candidates don't believe that we are actually incurring a cost in this job migration.

Sent by Louis | 3:06 PM ET | 06-27-2007

While explanatory comments are useful from candidates, when there are 10 people on a stage, shorter answers are needed. Thus, tailor the questions to the reality. For example, go down the line of candidates and ask each to give a dollar amount as to what he or she considers to be the middle of "Middle Class" income. For education, if the candidates had unlimited money to spend on one element of high school education, what would it be? If the Bush tax cuts were repealed and could be spent on one item only, what would it be? (I know Obama has said health care, but we need transit funding, education funding, more money for food stamps, and so many other items.) Outside of Iraq itself, what one foreign country, or multi-country conflict would receive the most attention from the candidate if elected president? Ask them what they consider to be the "typical" woman in America.

Sent by Irritated Iowan | 3:19 PM ET | 06-27-2007

DEBATE

No education reform can be possible without quality teachers in America's classrooms. However, statistics show that nearly 1/3 of new teachers leave the profession within the first three years, and almost 50% of new teachers leave within the first five years. I want to hear what each candidate plans to do to attract talented people to the teaching profession and SUPPORT them so that they remain teachers.

Sent by Rachael Brown | 3:24 PM ET | 06-27-2007

DEBATE

Question for the Democratic candidates:

What are the three most egregious things done by the Bush administration, and what specifically will you do to correct them, if elected?

Sent by Joe from Mason, NH | 4:41 PM ET | 06-27-2007

DEBATE

I've got a question I'd like you to ask! I'll pose the question and then say what's behind it, after.

The question: Some leaders and politicians believe the president should never say, "I made a mistake" or "I changed my mind," especially when it comes to foreign affairs or policy. Surely, there are pros and cons to saying something like that. How do YOU see the pros and cons, and what might you consider as you decided the right course?

Why I want to know their answers: I think our next president has got to work hard on healing the mess Bush has created. It may help to say, "we messed up."

However, I'm sure there are down-sides, too. Maybe...

"We," as in the US, look weak doing that. Maybe it backfires, that sort of thing.

Maybe Clinton (as in Hillary) has extra downside because she's female. As a woman, myself, I've noticed how saying such things can backfire in surprising ways; where it doesn't seem to with men.

I'm worried that Clinton will be as unwilling to acknowledge mistakes as Bush has been. But I don't want to ask about this directly because it turns into debate about whether she is right or wrong in not saying she made a mistake about Iraq. In addition, she probably knows way more about global politics than I do.

I would hope that all of the candidates never always apologize or say they'd changed their mind; nor never-ever do that, no way no how. I would hope they think about each situation, and then choose.

So, if at all possible, I'd truly love to hear them talk about the pros and cons as they see them, in general.

I don't want to hear about how any other candidate has chosen wrong in this. How does each of them see the pros and cons? What is his or her thinking on this?

Sent by Shawn Ann Greene | 6:10 PM ET | 06-27-2007

I would love someone to ask what the candidates would do to ensure African American children get their fair share of experienced, effective teachers. Just look at North Carolina: A study by Duke University researchers found that African American seventh graders are 54 percent more likely to face a rookie teacher in math class, and the odds are even greater in some of the state's large urban districts. North Carolina used to have a bonus program to attract teachers to disadvantaged schools, and it was having a positive effect -- but the legislature discontinued it in 2004. Who will take a moral stand to finally attack and solve this problem on a national scale?

Sent by Craig Jerald | 10:29 PM ET | 06-27-2007

DEBATE
What policies will the candidate pursue to modernize the nations electrical infrastructure, encourage clean, electrically-driven transportation and exploit our rich geothermal, solar, wind and tidal energy resources, addressing global warming and dependence on oil ?

Sent by J Vlantis | 12:50 AM ET | 06-28-2007

How do you think traffic congestion can be solved? Europe is mass transportation oriented and is successfully gaining the battle again congestion. Would you support funding to develop mass transportation and educate the citizen to be less dependant of their Single Unit Vehicle and develop a good mass transportation distribution?

Sent by Youcef Hamroun | 8:27 AM ET | 06-28-2007

DEBATE - Question for the Presidential candidates - Illegal Immigration

There has been many emphasizes to legalized illegal immigrants and to establish ???Path to Citizenship??? for all these people being in US illegally. What would the Presidential candidates do about all the legal immigrants who are here on temporary work related visas, etc, wanting to become Permanent Residents and eventually US Citizens. All these people are in the US legally, some being residents for over 5 years, paying taxes, speaking English, established themselves in communities, owning real estate and other investments in the country, having US-born children ??? all legally, but are not able to work through the red tape to establish Permanent Residency ??? just watching the debate about illegal immigrants maybe having chance to become permanent legal residents.
Thank you.

Sent by Paul | 9:49 AM ET | 06-28-2007

Why are so many black men and women so quick to turn on each other? In part, at least, I think it's internalized racism. Our culture is rife with images, sterotypes about black people and blacks aren't immune to ingesting them. When it rains everybody gets wet. You don't see other ethnicities going after each other in public the way we do. We've got a tough row to hoe in this country. A tough row requires even more skill in taking good care of ourselves as individuals and as a group. D.L. Hughley's comment was funny - at least at first glance, but WHY was it funny? What does it reveal about how we do or do not value ourselves, our physical aethestics? Sure, he has the right to say what he said, but that doesn't make it any less sad and ignorant of the subterranean impulses that it draws upon.

Sent by Stanley | 10:11 AM ET | 06-28-2007

DEBATE

How will you address rising college costs from tuition and fees to the less publicized skyrocketing costs of textbooks, which easily average an additional $1000 per year? The combination of rising college costs, less financial aid available, and rising student loan debt severely hampers the opportunities and options available if and when students graduate.

Sent by Whitney Muse | 1:02 PM ET | 06-28-2007

DEBATE

For Sen. Obama

Today, you stated that you would be opposed to impeachment proceedings against the current administration because impeachment should be reserved for "grave" breaches of presidential authority. The current administration has violated (and continues to violate) FISA, with respect to the domestic spying program, and the Geneva Conventions, by authorizing the use of torture and extraordinary rendition. If, in your judgment, these criminal acts are not "grave" breaches of presidential authority, would you please give examples of what combination of federal crimes and breaches of ratified international treaties you would consider worthy of impeachment?

Sent by Jeffrey | 2:16 PM ET | 06-28-2007

Michel,

I saw you on the Democratic Candidates Presidential Debates and was glad to see you've made a major move in your career. Good to see you still natural also. This is my first time looking at your show's site, so I can really comment on it right now, but will later. Keep up the good work. I have comments and questions I will try to send as often as I possibly can.

Unity, power, freedom, and love

Shahid Raki

Sent by Shahid Raki | 10:08 AM ET | 06-30-2007

I know I must fit my questions into a sound bite. But From A to Z, America
(Rome) is burning while our 2 party system isnt working. The rich got richer. Exxon & Mobil bought the best
leaders money could payoff. Issues With
Solutions are not heard. Who cares about Hillaries attire? I cant afford to see a dentist. As in Alice in Wonderland, it gets "curioser and curioser." And there is no one to help us.

Sent by jan paysour | 7:37 PM ET | 07-30-2007

For a minute I was almost believing the Democrats would be the ones to "save Us", but, when I witnessed Hillary's comments against Judge Roberts decision to declare us all "equal", (black or white), her comments repulsed me. There should be no favoritism towards blacks or whites. I agree with Judge Roberts. Its racism. Hillary said
say otherwise, but...I am so tired of
our leaders kissing up.

Sent by Jan Paysour | 9:48 PM ET | 08-15-2007