Seeking common ground, The Heritage Foundation is reaching out to President-elect Barack Obama with specially designed policy memos on subjects where his words line up with our vision of how to solve the most critical issues facing America. Each entry in the series, titled “Change We Believe In: Memos to President-elect Obama,” will cite the incoming president’s own words as a starting point for potential agreement and necessary follow-through.

"We should work to include countries like Poland that are members of both the EU and NATO into the Visa Waiver Program."

Strengthening the Visa Waiver Program

by Jena Baker McNeill, James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and James Dean

President-elect Obama, your comments on the Senate floor regarding the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) demonstrate that you recognize the program’s substantial public diplomacy benefits. The VWP has undergone tremendous changes since its inception and remains a vital tool for improving America’s image around the globe. Countries such as Bulgaria, for example, have commented that membership is considered a clear sign of America’s trust...

"I believe in the need for increased oil production. We're going to have to explore new ways to get more oil, and that include offshore drilling."

Making Domestic Energy Affordable

by Ben Lieberman and Jack Spencer

President-elect Obama, throughout the campaign, you pledged to find ways to provide relief for the rising energy prices that affect millions of American households and businesses. This was a leading issue for voters, especially during the summer when gasoline exceeded $4.00 a gallon. Though gasoline prices have since plummeted in the global economic downturn, this respite will only be temporary unless you take strong steps now. The nation also faces continued increases in electricity costs and even the possibly of shortages and rolling blackouts, and you should take steps to ensure that new electric generation can meet the nation’s need for power...

"We need a new vision for a 21st century education--one where we aren't just supporting existing schools, but spurring innovation; where we're not just investing more money, but demanding more reform... "

Transforming and Improving American Education

by Dan Lips and Jennifer A. Marshall

President-elect Obama, your comments during the campaign show that you recognize the urgent need to transform and improve American education for the 21st century. American students’ reading scores have remained relatively flat since 1970. In 2007, 33 percent of fourth graders and 26 percent of eighth graders scored “below basic” in reading. Millions of children are not receiving a quality education in American schools. In many of the nation’s largest cities, less than half of all children are graduating high school. Nationally, on both test scores and graduation rates, an achievement gap still separates disadvantaged and ethnic minority children from their affluent and non-minority peers...