Since Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism has become a hot issue in the United States, but what has really been done to fight it?

We are waging a $200 billion war in Iraq, yet we pulled troops away from the hunt for Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. Is this an effective way to fight terrorists?

One thing is obvious — we need a clear and decisive plan to fight terrorism. John Kerry has one that will build a truly stronger America.

Some of the plan’s points include:

• Double the Army’s Special Forces capacity and speed implementation of new anti-terror technologies.

• Create a National Intelligence Director’s post that has full control over intelligence funding and double the number of overseas intelligence officers.

• Make Afghanistan a priority again.

• Improve the security of and attempt to secure all global chemical and nuclear weapons, particularly those in the former Soviet Union.

• Seek a global ban on the materials needed to produce nuclear weapons.

• Open direct talks with North Korea concerning its nuclear weapons program.

• Hold Saudi Arabia accountable for terrorist group development there, and work to make the United States less dependent on Mideast oil.

• Strengthen and in some cases rebuild alliances with other countries. If ever the United States needed to reach out instead of alienating countries, it is now.

• Improve security at U.S. ports.

America will win the war on terror when we stop isolating ourselves and start isolating the terrorists.

For more information, please check out www.johnkerry.com or attend our meetings at 5 p.m. Thursdays in the UC. You can also e-mail us:utmdems@mars.utm.edu