Position on Issues
While my positions on all of these issues are important, they are secondary to the postitions of the people of District 20.
A true representative must be willing to place the needs and views of the constituents above his or her own views.
Health Care
I oppose the nationalization of health care as currently being forced by secretive legislation, back-room deals,
vote purchasing and partisan mandates. There are issues with health care that need to be addressed. However,
these issues can be more efficiently accomplished through bipartisan cooperation. Essential to correcting health
care deficiencies are the following: tort reform, portability of health insurance, free market competition and
regulation of health insurance companies with minimal government intrusion.
Cap and Trade
I oppose this proposed legislation. It is essentially a "shell game" based upon a false premise. In my opinion,
the linkages touted are not solidly based upon "scientific fact," but rather seem based upon a so called "scientific
consensus." President Obama and the democratic pundits keep mentioning the "95% of working families" pledging no-new-taxes.
However, they omit the caveat “unless you use energy." These working families would be hit hardest by "Cap and Tax"
because poor and middle-income households spend more of their paychecks on things like gas to drive to work, on groceries,
and on energy sources to heat or cool their homes. The democratic proposal is regressive by definition because it "puts a
price on carbon" thereby negatively impacting average American families.
Abortion
Abortion is an issue that is clouded with emotion and misrepresentations for most. I am a simple man who sees the issue
in black and white with no cloudiness. That being said; I am against Abortion unless it is the ONLY way to save the life
of the mother, even then I have reservations. I believe that Life begins at conception and Abortion is essentially shedding
the blood of the innocent.
We are told in Exodus 23:7, 'Keep thee far from a false matter, and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.'
Energy Independence
Congress must act now to lower energy costs, create new jobs, and liberate America from its dependence on foreign oil.
We must invest in and begin to develop our national energy resources. The special interest of a few are being allowed to
dictate and preserve inefficiencies in today's energy policies. House Republicans have introduced the American Energy Act
proposing a comprehensive energy strategy. I support this proposed legislation.
Secure Borders
The national interest of the United States cannot be safeguarded unless we act immediately to secure our borders from outside
threats. Have we forgotten the "lessons of the past" and those "staring us in the face" today? I agree with Ronald Reagan's
statement: "The simple truth is that we've lost control of our own borders, and no nation can do that and survive. We ignore
America's lost sovereignty at our peril." President Kennedy recognized the importance of secure borders as he stated: "Today,
we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of
freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life." Political gamesmanship must be overcome and we, as a nation, must act to
preserve and protect our Constitution and way of life. Securing our borders is a key element.
Immigration
As a nation of immigrants, we must consider justice, mercy and grace. God requires us to love mercy, do justice and walk humbly
with Him. So, mercy and justice are important to this issue. The short answer is to secure our borders, enforce existing laws,
and protect national security. The immigration issue is subordinate to the issue of national security and strategic national
interests. Adherence to and enforcement of existing immigration laws, rather than seeking exceptions, will promote a more
healthy environment.
Stimulus Reform Legislation
The stimulus did not work, was poorly planned, poorly executed, full of "pork barrel" projects and corrupt politics. Partisanship
and government inter-meddling burden economic recovery. Economies cycle naturally, but falter as governments burden free
enterprise with enacted disincentives. Private enterprise and small businesses flourish when government steps aside. The answer
is people power, not more government. Politicians should represent people, not party interests. Revisit the tenth amendment.
Let us restore power to the people.
War on Terror
First we must admit and fully recognize that we are at war with terrorists. This is not a series of "man-made disasters".
Linkage has been fully established by past events. Internal security and our strategic national interests cannot be accomplished
nor defined simply by seeking "success in Afghanistan." Success is a nebulous term. Our purpose is to achieve the strategic
national interests of the United States. Included therein are the security and protection of our people and homeland. Diplomacy
must be balanced with the projection of military power to accomplish our security interests. Success will be achieved when we fully
acknowledge the radical Islamic threat emanating from Afghanistan, and other countries, and then neutralize or preferably eliminate
that threat.
Right To Bear Arms
I firmly believe that the Right To Keep and Bear Arms is the singular inalienable right that protects all other rights. If
this right is lost or diluted, all other rights will surely be lost as well. I pledge that as a U.S. Representative, I will
diligently uphold my oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the enacted Amendments to the Constitution
of the United States of America.