On The Issues
National Defense: As a former service member, I love our nation's military. They sacrifice time away from their loved ones in austere and dangerous conditions for little pay and they promote the dignity of freedom around the globe. May God continue to bless and sustain them and their families in their praiseworthy efforts. It is the obligation and responsibility of our government to ensure they have the finest equipment, the budget, training and pay available. The Veterans Administration can be streamlined and funded to function more efficiently. We cannot turn our backs on our veterans. They deserve our respect and access to the medical treatment and programs they need from the Veterans Administration. Anything less is unacceptable.
As a current member of the intelligence community, I can tell you firsthand that work is performed many of you will never know about. Those in the intelligence community need the capability to do their jobs without constant congressional meddling and oversight. They are on the front lines in the war on terror and do fabulous work to keep us safe. Let's keep it that way.
Honorable Service: I will serve with honor and integrity. It should not be so difficult to accomplish this task and I will prove it. It involves actually listening to my district and being sincerely concerned for its needs and well-being. I will not tolerate lobbyists nor those who are beholden to them. I will answer mail, phone calls and email personally. I am disappointed with generic letters from staffers that don't address issues. I will keep you apprised of votes and progress made to improve your quality of life and defend your freedoms. Any legislation I sponsor or co-sponsor or vote on will be published on my website for you to view.
Fiscal Discipline and Responsibility: Government service should not be about money and perks. Our current Congressmen and women and Senators make at a minimum $174,000 per year. They will tell you they need this exorbitant salary because they need to maintain two residences. There are 100 Senators and 435 Congressmen and women. A 40% salary reduction will save over $37 million per year RIGHT NOW. With the savings from a salary reduction, a barracks or dormitory or apartment building can be constructed to house our elected officials. If it's good enough for our deployed armed forces, it's good enough for me.
Business owners are suffering under oppressive taxes. Is it any wonder that larger corporations are moving to other countries with lower tax rates? The corporate tax rate needs to either be eliminated or slashed from 35% to 15%. History has shown when you take the shackles of unreasonable taxes off, economies and businesses prosper. Second, our progressive tax code is over 9 million words and rising. It needs to be abolished, trashed and burned. The IRS hotline answers tax questions incorrectly on average 25% of the time; yet, we are responsible to pay for their errors. I defy anyone to explain the tax code with accuracy. In its place, the United States will benefit enormously from an across the board 15% flat tax with a few exemptions. There are currently over 20 countries in the world who have installed the flat tax, including Russia! Every country that has installed it has seen tax revenues INCREASE and their economies see explosive growth in addition to its citizens keeping more of their income. The IRS can be dissolved and tax returns can be done on a postcard. We should be tired of a government that taxes its citizens into oblivion and then wastes our tax money on ridiculous projects and things we can't afford and don't need. Another aspect of fiscal responsibility is refusing to bail out companies for bad business practices. Just as I am held accountable for my actions, so, too, should businesses. We should not be rescuing people from bad choices.
Our Borders: We must insist our laws are enforced regarding our borders. People who are here illegally should not be rewarded with any sort of amnesty or benefits or a job. When caught, they should be returned to their country of origin. Those companies that hire illegal aliens should be punished and punished severely. This will result in attrition. If there are no jobs available for the illegals, they will leave on their own. Sanctuary cities like San Francisco and others should lose ALL federal funding. The E-Verify system should be law.
The problem with our porous southern border is not only Mexico. Terrorists can and have crossed our southern border and this presents a clear danger and unacceptable national security risk. The risks to Americans from drug cartels, grand theft auto, gang violence, identity theft and terrorism should not be tolerated nor should the drain on our nation's welfare system and hospitals.
Education: The Federal Government does not belong in the education business. The US Education Department employs over 4000 people who don't teach one student and has a budget over $40 billion. The state and local levels know our educational needs better than the Federal Government. Teachers unions should not be involved in politics. School choice and charter schools are beneficial to education because they foster competition. Education money should be returned to the states. Our educational shortfalls are not a result of lack of funding. Our students are behind many countries in math and science and they must catch up. Non-performing teachers need to find another profession. Bureaucracy is the problem, not the solution.
Health Care: I oppose universal, government sponsored health care. We have the best health care in the world and we should not be punished for it. Some choose not to have health coverage, some cannot afford it. Competition and choice lowers costs. Retail health clinics are inexpensive and successful because they are not federally regulated. We need the capability to purchase coverage across state lines and the government needs to eliminate the over 1,900 mandates in coverage. Frivolous lawsuits and government mandates drive up the costs of insurance for everyone. Tort reform and choice of coverage and doctors are essential. We must get those in our country illegally off Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP. There is a better way than costly, ineffective universal healthcare. Health care is not a right, it is a consumable service the government cannot do as well as the private sector. It can be improved without interference from the government.
The 2nd Amendment: I will defend the 2nd Amendment. I will oppose any legislation that infringes on the right of law abiding Americans to keep and bear arms. Our Founding Fathers saw fit to include this in our rights and I will oppose any legislation to take it away. The 2nd Amendment was intended to protect us from government tyranny. If it is taken away, the rest of our freedoms will surely follow.
American Values and the Right to Life: I will defend the American family. It has been said that "no success can compensate for failure in the home" and I truly believe that. Our families are under assault. I will oppose efforts to further attack American families and values by the United Nations and government officials like Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Boxer. I oppose gay marriage and civil unions. As a father of two wonderful kids, I believe that life begins at conception. I will defend the life and rights of the unborn by unconditionally opposing abortion. I support overturning Roe vs. Wade and returning to the states the right to make their own laws.
Energy: I support solar and wind technology research and usage as well as nuclear technology but not at the expense of ignoring what resources we already have available to us. We should be drilling in ANWR and elsewhere in the continental United States. We already have producing oil wells that have been capped we can utilize to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. Drilling will also produce more jobs for Americans. Oil itself will do no good without refineries. More refineries dispersed across the United States will protect us against oil shortages when natural disasters like hurricanes strike. The result of more drilling and more refineries will produce not only oil company jobs, but will boost the real-estate industry and benefit the other service related industries that come along with it. These refineries can also be converted to alternate fuel production. This is a win-win scenario.
Limited Government: Our government has grown exponentially over the last decade. Our national budgets and deficits have increased significantly. If this trend continues, we will see an erosion of our freedoms, more government intrusion into our lives and a higher tax burden placed on us. The government cannot and should not be all things to all people. I favor shrinking our government by abolishing the growing bureaucracies like the Department of Homeland Security and Education Department, Department of Energy and several other money pit agencies. We must shrink our government and cut out the wasteful use of our tax dollars. The private sector is where jobs and wealth are created, not the government.
As a current member of the intelligence community, I can tell you firsthand that work is performed many of you will never know about. Those in the intelligence community need the capability to do their jobs without constant congressional meddling and oversight. They are on the front lines in the war on terror and do fabulous work to keep us safe. Let's keep it that way.
Honorable Service: I will serve with honor and integrity. It should not be so difficult to accomplish this task and I will prove it. It involves actually listening to my district and being sincerely concerned for its needs and well-being. I will not tolerate lobbyists nor those who are beholden to them. I will answer mail, phone calls and email personally. I am disappointed with generic letters from staffers that don't address issues. I will keep you apprised of votes and progress made to improve your quality of life and defend your freedoms. Any legislation I sponsor or co-sponsor or vote on will be published on my website for you to view.
Fiscal Discipline and Responsibility: Government service should not be about money and perks. Our current Congressmen and women and Senators make at a minimum $174,000 per year. They will tell you they need this exorbitant salary because they need to maintain two residences. There are 100 Senators and 435 Congressmen and women. A 40% salary reduction will save over $37 million per year RIGHT NOW. With the savings from a salary reduction, a barracks or dormitory or apartment building can be constructed to house our elected officials. If it's good enough for our deployed armed forces, it's good enough for me.
Business owners are suffering under oppressive taxes. Is it any wonder that larger corporations are moving to other countries with lower tax rates? The corporate tax rate needs to either be eliminated or slashed from 35% to 15%. History has shown when you take the shackles of unreasonable taxes off, economies and businesses prosper. Second, our progressive tax code is over 9 million words and rising. It needs to be abolished, trashed and burned. The IRS hotline answers tax questions incorrectly on average 25% of the time; yet, we are responsible to pay for their errors. I defy anyone to explain the tax code with accuracy. In its place, the United States will benefit enormously from an across the board 15% flat tax with a few exemptions. There are currently over 20 countries in the world who have installed the flat tax, including Russia! Every country that has installed it has seen tax revenues INCREASE and their economies see explosive growth in addition to its citizens keeping more of their income. The IRS can be dissolved and tax returns can be done on a postcard. We should be tired of a government that taxes its citizens into oblivion and then wastes our tax money on ridiculous projects and things we can't afford and don't need. Another aspect of fiscal responsibility is refusing to bail out companies for bad business practices. Just as I am held accountable for my actions, so, too, should businesses. We should not be rescuing people from bad choices.
Our Borders: We must insist our laws are enforced regarding our borders. People who are here illegally should not be rewarded with any sort of amnesty or benefits or a job. When caught, they should be returned to their country of origin. Those companies that hire illegal aliens should be punished and punished severely. This will result in attrition. If there are no jobs available for the illegals, they will leave on their own. Sanctuary cities like San Francisco and others should lose ALL federal funding. The E-Verify system should be law.
The problem with our porous southern border is not only Mexico. Terrorists can and have crossed our southern border and this presents a clear danger and unacceptable national security risk. The risks to Americans from drug cartels, grand theft auto, gang violence, identity theft and terrorism should not be tolerated nor should the drain on our nation's welfare system and hospitals.
Education: The Federal Government does not belong in the education business. The US Education Department employs over 4000 people who don't teach one student and has a budget over $40 billion. The state and local levels know our educational needs better than the Federal Government. Teachers unions should not be involved in politics. School choice and charter schools are beneficial to education because they foster competition. Education money should be returned to the states. Our educational shortfalls are not a result of lack of funding. Our students are behind many countries in math and science and they must catch up. Non-performing teachers need to find another profession. Bureaucracy is the problem, not the solution.
Health Care: I oppose universal, government sponsored health care. We have the best health care in the world and we should not be punished for it. Some choose not to have health coverage, some cannot afford it. Competition and choice lowers costs. Retail health clinics are inexpensive and successful because they are not federally regulated. We need the capability to purchase coverage across state lines and the government needs to eliminate the over 1,900 mandates in coverage. Frivolous lawsuits and government mandates drive up the costs of insurance for everyone. Tort reform and choice of coverage and doctors are essential. We must get those in our country illegally off Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP. There is a better way than costly, ineffective universal healthcare. Health care is not a right, it is a consumable service the government cannot do as well as the private sector. It can be improved without interference from the government.
The 2nd Amendment: I will defend the 2nd Amendment. I will oppose any legislation that infringes on the right of law abiding Americans to keep and bear arms. Our Founding Fathers saw fit to include this in our rights and I will oppose any legislation to take it away. The 2nd Amendment was intended to protect us from government tyranny. If it is taken away, the rest of our freedoms will surely follow.
American Values and the Right to Life: I will defend the American family. It has been said that "no success can compensate for failure in the home" and I truly believe that. Our families are under assault. I will oppose efforts to further attack American families and values by the United Nations and government officials like Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Boxer. I oppose gay marriage and civil unions. As a father of two wonderful kids, I believe that life begins at conception. I will defend the life and rights of the unborn by unconditionally opposing abortion. I support overturning Roe vs. Wade and returning to the states the right to make their own laws.
Energy: I support solar and wind technology research and usage as well as nuclear technology but not at the expense of ignoring what resources we already have available to us. We should be drilling in ANWR and elsewhere in the continental United States. We already have producing oil wells that have been capped we can utilize to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. Drilling will also produce more jobs for Americans. Oil itself will do no good without refineries. More refineries dispersed across the United States will protect us against oil shortages when natural disasters like hurricanes strike. The result of more drilling and more refineries will produce not only oil company jobs, but will boost the real-estate industry and benefit the other service related industries that come along with it. These refineries can also be converted to alternate fuel production. This is a win-win scenario.
Limited Government: Our government has grown exponentially over the last decade. Our national budgets and deficits have increased significantly. If this trend continues, we will see an erosion of our freedoms, more government intrusion into our lives and a higher tax burden placed on us. The government cannot and should not be all things to all people. I favor shrinking our government by abolishing the growing bureaucracies like the Department of Homeland Security and Education Department, Department of Energy and several other money pit agencies. We must shrink our government and cut out the wasteful use of our tax dollars. The private sector is where jobs and wealth are created, not the government.
