I am running for Congress because if good people don’t run towards the fire, this Congress and this administration will permanently damage America. My wife Rene and I have three young children–one in kindergarten, a two-year old and a newborn–and I am determined to prevent the Pelosi-Perlmutter Congress and the Obama administration from destroying the country that my children will one day inherit. I am equally determined to prevent government bureaucrats from dictating key healthcare choices affecting my eight-six year old Mom. 

The last time I went to Iraq, it was as a Citizen-Soldier, part of a proud National Guard tradition. I want to go to Washington as part of another tradition that our Founders intended–as a Citizen-Statesman. I want to continue to serve; to use my deep background in the private sector and the military to help rebuild our economy the right way and keep America safe. 

What are the most pressing problems facing our country that you hope to address as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives? 

Government Spending and National Debt. I am committed to controlling spending, returning to a balanced budget and reducing our national debt. 

Private Sector Growth of America’s Economy. If elected, I will work to foster an environment that encourages private sector innovation. Doing so includes pro-growth tax and trade policies, and an education system that produces more scientists and engineers. 

Energy Policy. Our national strategy should use every technology and resource available to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and boost our economy – including nuclear power, domestic oil, natural gas, and clean coal, as well as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and other renewable energy sources.

 

Securing Our Borders. A strong effort to stop illegal immigration should include (i) using the latest technology and methods to secure our northern and southern borders, (ii) workplace enforcement to reduce demand, (iii) improved intelligence gathering and sharing, and (iv) improved state and local support of federal enforcement; sanctuary cities such as Denver and Aurora exacerbate the problem.

Strong National Security Policy. I believe in a strong, stable national security policy, and I understand the technology and tactics required to enact that strategy. 

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives what specifically would you do to help the country recover from the recession? 

I would work to create an environment in which private sector innovation and entrepreneurship flourish. Small businesses create the majority of new jobs in America. It is small business–not a larger government bureaucracy–that will lift America back up. Businesses will be encouraged to hire when they have confidence that the government is embracing responsible pro-growth policies. I will work to control government spending and the debt. I will advocate tax policies that incentivize businesses to locate in the United States and expand; including lower corporate, capital gains, personal and small business taxes. I will support trade policies that help businesses sell abroad where 90% of the world’s consumers live. I will work for education policies that produce more scientists and engineers–and fewer lawyers and money managers. 

What do you think is the most egregious thing your Democratic opponent has done that you plan to oppose if elected in 2010?

Ed Perlmutter is an unapologetic Pelosi Democrat. He has voted with Speaker Pelosi more than 97% of the time; including on health care (he’s for the “public option”), cap and trade, the so-called stimulus and the Detroit bailouts. He’s a sponsor of union card check legislation. His recent support for the House financial regulation bill and a tax on stock trading earned him wide criticism from across the political spectrum. Even the liberal Huffington Post carried an investigation into Perlmutter’s cozy relationship with the financial services industry: (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/11/house-democrat-ed-permlut_n_387064.html). Although Perlmutter likes to portray himself as a moderate, his extreme voting record renders him far out of touch with his constituents.

The 614,500 residents of this district deserve mature, common sense leadership in Congress. Too often Ed Perlmutter has ignored our interests–those of all the men and women who are working everyday to manage a household, hold down a job and raise their children. 

Has the Republican Party failed to live up to its stated ideals in the past several years? If so, how?

The answer is yes.

Once in power, many GOP members embraced the big spending ways of Washington, and the party of small government lost its credibility with the American people on a core issue. And as the Abramoff and other scandals revealed, some members engaged in unethical and illegal activities that soiled the GOP’s reputation.

The Iraq War strategy was deeply flawed for several years. Former President Bush deserves credit for ultimately making necessary changes despite strong opposition, but the delay in instituting those policies had a cost; most importantly for our troops, but also politically at home and abroad.

That said, 2010 is shaping up to be a promising year for Republicans, in large part because the party is returning to its values of smaller government, responsible spending and expanded economic freedom. We can ensure this success–and ensure that GOP representatives govern responsibly once elected–if the party backs candidates who have a demonstrated history of service and leadership by example. 

What do you bring to the job of a Representative that your primary opponents do not? 

I’m not the flashiest candidate in this race. But if there is one thing America has learned over the last year, it is the value of maturity and substance over oratory.

 

I’ve already sworn an oath to defend our Constitution, and have upheld that oath under challenging circumstances overseas. Just as I went to Iraq as a Citizen-Soldier, I will go to Washington as the Founders intended–as a Citizen-Statesman. And I’ll bring knowledge and experience in the private sector and the combat military that none of my primary opponents can match.

I encourage voters to take a very close look at my record (http://langsias.com/about). You’ll see over two decades of excellence in highly competitive environments; including leading some of the finest fighter pilots in the Navy and Marine Corps at Topgun, and helping Colorado entrepreneurs build technology businesses. 

My background makes me the only candidate prepared to stand against Ed Perlmutter in 2010, and to battle effectively in Congress against Nancy Pelosi and her allies to rebuild our economy and keep America safe.

What should the federal government’s role be in reducing the cost of healthcare? What specific things would you propose or support? What kind of laws would you oppose? 

I have proudly signed Club for Growth’s “Repeal It” pledge, promising to repeal any Pelosi-Reid-Obama health care legislation (“PRObamaCare”), and to work for responsible reform of our health care system. 

With Medicare’s unfunded liability at approximately $38 trillion, and patient costs rising rapidly, I will work to find ways to reduce costs for the government and patients, while maintaining high standards of care and patient freedom. Ed Perlmutter and Nancy Pelosi are taking the wrong approach – huge tax increases, higher costs, reduced quality of care and restricted patient freedom. 

The federal government’s role in reducing the cost of healthcare should include removing obstacles to the efficient operation of the market. Specific measures that I would support include allowing individuals and businesses to purchase health insurance across state lines, and tort reform to greatly reduce the negative impact of frivolous lawsuits and unnecessary defensive medicine. Common sense also dictates that we consider ways to shift from a third party payer system to a system in which individuals receiving care have a vested interest in its price. 

How are you going to deal with the federal government’s deficit spending? What specifically would you cut to balance the budget? Would you raise taxes?

President Obama’s recent budget increases our annual deficit to over 10% of GDP, and would add $8.5 trillion to the national debt and collect $2 trillion in additional taxes over the next ten years. This will increase our debt/GDP ratio to nearly 80%, the highest level since World War II.

 

In Congress, I pledge to work hard to rein in the obscene spending that threatens our future.  I pledge to vote against cap and trade and other irresponsible legislation that will undermine our economy. I will promote pro-growth policies that will grow the economy. I will insist that we honestly “pay as we go” for any new programs. I will support a federal discretionary spending freeze, with certain exceptions (including for veterans). I will work to reform the entitlement programs that lie at the core of our spending crisis. 

No, I will not vote for new taxes. American taxpayers are already shouldering enough of a burden. 

What type of energy policies would you promote or oppose as a member of Congress?

I support an “all of the above” energy policy that uses every technology and resource available to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and boost our economy, while remaining responsible stewards of the environment. This includes nuclear power, domestic oil (on and off-shore), natural gas and clean coal, as well as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and other renewable energy sources. 

We currently import approximately 60% of our oil–$300 billion in 2007, nearly one half of our entire trade deficit. Bringing some of this money home to America will improve our economy and make us safer by reducing the power and leverage of hostile, oil producing nations.

We must boost our economy by producing more energy at a lower cost. Domestic and worldwide demand for energy will increase significantly over the next two decades, and we must plan intelligently to increase our supply or we will suffer a decline in our standard of living. 

We have the technology and expertise to safely increase our domestic energy supply.  It is time for us to use it.

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are all headed for bankruptcy. What solutions do you support to fix this situation? 

First, we must protect our seniors who have worked hard all of their lives and paid into the system for decades. Our retirees deserve nothing less than our best effort to honor our commitment to them.  In Congress I will take into careful consideration any and all ideas for responsible measures that that create efficiencies and yet still provide for our elderly citizens. I will not vote to raise taxes to accomplish these reforms. 

Do you think there is a Constitutional right to abortion? Explain your answer? Would you vote to make abortion illegal? Would you have exceptions?

I believe the unborn are vested with the right to life and will vote accordingly in Congress. For example, I support the Stupak Amendment which prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for any abortions or to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that includes coverage of abortion. 

Do you think government has an obligation to legally recognize same-sex relationships with a marriage license or some other form of official recognition? Explain your reasoning.

I believe the definition of marriage is that between and a man and a woman, and I believe that the people of Colorado spoke clearly on this issue in 2008. I support the Defense of Marriage Act (DoMA), which passed in 1996 and defines marriage as a legal union exclusively as between and man and a woman. No state should be required to recognize a civil union created in another state.

What do you think is the most pressing foreign policy problem facing this country and what do you think the federal government should do about it?

After twenty-three years of military service, including multiple deployments overseas in the air and on the ground, and duty as an instructor at the Navy Fighter Weapons School (Topgun), I understand the issues, the technology and tactics required to enact a strong, steady approach to national security. This includes:

–Recognizing that the debt is arguably our greatest threat; if we voluntarily bankrupt ourselves, we sacrifice our military and lose our diplomatic leverage.

–Using cutting edge technology and (Israeli) methods to improve airport security and border security.

–Treating terrorists as enemy combatants not common criminals.

–Improving intelligence sharing both at the national level and among national, state and local agencies.

–Aggressively pursuing terrorists abroad before they can threaten us in America.

–Unequivocally standing up against totalitarian regimes (including Iran) that threaten our interests.

–Remembering who our friends are (including Israel) and not seeing moral equivalency where it does not exist.

–Never sending our troops overseas without a clear mission and public support and resources.
–Pursuing an “all of the above” energy policy that reduces our dependence on foreign oil. 

How would you deal with illegal immigration? What do you think the government should do with all the illegal immigrants living in this country? 

Securing our borders is a matter of national security; we risk attack from terrorist who cross our borders with weapons of mass destruction. Securing our borders is also a matter of economic security; we need look no further than our emergency rooms and jails to see the cost of illegal immigration to America. Securing our borders is a matter of respecting the rule of law. 

We have the resources to do this, but we must also have the will. 

A strong effort to stop illegal immigration should include (i) using the latest technology and methods to secure our northern and southern borders, (ii) workplace enforcement to reduce demand, (iii) improved intelligence gathering and sharing, and (iv) improved state and local support of federal enforcement efforts; sanctuary cities such as Denver and Aurora exacerbate the problem.

Do you think gun ownership in this country is over regulated or under regulated? Explain your answer. 

I believe the Supreme Court reached the correct decision in the Heller opinion. As a gun owner and strong believer in our Second Amendment rights, I believe that law abiding gun owners are often over-regulated. If I elected I will vigorously oppose any laws that put limits on the right of qualified citizens to keep and bear arms.