(1) Out of control federal spending; (2) the national debt: I am truly amazed that with all the so-called experts in Washington that they continue to spend money that we do not have. We can not spend our way out of debt!!!

 

If we apply some COMMON SENSE to the problem and have the courage to be honest with ourselves, the answers are simple. (1) Stop spending money that we don’t have, (2) Stop funding programs that are not authorized by the Constitution.

 

(3) The loss of personal liberty in this country. Our Constitution is supposed to PROTECT our individual liberties. In fact, the vast majority of laws have restricted the liberties of our people. This needs to be reversed and those in Washington who think they are above the law, need to be held accountable for their actions. They do not dictate. They are supposed to REPRESENT us.

 

Getting Americans back to work is the best way to recover from the recession. When people have jobs, they pay taxes and have the money to put back into the economy and to save for their retirement.

 

If we study the history of the 20’s, 60’s and ‘80’s, we see what was done to get people back to work. We can apply the same solutions today and get the same results. I will identify and work to repeal laws and regulations that put restrictions on the private sector. Permanently lower taxes on businesses and individuals. Uncertainty of the future and high taxes discourage employers from hiring. It has worked in the past and it will work today. Government is not the solution to our problems – government is the problem.

 

The most egregious thing was his vote for the TARP bill. These monies were used to bail-out the unions of those car companies contrary to the spirit of bankruptcy law which exists to help a company get a fresh start. These are not the values and principles our country was founded on and I believe it violated the Rule of Law.

Yes I believe the Republican Party has failed to live up to its stated ideals. When the Republicans gained control of Congress in 1994, they promised to eliminate the deficit and reduce wasteful spending. For several years, the GOP partly upheld its commitment by modestly curtailing spending growth and balancing the budget.

 

Unfortunately, the balanced budgets of the late 1990s created an "easy money" mindset in Congress; this began a spending spree that continues unabated today. Total federal outlays rose 29 percent between fiscal years 2001 and 2005. Real discretionary spending increases in fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004 are three of the five biggest annual increases in the last 40 years. Large spending increases have been the principal cause of the government’s return to massive budget deficits.

 

Everyone talks a good game when they speak of our kids and grandkids, common sense and a belief in the Constitution. They will tell you what they think you want to hear. I will not tell you what you want to hear, I will tell you what I BELIEVE. I am not looking for a career in politics; however, all of my younger opponents do want a career in government.

 

I believe that our country is in grave peril and the future of my grandkids is in question and I will not rely on anyone to protect their future. I bring a lifetime of experience in the working world, common sense, wisdom, honor and integrity. I bring passion for the Constitution as written by our founding fathers and the knowledge of what made this country great. I am not doing this because I want to but because I have to.

 

The Preamble in the Constitution states “provide for the common defense and to promote the general Welfare”. I see no words in the Constitution as written that the federal government has the authority to provide health care. This should be done by private entities or taken up at the state level.

 

I would propose and support the removal of any restrictions that limit a company’s ability to sell health insurance across state lines. I support a plan that allows states, small businesses, associations, and other organizations to band together and offer health insurance at lower costs.

I would oppose laws that mandate that individuals purchase insurance or any government run healthcare programs.

 

 

I would work to repeal any laws and programs that are not authorized by the Constitution. There is an old western saying “when you find yourself at the bottom of a hole, the first thing you do is stop digging”. We don’t need to simply freeze spending; we need to stop spending on government programs not authorized by the Constitution.

 

We did this on our local School Board. Because our funding was cut by 10% this year and another 10% next year we had no options but to cut our budget. We were forced to identify budget items that were not essential to education. By being creative and using out-of-the-box thinking, we met our goal of a balanced budget for next year. This can be done at the Federal level.

 

I would reduce taxes in every way possible because this has been proven over and over to increase revenue.

 

I would promote energy policies that remove barriers or restrictionson private energy companies from exploration and or producing energy. This includes oil exploration and production, nuclear and coal burning power plants.

 

I would oppose any federal subsidies for any company to invent or build new energy products. This should be left up to private sector or state governments.

I believe in personal responsibility and that also means personal liberty. But it will take 40 to 50 years to eliminate our dependence on the federal government taking care of our every need. I would start by requiring taxpayers in their 20’s to start their own retirement funds by using the 7.5% that is deducted from their pay checks. The 7.5% from the employer would still be paid into Social Security to take care of those who are currently drawing Social Security benefits.

 

Then develop a fair and equitable formula for those between the ages of 30 – 65 years of age with the end goal of Americans being personally accountable for their retirement.

 

This problem didn’t start yesterday and it won’t be solved tomorrow. We need to deal with our dependence on government, and start taking care of ourselves. This also applies to Medicare and Medicaid.

 

While I am personally pro-life, it is NOT the role of federal government to be involved in this issue one way or the other. It should be left up to the individual states to address this issue.

 

 

While I am personally pro-family and pro-marriage (one man and one woman), I do not believe it is the role of the federal government to be involved in this issue one way or the other. It should be left up to the individual states to address this issue.

 

 

I believe that defending this country is the primary and most important Constitutional function of our federal government. Our borders are not secure. I believe that our State Department is not properly screening people from rogue countries. Terrorists with student or work visas enter our country and we are not tracking their locations after entry.

 

On 9-11, 16 of 19 hijackers were here on “legal” student visas but were not in school or in the states they were supposed to be in. Ten years later we are still not policing who we grant visas. When we gave a visa to a Nigerian who had made two trips to Yemen, bought a one-way ticket with cash, and had no passport, this tells me someone is not doing their job!

 

Millions crossing our border without our knowledge constitutes a clear threat to our security. I recognize that this country has been enriched by those who seek the freedom tomake a life for themselves here. I would give illegal one year to learn English, pass a citizenship test and become a US citizen and to start paying taxes. After that time, illegals should be deported. I will work to secure our borders immediately. The use E-verify database must be required by all employers. We CAN start to tackle this with COMMON SENSE solutions.

 

When we subsidize “something” – we create more of that “something”. Taxpayers should not be forced to pay for welfare, medical care and other expenses for illegal aliens. I don’t support amnesty. People here should respect our laws.

 

 

I am a gun owner who believes in the 2^nd Amendment which states “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed”. The term arms include other military weapons and armor.

 

History has shown that when the government tries to control or remove guns from the citizens, dictators will come to pass. I will always support gun owners.

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