In
attempting to develop this web site it would be impossible for me to cover every
conceivable issue that might be important to the various voters in District 43.
Below I will cover several issues (in no particular order) that I feel are important.
If there is another issue that is important to you, please contact me and I will
tell you what, if any, opinion I have regarding that issue.
Term Limits
Gun Control
Prison and Substance Abuse Reform
Illegal Immigration
Social Security
Tax Reform
Education
Term Limits - - Lord Acton said, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely!” Many a good person has gone to Washington only to overstay their welcome. I pledge that I will serve no more that 5 terms in the House of Representatives. The way I figure it - - its not really all about me! If in 10 years I can’t figure out how to train someone else to serve or figure out how to move up or over - - then you need to send me home!
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Gun Control - - I’ll be honest. I’m not sure why the average citizen needs armor piercing bullets and sub-machine guns. However, history has taught us that government imposed gun control in a free country doesn’t work - - ask England! And we definitely don’t need the gun control policies from the former Soviet Union. So until something better comes along, I support 2nd Amendment rights as outlined by the NRA. As the saying goes, “If they outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns.”
Back to Issues
Prison and Substance Abuse Reform - - This is an area where Faith-Based programs can really make a difference. If we really want to make our society a better place to raise our children, then we need to find ways that work and stop penalizing people just because they believe that “God is the answer.” Two programs come to mind (and I know there are others) when it comes to this subject. Chuck Colson’s prison ministries and Teen Challenge rehab programs have proven track records that are much more efficient than our government programs. As a minimum, the government needs to get out of their way and let them transform our society for the better. But a better idea is to help them help inmates and drug/alcohol abusers to once again become productive members of society.
Back to Issues
Illegal Immigration - - Well the first word says it all - - illegal! In my book illegal means illegal and this needs to be stopped/prosecuted. I am not anti-immigrant. Three of my formers students have just completed the lengthy process of becoming U.S. citizens - - the LEGAL way! And you should see the glow on their faces. It is obvious that illegal immigration is a very large drain on our society and needs to be addressed. But, I must be honest. This is a very complex issue that does not have simple answers. But those are answers that we must find.
Back to Issues
Social Security - - I regularly tell my students that I don’t expect to see much of my social security retirement. But if I become a Congressman then I won’t need to worry about it -- Congress has their own retirement plan so they don’t really need to worry about Social Security solvency. This is another area that has no easy answers. But I find it interesting that during the Clinton years, the Democrats were saying that Social Security was in trouble but they never came up with a workable plan. Now that President Bush is attempting to address the issue, all the Democrats can do is attack the President but not give any legitimate proposals. I agree with President Bush’s plan for personal savings accounts -- the kind that members of Congress are allowed to have!
Back to Issues
Tax Reform -- Three letters - - I.R.S. - - need I say more. It is obvious that our 55,000 page (or however big it is now) tax code needs overhauling. This is another complex issue with no simple answers. However, I feel that the idea of a flat-tax offers the best hope.
Back to Issues
Education - - As a group, classroom teachers are some of the most overworked and underpaid people in America!! And unfortunately their hands are often tied when it comes to ways to improve education in America. The two quickest ways to fix the educational mess in America are: First we need to return control of education to the parents and local officials. The death grip of federal (and to a lesser extent state) politicians and so-called educational unions needs to be broken. Second, we need to seriously look at the idea of vouchers. Now before we get crazy, lets look at two issues -- money and preschool/college education. If private schools can educate students for $3,000-$4,000 and public educations costs $8,000-$9,000 can someone explain to me why we don’t privatize education, split the difference, and pocket the profit? And, how about the “vouchers” for preschool children and college students? I don’t think that government money going to students who attend private colleges has had any negative impact on college education.
Back to Issues
Term Limits
Gun Control
Prison and Substance Abuse Reform
Illegal Immigration
Social Security
Tax Reform
Education
Term Limits - - Lord Acton said, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely!” Many a good person has gone to Washington only to overstay their welcome. I pledge that I will serve no more that 5 terms in the House of Representatives. The way I figure it - - its not really all about me! If in 10 years I can’t figure out how to train someone else to serve or figure out how to move up or over - - then you need to send me home!
Back to Issues
Gun Control - - I’ll be honest. I’m not sure why the average citizen needs armor piercing bullets and sub-machine guns. However, history has taught us that government imposed gun control in a free country doesn’t work - - ask England! And we definitely don’t need the gun control policies from the former Soviet Union. So until something better comes along, I support 2nd Amendment rights as outlined by the NRA. As the saying goes, “If they outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns.”
Back to Issues
Prison and Substance Abuse Reform - - This is an area where Faith-Based programs can really make a difference. If we really want to make our society a better place to raise our children, then we need to find ways that work and stop penalizing people just because they believe that “God is the answer.” Two programs come to mind (and I know there are others) when it comes to this subject. Chuck Colson’s prison ministries and Teen Challenge rehab programs have proven track records that are much more efficient than our government programs. As a minimum, the government needs to get out of their way and let them transform our society for the better. But a better idea is to help them help inmates and drug/alcohol abusers to once again become productive members of society.
Back to Issues
Illegal Immigration - - Well the first word says it all - - illegal! In my book illegal means illegal and this needs to be stopped/prosecuted. I am not anti-immigrant. Three of my formers students have just completed the lengthy process of becoming U.S. citizens - - the LEGAL way! And you should see the glow on their faces. It is obvious that illegal immigration is a very large drain on our society and needs to be addressed. But, I must be honest. This is a very complex issue that does not have simple answers. But those are answers that we must find.
Back to Issues
Social Security - - I regularly tell my students that I don’t expect to see much of my social security retirement. But if I become a Congressman then I won’t need to worry about it -- Congress has their own retirement plan so they don’t really need to worry about Social Security solvency. This is another area that has no easy answers. But I find it interesting that during the Clinton years, the Democrats were saying that Social Security was in trouble but they never came up with a workable plan. Now that President Bush is attempting to address the issue, all the Democrats can do is attack the President but not give any legitimate proposals. I agree with President Bush’s plan for personal savings accounts -- the kind that members of Congress are allowed to have!
Back to Issues
Tax Reform -- Three letters - - I.R.S. - - need I say more. It is obvious that our 55,000 page (or however big it is now) tax code needs overhauling. This is another complex issue with no simple answers. However, I feel that the idea of a flat-tax offers the best hope.
Back to Issues
Education - - As a group, classroom teachers are some of the most overworked and underpaid people in America!! And unfortunately their hands are often tied when it comes to ways to improve education in America. The two quickest ways to fix the educational mess in America are: First we need to return control of education to the parents and local officials. The death grip of federal (and to a lesser extent state) politicians and so-called educational unions needs to be broken. Second, we need to seriously look at the idea of vouchers. Now before we get crazy, lets look at two issues -- money and preschool/college education. If private schools can educate students for $3,000-$4,000 and public educations costs $8,000-$9,000 can someone explain to me why we don’t privatize education, split the difference, and pocket the profit? And, how about the “vouchers” for preschool children and college students? I don’t think that government money going to students who attend private colleges has had any negative impact on college education.
Back to Issues