National Security / Terrorism:
America is at war. I want our armed forces appropriately-sized, sensibly-deployed, and properly-supported to prosecute their vital missions in our Nation's defense. I support the President's response following 9/11/01, and I thank God for the valiant performance of the men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces, who are keeping armed conflict away from our shores. Congress must fund protection against terrorists on a sustained basis. Our border and port security remain inadequate after Islamic terrorist attacks on American property and citizens in 1979, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2001. WAKE UP, AMERICA!
Immigration Control:
America's borders must be secure. Those who have entered our country illegally should return/be returned to their country of origin. Illegal immigrants must conform to legal due process to obtain U.S. work credentials
or qualify for citizenship. If they want to return to the United States, they should apply for entry legally. If they choose to become citizens, they should go to the end of the line and apply legally. I do not support
amnesty, lest it spur even more foreign invasion.
We should secure our borders through a combination of barriers, patrols (including National Guard), and high-tech surveillance devices. Employers
must share accountability for compliance. The Border Patrol must be strengthened to enforce immigration laws, process applicants more efficiently, and apprehend fugitives.
Energy Independence:
America must become energy-independent as a high priority. I favor legislation which moves aggressively in fuel conservation, subsidizes alternative fuels research (including renewed emphasis on nuclear power), and provides tax incentives to accelerate compliance.
Taxes:
I believe taxpayers are overburdened and that our current income tax structure is broken beyond repair. I support the Fair Tax as the best alternative to our current tax system, since it taxes consumption, not production.
Abortion:
My advice to any pregnant woman is pro-life. I abhor the horrific procedure known as partial-birth abortion, or any abortion in the third trimester of pregnancy. But young women will get pregnant by mistake, and I do not want them being sent to jail because they have decided to abort their pregnancy for whatever reason. The Federal Government has no rightful place in this matter. If this view defies a consistent pro-life or pro-choice label, that is YOUR problem.
Gun Control:
I own several rifles, shotguns, and pistols, have been thoroughly trained in their use, safety, and maintenance. I support the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Definition of Marriage:
I support defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. I do NOT see the need for that being an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Education Excellence:
America must regain its pre-eminence in technology to remain competitive. The Congress should assist in setting standards for education of our citizens, including periodic accountability from the States to qualify for Federal funding. It should intensify incentives for those students who successfully pursue the more demanding math and science curricula. I support Opportunity Scholarships to allow students to attend private schools and therefore not be left behind in failing schools.
Healthcare/Entitlements Stability:
Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are among our most valuable social programs, but they must be enhanced with greater emphasis on patient safety, streamlined record keeping, future tax-advantaged credits, and protection for future generations. Our Veterans and their unique needs deserve our special attention.
New View of Cuba:
Congress must insist any relaxation of our 40-yr. embargo on Cuba be pre-conditioned upon Cuba's concessions on human and property rights, consistent with what we have demanded from other world trading partners (some of whom are past adversaries, e.g. Russia, China, Vietnam, Libya). With Cuba planning to drill for oil in the Florida Straits employing Chinese and Indian engineers, a continuation of the stale U.S. embargo looms counterproductive; it has not helped America, nor hurt Cuba.
Disaster Preparation:
Congress must fund a National Readiness System to periodically test each State's response to natural and man-made (terrorist) catastrophes. Florida has proven its readiness, and should be a model for others. If that means a national disaster insurance program, we must ensure all foreseeable calamities are covered to inspire all states to participate, and thereby spread the risk.
Fiscal Integrity:
Congress must cease its time-worn habit of "earmarking" pork barrel spending. All components of non-classified legislation must be exposed to timely public transparency and debate. We are rapidly evolving to a credo of PROVIDING the National Welfare. The Constitution only says PROMOTE the National Welfare.
Environmental Control:
Congress must replace restrictive policies of the past which are stalling progress today, e.g. disincentives for new petroleum refineries and nuclear power plants. We need to accelerate scientific/technical remedies to air/ocean toxicity, spoilage of live coral reefs, red tide, global warming, and water conservation/purity.
Federal Apprenticeship Service:
We should attract qualified high school graduates to community colleges, and concurrently provide orientation/apprenticeships in agencies of Federal/State governments, including the U.S. Military and States' National Guards. The principal purposes are to learn a patriotic profession, plus a credo for inspired public service.
