[See also detailed discussions in separate sections]  

Historically, Congress has acted on problems on a piecemeal basis—without regard to the effect of individual actions on other problems of national concern. This has to change.

Actions on individual issues must be taken in the context of “the big picture.” MAKING GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE requires understanding that . . . issues do not exist in isolation . . . solutions to one problem have consequences for other problems . . . national problems cannot be fixed with “sound bite” solutions.

POSITION SUMMARY

MY PRIORITIES--the things I am going to work hardest on--are all related to making government responsible by bringing a more reasoned approach to how Congress addresses national problems. [Exactly what I will do to make government responsible is discussed in detail in "Views on Government."] However, the changes I will work for can only be made as Congress addresses individual issues.

In this section, I summarize my views on a few of the major issues of concern to voters and how I will approach them in the context of “the big picture.”

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QUICK SUMMARY OF MY VIEWS ON THE ISSUES

Abortion: Abortion is a matter of personal choice. Abortion rights are not a constitutionally proper subject for federal action. See Position Details

Adult Education and Job Training: Education and job training are life-long needs. It is in the national interest to promote continuing education. We need a major expansion of adult literacy and English as Second Language programs and a major increase in programs of job training and re-training. See Position Details

Drug Policy: Anything that grows naturally, and all of its derivatives, should be legalized—and its sale regulated and taxed. See Position Details

Economy and Jobs Creation: We must stop exporting our technology -- especially the product of government funded research -- and start making the things that other countries need.  We must re-establish the American manufacturing base. We need a new “Buy American Act” requiring the government to buy only products manufactured in America. We need to aggressively promote the formation and expansion of our own small businesses. See Position Details

Energy: Alternative sources of energy are essential to America’s future, but they will not solve the whole problem. Oil and coal will continue to be vital sources of energy.  We must find solutions to the conflict between the need for domestic exploration and environmental concerns. See Position Details

Environment: We need a cohesive and integrated environmental policy that balances the protection and preservation of natural resources with development and economic concerns. Our wilderness and wetlands need to be protected and preserved in a reasonable and rational way. See Position Details

Foreign Relations: We must respect the sovereignty and autonomy of all nations. I oppose unilateral intervention into the domestic affairs—whether social, economic or political--of any country. I oppose imposing our view of the “right” form of government or economic policy on any sovereign nation or its people—whether through force or economic coercion. See Position Details

Foreign Trade: Trade agreements should reflect the needs of American workers and consumers, NOT the “needs” of “Big Business.” See Poition Details

Gay Rights: Discrimination against anyone, anywhere, any time and for any reason is WRONG. End of story. See Position Details

Gun Control: I support the right to own guns appropriate for personal defense and recreational use, but I believe that a gun safety course should be required prior to purchasing a gun. For the sake of national uniformity, I believe we need a federal concealed weapons carrying law. See Position Details

Health Care: I endorse, in principle, the objective of making health insurance available to everyone, but I oppose any form of nationalized health insurance. I believe that the “health insurance crisis” can be solved through a partnership of government and private insurance companies. See Position Details

Immigration Reform: Immigration and border security are separate issues and need to be dealt with separately. I favor amnesty, with no financial penalty, and a clear path to citizenship. See Position Details

Labor-Management Relations: It is not proper for government to “take sides” by enacting legislation the favors (or benefits) either organized labor or business.  However, it is proper for government to maintain a "level playing field "and assure that business cannot take unfair advantage of the American worker.

National Security: National security should emphasize the defense of America. I support the maintenance of a sufficient military force to defend the United States against aggression but believe that the United States should not attempt to act as policeman for the world and should avoid entangling alliances. Military force is not the proper tool for “spreading democracy.” See Position Details

Personal Liberty: I defend each person's right to engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest and does not interfere with the rights of others. Bigotry and intolerance are irrational and repugnant and I oppose any action that denies anyone the rights and privileges enjoyed by anyone else.

Poverty and Public Assistance: Our poverty and public assistance system needs a major overhaul. We should help people as long as they are willing to help themselves, and we must simplify access to assistance programs by establishing common eligibility rules for all programs. See Position Details

Public Education: Public education is a state and local function. Schools are not the proper tools for addressing social needs or the problems of social inequities. The federal government should stay out of the classroom. But the federal government should help local school districts with financial assistance to modernize their facilities and science laboratories, assure the availability of appropriate textbooks for all students and expand vocational education in our high schools. See Position Details

Serviceman and Veterans: Servicemen and veterans must be honored—paid well while in service; given all the care they need for injury suffered in their service and assisted in their pursuit of higher education and re-entry into the workforce.See Position Details

Small Businesses: We need a national initiative to promote small business start-up and expansion with increased federal loans, tax incentives, regulatory relief and tax incentives for private lenders. See Position Details

Social Security: Insurance companies and pension actuaries know how to maintain fiscally sound retirement plans. The government should be able to do at least as well. Congress needs to stop using the Social Security “Trust Fund” as a piggy-bank for the government. See Position Details

Tax Reform: Debating tax “rates” makes for good political theater, but what we need is major reform. I favor a “consumption” based income tax. But, short of that, we need: (a) a uniform tax schedule for all individual taxpayers; (b) a single tax schedule for all business, regardless of form and (c) a complete matching of deductions with reportable income. See Position Details

Terrorism: We need a strong, efficient and effective system of intelligence gathering—but not at the expense of personal privacy.

WHAT I WILL DO ABOUT THE ISSUES

 My priority as your Congressman will be on MAKING GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE by bringing a disciplined approach to the legislative and budgeting process.

We cannot afford to address all of the issues that have spending implications. Therefore, I will make every effort to limit Congressional action on "issues" to actions that promote--and, as necessary, reward--private action and empower the States to address issues that I do not believe are the proper subject for federal action.

As issues come before Congress, I will consider them based on the positions summarized above and in the detailed discussions contained in other parts of this presentation. However, I believe that my greatest contribution to any debate on the issues will be in ...

... Assuring that ALL sides of the issue are heard and fully considered.

... Assuring that Congress gives full consideration to all the consequences of proposed enactments.

... Assuring that the activities of all agencies responsible for the administration of federal programs are coordinated to the fullest possible extent.

... Assuring that "Issues" related legislation does not increase the size of the federal bureaucracy.

... Assuring that all programs that Congress chooses to enact are sufficiently funded to actually achieve their objectives

 I do not even pretend to be an expert on all the issues discussed here. Although I have researched these topics extensively, I welcome opposing views and am always willing to be educated.  I am certain that you have views on many of these issues, and I hope you will share them by adding a comment in the "Issues Forum." 

 For anyone interested in learning more about the issues and the facts on which I base my views, I have detailed Issues Papers that are available on request.  Issues Papers are available on the following topics:

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