Top 3 Focus Issues:

1. Fiscal and Tax Policy
2. Job Creation
3. Energy Policy
 

Fiscal and Tax Policy

I am a fiscal conservative committed to lower taxes, reduced government spending and disciplined deficit reduction. I will insist on Congressional oversight of bureaucratic spending and renew our focus on results.  For too long, we have been spending money we don’t have on programs and agencies that have not produced results, and we must reduce federal spending and provide real oversight on the performance of every federal agency, just as is demanded in the private marketplace. It is the job of Congress to provide this oversight, and replace agency heads that do not perform and provide appropriate return on our massive taxpayer investment. Congress must make the distinction on priority spending in government, work within a budget, and stop spending now the future taxes our children have yet to earn and pay. I have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Workers should keep more of their own wages and have a right to the fruits of their labor. Capital should be taxed once, at the point at which it is earned.  Only by creating a simpler and more predicable tax structure can we expect Americans to invest freely again and our economy to thrive. I believe we need to give strong consideration to a Fair or Flat tax in this country.

Job Creation

Reduction in unemployment is a priority of my candidacy and it will be a priority of my Congressional office to bring jobs to the 11th Congressional district. I will relentlessly pursue federal legislative policy that is consistent with free market capitalism that promotes business growth and investment in CD-11. I will assign an individual with responsibility to recruit and promote business development in-district. Fundamental tax reform that allows capital to flow freely to the most efficient and demanded sources is the best way to create jobs and restore American financial stability. Excessive regulation of our businesses must be examined and curtailed, and we must inject common sense into the equation.
 

Energy Policy

A sound energy policy is vital to both our national security and our economy.  We should pursue strategies to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and take an “all of the above approach” to energy development. I oppose Cap-and-Trade, a bill which will raise the cost of energy and further cripple our economy and job growth, and is based on inconclusive science, at best. 

All of us seek a greener, cleaner planet. But artificial caps will have a miniscule impact on carbon emissions, (and will be dwarfed by polluting giants China and India), while primarily serving to drive up the cost of energy. Higher energy costs (we are already paying as much as $.44 a kilowatt hour!) will further weaken the economy, eliminate jobs, and drive up the price of everything. All at a great cost that produces no tangible positive impact to our environment.

I believe a better solution is to get serious about alternative energy technology by opening up horizontal and off shore oil drilling leases, and then use a portion of the profits from those leases to invest in alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass and geothermal solutions. Technology has improved—we have the technology to drill safely. I propose we tie investment in alternative energy technology research to new and renewed oil drilling leases. We reduce reliance on foreign oil as we pave the way to a new energy future.

Climate Change/National Security

Most would agree at this point that our climate is changing—the origin, manmade or normal cyclical variation of the earth—is subject to debate. I would contend that the science is not definitive and we just don’t know one way or the other, and hence the costly and ineffective Cap and Trade legislation, which will not solve the problem and have a disproportionately negative effect on our economy, is not the answer. I propose a focus on increased horizontal and offshore drilling (we can do this safely—witness the drilling safety record in the Gulf, even in light of Hurricane Katrina), with a dedicated portion of the profits to be invested in alternative fuel technology research and development. This simultaneously begins the process of reducing our reliance on foreign oil by refocusing on domestic production, while ensuring an even longer term focus on non oil based energy solutions. A reduced reliance on foreign oil is critical to our national security and economic stability, given our energy based economy. Environmentally-sound domestic energy exploration will divert resources from regimes funding terrorism while lowering the cost of producing American goods.   In order to ensure our national security and prosperity in the event of disruption of trade in the wake of global events (either due to political or weather events) we must reduce our reliance on foreign oil.
 

Economic Stimulus

The stimulus was a bad idea from the beginning, and there has been no positive effect. I favor rescinding the spending authority of the stimulus.  

Free Trade

In order to remain the world’s lone super power, we must give our growers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs every opportunity to gain access to the global market place.   We must also protect them from the illegal and unethical practices of some burgeoning countries, and be vigilant in protecting consumers from unsafe products.
 

The War in Afghanistan

I support the deployment of additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan—we must win this war, and fight our adversaries on their soil, and not here in the United States. It’s a mistake to signal the Taliban and al-Qaeda that they can wait us out by defining an exit strategy before these troops and resources arrive to help achieve success.

The War in Iraq

There was near unanimity of Congress and the nation on this issue, and we are better off for having removed Saddam Hussein. Whether it is the War in Iraq or other military efforts in which our country is engaged, I believe the politicians in Washington need to listen to leaders on the battlefield.
 

2nd Amendment

I support the 2nd amendment and oppose any attempts to weaken it.  My father is a long time member of the NRA, and I was raised around firearms.

Health Care

I would vote against the healthcare reform bills currently pending in Congress. This is despite the fact that they contain a very important provision for which I was a leading advocate, ending insurance marketplace discrimination against people with autism.

I believe health insurance should be portable, individuals should be able to control what’s in their benefit package, and insurers should not be allowed to discriminate based on pre-existing condition. The job of government is to establish a set of fair insurance marketplace rules, and then serve as an honest referee.

 

Sanctity of Life

I am pro-life. My experience with my developmentally disabled son has taught me the value of all life, as I’ve witnessed firsthand the effect his life has had on others. His life has taught many people compassion, an appreciation for self reliance, patience, and hope.
 

Definition of Marriage / Family Issues

I agree with the majority of Californians and even with the President on this issue: marriage should be defined as between one man and one woman.
 

Immigration

We are a nation of laws. No one should work in the US that’s not here legally. Business owners need to obey the laws of this country and offer a fair wage to legal workers, and stop the exploitation of illegal aliens for their own financial gain. We should stop the flow of illegal aliens by controlling our borders, and disincentivise illegal aliens from staying by removing employment opportunity and other services, and assist them in returning home. I support and encourage all those seeking a better life in the United States to follow the legal immigration process.