Issues

ABORTION

This is an incredibly sensitive and personal issue. There is a powerful obligation for anyone taking on the task of protecting unborn lives. How we wage that battle is every bit as important as the battle itself. When those who seek to protect the unborn begin to mirror the hostility and anger often found on the other side, we truly lose two lives not just one.

• I am Pro-Life
• I oppose federal funding
• I support mandatory parental consent and spousal
  notification

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Growing up in Canyon County, I understand the pressures facing our farming community.

I am a staunch supporter of the Idaho farmer and the agricultural sector and will work tirelessly to insure that all programs and policies will maintain Idahoís competitiveness in the world market.

Maintaining a healthy balance between our agricultural interests and stewardship of our natural resources is the cornerstone of Idahoís prosperity and unique way of life.

ECONOMY

Budget

• I support a balanced budget
• Fiscal responsibility must be a constant priority. Raising taxes should remain the very last option
• The IRS code must be made more fair to the average citizen

Estate Tax

• Family owned small businesses should pass to heirs without estate taxes being imposed
• I support the permanent repeal of estate taxes

EDUCATION

No Child Left Behind is in need of substantial review.

Parental involvement is the single greatest factor in a child’s success in school.

The most effective solutions will be found when parents and local educators work together. Since the federal government is involved in education, its role should be one of helping local schools improve our children’s global
competitiveness, not dictating from Washington.

ENERGY

Our energy dependency is a military and economic security risk.

One of the most promising infant technologies developed in America that makes coal environmentally viable is an algae based scrubbing system that produced over 40% decrease in carbon dioxide and 86 percent less nitrous oxide. The byproducts of this scrubbing technology are usable bio-diesel and ethanol.

The United States currently generates 1/4 of global heat-trapping emissions with electricity generation as the leading source of U.S. carbon dioxide. American coal fired plants produce more carbon dioxide than every vehicle on U.S. roads combined.

The United States has the single largest recoverable coal reserve. Nearly 1,000 coal fired plants in the U.S. meet the requirements for conversion to a 1,000-megawatt power plant using the algae system. The possibility of dramatically
cleaner, cheaper coal burning plants has important implications for both economic and national security. In light of the rapid and expanding globalization of both markets and security issues, this type of technological development will
serve U.S. national interests.

Reducing foreign oil dependency would be as potent a tool in combating Islamic terrorists as any military option.

FOREIGN POLICY

In light of the growing economic power of organizations like European Union and the proposed changes in the nature of Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the United States must find a way to work with Mexico and Canada to leverage
our collective, comparative and competitive advantages.

I support passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), allowing the United States Trade Representative to complete World Trade Organization talks and free trade agreements currently underway.

I support banking and financial systems reforms for China

I support the policy of pressing China to meet its World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund obligations

I support adoption by China of a floating currency - The Yuan is undervalued against the dollar, creating an artificial economic advantage

HEALTH CARE

Our priorities need to be focused on preventive medicine, information transfer technology and informed patient decision-making. The growing bite that Medicaid takes out of state budgets, dramatically impacts the ability to build roads, improve infrastructure and educate our children.

I support Health Savings Accounts and eased restrictions on HSAs

I support Association Health Plans - providing improved access to quality, affordable health insurance through incentives not mandates

I support the adoption of a nationwide system of Health information transfer technology

I believe in restoring the patient doctor relationship where the doctor and the patient collaborate to determine the best treatment options without having to seek the permission of a health insurance claims clerk.

IMMIGRATION

This complicated debate has no simple resolution.

The Federal Amnesty Law enacted in 1986 was never fully implemented as intended.  Laws not enforced for 20+ years breed cynicism, abuse, and indifference.

The need for workers in many sectors of the economy, however, did not go away.  As a result, illegal immigrants and not legal documented guest workers are meeting those needs.

Children born in America of these illegal immigrants are American citizens but the use of these children as so called anchor babies is an abuse of the system.

My solution provides for a system that does not compromise our national security, the economy or the American taxpayer. What I envision is legislation that creates a simple, measurable guest worker program that allows for motivated foreign nationals to eventually earn their citizenship like others wishing to become U.S. citizens.

This system includes:

• Biometric Identification Cards using existing technology
• Mandatory deductions from guest workers wages to create a Self Insurance Pool for health insurance, eliminating the financial burden on the taxpayer
• National grace period for illegal workers to register for the ID card
• Anyone arrested after the enrollment grace period without a card wouldbe deported
• One year after the enactment of the guest worker program, any breach ofthe border would be considered a threat to national security. As such, anyone
  apprehended would be permanently banned from entering the U.S. or ever obtaining U.S. citizenship. Names would appear on the existing national law enforcement database as a known criminal.
• Federal and State penitentiaries would slowly process and deliver illegal alien inmates to their country of origin. These inmates would be biometrically
  recorded and also banned from entering the U.S. or ever obtaining U.S. citizenship.
• This plan enables the border to be secured while guest workers cross freely back and forth without compromising border security or their safety.
• This plan will have a major impact both on drug cartels that frequently use illegal immigrants as smugglers and potential terrorists

PRIVACY RIGHTS

I am a strong advocate of privacy rights. Relinquishing our individual liberty and privacy in the name of security is a path from which there is no easy return.  The voluntary surrender of fundamental rights in the name of national security compromises the very nature of what it means to be an American.

America is great because it is an open society. The objective must always be to balance the risk against the threat.

We are the land of the free and the home of the brave. America will never be safer by sacrificing this legacy to achieve a false sense of security.

SECOND AMENDMENT

I strongly support private gun ownership rights. Upholding the second amendment is fundamental to a free and independent republic.

TORT REFORM

Excessive litigation and soaring medical malpractice insurance rates contribute to out of control health care costs.

The best public policy is finding a balance between the right of the American citizen to be justly compensated and protected in instances of legitimate grievance while restricting irresponsible lawsuits. Americans deserve changes that will give them reason to trust our justice system and to have access to affordable health insurance.

WAR IN IRAQ AND VETERANS ISSUES

The number one Veterans issue, a robust and fully funded treatment and care program, will be a constant priority.

Veterans programs must never be viewed as a fiscal liability.

The liberation of Iraq, and the ongoing stabilization efforts there are both pivotal, and a moral obligation that America must finish.

I have seen first hand the results that American sacrifice has accomplished.

Shortsighted politicians from both sides of the aisle are moving away from their initial support of both our military and our national long-term security interests. The job must be finished.

The parallel that can be drawn between Iraq and Viet Nam is that of the Democratic Party trading our security and the honor of our fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, for short-term political gain.

These Democrats along with some Republicans are using the media, and outright distortion of facts to transform our hard won progress in Iraq into failure for their political gain.

As Americans, we must finish the job. I will not stop fighting until our moral and national security obligations have been satisfied. For many, words like honor, duty and sacrifice are values that are sacred. While most Americans stand behind the flag in support of defending our nation, precious few stand in front. It is time for us all to move to the front.