Issues

Energy Independence

An integral part of our economic health is the availability and affordability of energy. Unfortunately, for decades now politicians in Washington have let us down when it comes to energy independence. In 1970 we imported only 12% of the oil that we needed, today, after much talk about reducing our dependence on foreign oil, we import 66% the oil that we annually use.

So what's the solution to high gas prices? Very simply, the federal government needs to remove outdated regulations that form a barrier to domestic drilling. In Alaska, the most desolate part of the 19 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge contains up to 16 billion barrels of oil. By allowing energy companies to use oil extraction techniques that are more than twice as environmentally friendly as drilling technology of a generation ago, we could increase our daily domestic oil production by 20%. Additionally, the tax revenues generated by drilling in ANWR would put $138 billion in the United States Treasury.

ANWR isn't the only place that we have oil, off of our southern coast in the Gulf of Mexico and underneath Colorado, Utah, North Dakota, and Montana oil reserves that measure in the billions of barrels lie waiting to be tapped into. Already Cuba and China are drilling for oil 60 miles off the coast of Florida while our politicians in Washington put the environmental lobby ahead of the American people.

As the next congressman from Indiana's 2nd District, I'll fight hard for energy independence and work to make sure that we start using more domestic oil and stop financing the extravagances of those who are not friendly towards Freedom.    (To read more about my energy plan please click here.)

Economy

What America doesn’t need in these tough economic times is a tax increase.  Failing to make the Bush Tax Cuts permanent is exactly that; it would be a tax increase on every taxpaying Hoosier.  As a small business owner, I know how crucial it is to keep as much cash in the pockets of taxpayers as possible.

My family, as well as the majority of families across this District, has had to tighten the belt in terms of spending during these tough economic times.  I believe politicians, both here and in Washington, should be forced to do the same.  Our tax dollars funded $20,000,000,000 worth of pet Pork Projects for powerful members of Congress and vulnerable freshmen Representatives across the country.  I believe this money would have been better spent aiding Americans with tax relief for families and small businesses to aid in job creation and economic growth.  I propose a 2-year moratorium on all Pork Projects until we get our budget under control.

Health Care

Everyone agrees the Health Care system is broken.  We must find a way to lower costs and raise accessibility to quality Health Insurance for 2nd District families.  Though it is unclear where our current Representative stands, his party leadership’s solution is for a Washington run, big government controlled healthcare bureaucracy.  Personally I don’t want the same folks who couldn’t get bottled water to the Superdome during Katrina controlling our Health Care system.  We need to instead focus on common sense, free market solutions to make quality, affordable Health Care available to every American that wants it.

I propose allowing citizens to purchase private Health Insurance across State lines.  The current system allows Insurance companies to have a virtual monopoly on the market.  Allowing you to buy Health Insurance across State lines would instantly drive up competition and lower costs.  I also believe that we must promote and incentivize health savings accounts in order to move more Hoosiers towards private insurance.  Finally, I propose aggressively fighting frivolous lawsuits from greedy trial lawyers that cause insurance costs to skyrocket. 

National Security

Today, we face a grave threat from militant Islamic terrorists. I think the folks of this District are tired of something as fundamental as our national security being reduced to rhetoric and political pandering. My commitment to the security of this nation and the protection of all of its citizens is, and will forever be, unwavering. Now more than ever, we need to stand united and strong in the face of a threat that seeks to wipe out the very principles that we as Americans cherish.

To meet my commitment to our national security and our military, I will work to:

1 Strengthen and maintain our military to keep us safe.
2 Rely heavily on the judgment of commanders in the field rather than partisan bickering.
3 Make sure the men and women serving us in uniform have the best equipment and training available.
4 Eliminate government red tape and bureaucratic roadblocks that hamper our efforts to successfully wage the global war on terror.

I want our men and women in uniform to come home as soon as possible.  That being said, it is imperative that we end the conflict in victory and not defeat.  I support bringing the troops home the second our commanders on the ground look the Commander in Chief in the eye and say “The job is done.” 

Securing the Border

As your Representative, I will not support any legislation granting amnesty to illegal aliens. I propose doubling the border patrol and support aggressively using new and innovative ways to control the border.

As a nation, we welcome and embrace immigrants that come here to take part in the pursuit of happiness only America can offer. That being said, we are a nation of laws that must be enforced. Further, upon arrival they must integrate themselves with our values of freedom.

This is why I will:

1 Support English as the National Language

2 Enact True Border Control

3 Enable More visas for technical and highly skilled workers

4 Enforce penalties for businesses that knowingly hire illegal aliens.

Traditional Values

It is our very heritage of freedom based on unchanging moral principles that gives all people the right to make their sometimes differing views known.  Government should not mandate religion, but it surely must advocate for sound values.  As John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

As a congressman, I'll stand for the traditional values and principles that form the bedrock of our society.  I'll support a Federal Marriage Amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.  I'll support the sanctity of all life, from its very earliest stages to its very latest stages.  I will support the freedom of churches and other religious institutions. 

The Government should promote policies that make our families, our individuals, and our communities stronger.      

2nd Amendment

The 2nd Amendment is clear: government should pass no law that restricts the right of any law-abiding citizen to purchase, own and legally use firearms.  I will support the right of all law-abiding citizens to provide for the own safety and the safety of their family, and to responsibly enjoy the various firearm sports.

Education

We need to put more resources into instruction instead of construction of our public schools. In addition, we need to take a serious look at introducing competition into education, and providing parents with a real choice as to how and where their children learn. Finally, we need to allow the local schools and taxing districts decide how to spend their education dollars rather than allowing the Washington politicians do so for them. 

I support the right of parents to make educational choices for their children.  Whether parents choose public education, private education or home education, the Government should not make it more difficult for them as they pursue their chosen course.  Parents, not bureaucrats, know what is best for the children of America.