Federal Spending

The government needs to live within a budget, just like the states and its citizens. Once elected, I will work with Republicans, Democrats and Independents to create a constitutionally acceptable Balanced Budget Amendment. The only exception should be in times of war or national emergency as determined by a two-thirds majority of both houses of Congress.

Earmarks

Many in Congress defend the earmark practice as a way to designate funds specifically for projects deemed worthy by the sponsor. However, the process has been corrupted by members who abuse their position or power to repay political debts or earn favors. I believe there is a place for earmarks in our budget system. However, members of Congress should be required to disclose openly to the public and on their web page what earmarks they have sponsored, who requested the expenditure, explain in detail what the money would be used for, and who would benefit (directly and indirectly).

I also support giving the President the Line Item Veto power as defined in the 2009 McCain/Feingold bill. Once a bill has been marked by the President, both houses of Congress would get a fast track vote, up or down, on the final bill. This would give the President the power to eliminate useless spending from an otherwise good bill. It would also require members who feel strongly about one of their earmarks to publicly defend it.

Economy

Although the Obama administration did not create the current economic problems, they must try to fix them. The President has set out a plan of aggressive spending to reboot the economy. In the short term, it is a necessary evil. We cannot afford to have unemployment hit 20% or see the collapse of our largest companies. But spending at this level cannot be the new standard in Washington. As soon as the economy shows signs of long-term stability, expenses must be cut, debts must be repaid and belts must be tightened. As a country, we must commit to work off this new debt in 10 years so we do not pass it onto our children. 

Taxes

The IRS and the tax code are broken. The system is so complicated, even federal auditors can’t come to consensus on some issues.  Wealthy people can pay experts to find ways around certain taxes and cheaters are rarely caught. However, the IRS is auditing fewer wealthy people today then ever before. The number of millionaires being audited last year went down by more then 19% while the number of audits for people making less then $100,000 went up. The system is unfair. I support President Obama’s effort to rewrite the tax code from the ground up. Make it simpler, easier and fairer to everyone.  Anyone with a high school education should be able to accurately fill out their own tax form. I also believe the burden of proof should shift from the tax payer to the IRS. Currently, when the IRS accuses a taxpayer of wrongdoing, the taxpayer has to prove they did not break the law. If not, they are guilty. This runs in the face of our entire American system of justice. Innocent until proven guilty! The tax laws need to change.

Energy

Petroleum is quickly becoming a back-burner issue. Everyone recognizes the futility of basing energy policy on an unlimited supply of oil. In Washington, we need to balance the need for finding “what comes next” with the necessity to stretch out what we currently have.  Energy policy for the next 10 years should focus on conservation and creativity. Reduce what we currently use, while investing in the new technologies that may provide cleaner, cheaper, limitless supplies. We need to encourage and reward those companies offering us new sources of renewable energy and creating new jobs. Once elected, I will work with the White House, business leaders, scientists and you to create real change in energy policy.

Environment

As a Peabody Award winning journalist who fought to protect the Chesapeake Bay, I understand the importance of the natural gifts around us. Intelligent environmental policy is created when all sides of an issue are valued and the best solutions, not necessarily the easiest ones, are embraced. Global warming is a reality the Bush administration wrongly ignored. I support the Kyoto Accord and believe working with our international neighbors to reduce greenhouse gasses is the right thing to do.  Having also travelled to China many times, I understand all industrialized countries are not playing by the same set of rules. I believe through negotiation, we can bring the Chinese to comply with higher international standards for clean air and water. We need to reward and encourage companies who respect the environment and not reward those who abuse it.

Defense

Defense is the backbone of our foreign policy. As Ronald Reagan taught us, a strong military is less likely to be challenged. Technology offers our military the opportunity to be in more places with less risk. We need to embrace the weapons systems of the 21st century that will work and cut those that are not needed or have not been requested by the Military. We must mothball the World War II standards that have served the country well, but now belong in museums. The men and women who serve our armed services are the country’s greatest natural resource and we should treat them as such. In the field of battle, they must have the greatest equipment and support. There is no room to waiver on this point. We must supply and support our military when we put them in harm's way. However, in service to our county there will still be casualties and we owe them even more. The second part of our commitment to our military is a commitment to provide the services and benefits they, and their families, deserve before, during and after the battles. We must provide the best healthcare, the best benefits and the straight answers they need without red tape.

Foreign Policy

“Speak softly and carry a big stick” – President Teddy Roosevelt

With a strong defense, the best foreign policy keeps America out of conflicts. Diplomacy should always be the first option. We tell our children to talk out your problems, yet some in Washington never learned that lesson. We were constantly threatening to send our already exhausted military into new arenas without exploring all the diplomatic options available to us. We must be willing to talk to anyone, friend or foe, in order to gain a better understanding of what options we have. Make no doubt, force must always remain as an option, but as Americans, we should take pride that our force of will is usually enough to change policy around the world.

2nd Amendment

I support the 2nd amendment. Sportsmen should have the right to hunt with firearms, collectors should have the right to own antique and collectable firearms and homeowners should have the right to defend their family and property with a gun. To better control crime and violence in America, we need to do a better job of enforcing the gun laws we already have. 

Education

Cheat our children out of a good education and you guarantee our future will not be as bright as our past! The most important responsibility we have is to educate our children. They will face challenges we cannot begin to imagine, but without the ability to think critically and solve problems, our children will be set up to fail. No Child Left Behind was a noble effort, but a failed approach. To succeed in the classroom, teachers need the ability, responsibility and flexibility to teach what their students need to learn. Principals need to promote a climate of safety where learning is encouraged. Local school boards need the freedom to set standards reflecting the needs and desires of our local communities with standards and skills that allow our students to compete in the global workforce. Ultimately, all public officials can be replaced if we, the public, are not satisfied with the direction of our schools.  We need the resources and authority to make our children successful. Success should be measured against a standard of life-preparedness, not standardized test preparedness. As a member of the US House, I will push for greater school support, more freedom for curriculum flexibility, more local decision-making and new ways to measure success. 

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