What we believe

What We Believe

A majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the direction of our nation.  To turn our nation around, we need to start by asking ourselves: What do we believe? 

I believe we can answer this question with a few simple truths:
 
We believe it is time to stop apologizing for America.
We need to stop apologizing for the success that results from hard work and ingenuity.   There is enough mediocrity in the world. America is exceptional.  She is the standard to which the rest of the world holds itself and that is not something of which we should be ashamed nor for which our leaders should apologize.
 
We believe in the Declaration of Independence...all of it.
The Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,” it confirmed that each of us has a set of God-given rights that our fathers could not withhold from us and that our sons could not take away.  We believe – as our founding fathers did – that faith has a role in the marketplace of ideas and that to remove God from our nation would remove the very source of our rights.  
 
We believe in defending America first.
As a nation, we should be hunting down terrorists rather than giving them lawyers. There is no greater or more constitutionally-explicit responsibility of our government. Our national defense strategy should not be driven by political sensitivities, budget constraints, or by those nations, such as China, who hold leverage over us in the form of national debt.  There is nothing more important than protecting the lives of Americans.
 
We believe government should listen.
Americans do not believe that government can or should solve all our problems.  But they do expect their leaders to listen.  Americans are telling their leaders that they do not want "comprehensive" solutions as much as they want lasting solutions.  They do not expect perfection, but they do expect competence.  We need to change the way Washington works and we must do that by listening.
 
We believe Americans do not just want jobs; they want careers and opportunity.
Americans want opportunity.  We always have.  Our citizens do not want bloated government stimulus bills that “create” or “save” jobs for a limited period of time at the cost of roughly $492,000 taxpayer dollars per job.  Americans know they are not getting the deal Washington promised.  Our citizens do not want bailouts or handouts; they want lasting solutions, the ability to compete, real opportunities for careers, and the chance to show what they can do.  That is the American dream.
 
We believe we should not spend what we do not have.
Our forefathers sacrificed too much for us for us to allow America to become a nation of debtors. I am one of only 17 Members of Congress to vote against every bailout under both the Bush and Obama Administrations.   I believe if Members of Congress were spending their own money that America would not be going broke so I have introduced legislation to tie Member salaries to government spending and to cut spending by 40% over the next five years.
 
We believe in our national Motto, "In God We Trust.”
Benjamin Franklin stated to a deadlocked Constitutional Convention in 1787,"The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: 'that God governs in the affairs of men.' And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?" I believe it is God in whom we should trust.
 
We believe that citizenship in our country is a privilege, not a right.
It is not wrong to do what is right for America. Illegal immigration is saddling our schools, hospitals, local communities and justice system with a weight America cannot bear.  Most Americans believe we need to reject amnesty, enforce the laws we have, secure our borders, protect the livelihood of Americans and welcome those who desire to become Americans legally.
 
We believe government should serve the people, not the other way around.
Freedom is the extent to which one can exert control over their life.  Americans feel they are taxed so much, regulated so much, and that their lives are controlled so much by the government that it is they who are working for the government, instead of the other way around. It is time to change that and I will work with anyone who will work with me to set this new direction in Washington.
 
Not everyone agrees with these basic truths. If you do and you want to help get America going again please consider supporting my campaign with a financial contribution of $100 or $50 today.   If you could do more, I would appreciate it.  If you can only afford $25 now, I want you to know that your contribution makes a difference. Please also consider a monthly donation of $50 or $25.  Individuals that give on a monthly basis form a powerful financial base for my campaign.
 
Political contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.  Corporate contributions are prohibited. To comply with federal law we must use our best efforts to report the name, address, occupation and employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200.  Contributions from foreign nationals and minors are prohibited.  An individual may contribute $4,800 ($2,400 primary, $2,400 general).