The Issues
The recent economic crisis must be a wake-up call for the US Government to end its incessant spending and regulatory vice-grip over the economy. Only free markets and the entrepreneurial spirit can save America, not the heavy hand of government. Rebuilding our economy is the moral challenge of our time, and good paying jobs lay the foundation for American greatness.
Restoring our economy begins with getting Washington out of the way and inviting businesses back to American soil. For too long, politicians in Washington implemented big-government policies that pushed businesses overseas. It’s time we bring them back with open arms. We must stop punishing success and work to reduce personal income taxes, investment taxes and business-ownership taxes. The tax and spend mentality that controls Washington will bring about the collapse of the US economy and we need to stop this Administration in the upcoming elections.
The $787 billion stimulus has failed, and unemployment in Southern Arizona has increased. The people of the United States are realizing that government cannot create jobs, as government has no resources of its own. Only the private sector can create jobs and better our standard of living through production and innovation.
No company or industry is too big to fail, and the government should have never enacted TARP or any other bailoutschemes. In its quest to save companies that it deems too big to fail, it has become clear that Washington feels that some businesses are too small to care about.
The big government schemes of taxing and spending thrown upon us by out of touch liberals in Washington has failed. It is time for real business solutions to get the economy moving again and create stable, high paying jobs in both Southern Arizona and throughout the nation.
National Debt and Government Spending
The current administration has taken this country to the brink of financial ruin with their reckless deficits and spending programs. These policies amount to a generational theft from our children and grandchildren. We must return to a path of fiscal sanity. Washington must do what the American people are doing: cutting spending, paying down debt and living within their means.
I support protecting Social Security. We need a long-term solution that ensures funds paid into the system will be there when people retire. We will fully honor benefits for current retirees. Those who have been paying into the system should also receive their full benefits.
Younger workers should have the choice of allocating a portion of their contribution into a personal retirement account in their name. Individuals can choose from a range of appropriate retirement options: such as a blend of guaranteed savings accounts, investment grade bonds, and blue chip equities. Americans should have the same options that Congress has through the Federal Thrift Savings Plan. We must not allow the bankruptcy of Social Security through lack of action.
I oppose Obama-care and the rationing of health care. We must reform tort laws to lower health care costs for all Americans. I support a "health care court" in lieu of the current lottery system that encourages egregious lawsuits in order to stop defensive medicine and rising malpractice costs.
The FDA needs to be restructured in order to lower the cost of life-saving pharmaceutical drugs. I support an increase in the amount allowed into tax-free health savings accounts.
We should enable insurance companies to sell health insurance across state lines, as they do car and life insurance.
We should allow small businesses to band together in order to increase their purchasing power and reduce their costs.
We need to crack down on Medicare and Medicaid fraud, saving us hundreds of millions a year.
Finally, we should allow individuals to be able to pay for insurance premiums through their own private, health savings accounts, with the same type of tax incentives that corporations have.
We must secure the border now! District 8 contains three border counties. The trafficking and violence in these areas are having a very negative impact on the district. We must address this issue in order to reduce the threat to our domestic security and to protect our sovereignty.
I am a strong advocate for completing the double-layer border fence along the US-Mexico border. I do not support public benefits for those who are here illegally. I strongly support employer sanctions and Arizona’s new law, SB 1070.
I will fight to dramatically increase the number of Border Patrol agents. Until they can be hired, I support deploying 10,000 troops in an active enforcement mode among the border. The troops would be drawn down as the fence is completed and more Border Patrol agents finish training.
It is premature to discuss any kind of guest worker program until the border is fully secured but I can clearly state that I will never support amnesty for those who have illegally entered the United States.
As a United States Marine Corps combat veteran, Jesse Kelly has a unique understanding of the experience that undergoes our nation’s heroes. We must continue to support expanded and modernized medical, educational and occupational services for our veterans. Cost of living adjustments and improved facility funding, along with updated diagnostic medicine and occupational services are fundamental necessities for the more than 95,000 veterans residing in Arizona’s Eighth District.
With the Congress currently containing the fewest number of veterans serving in US history, it is of utmost importance that we send new leaders to Washington who have worn the uniform and fought to defend our freedoms from tyranny. Those who are currently veterans have the best understanding of the needs of others who have served.
The Second Amendment of the Constitution is not just about hunting. It is about the right of a free people to defend themselves which is why I am a strong supporter of the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.
We need an "all of the above" strategy with regard to energy, including but not limited to: oil, natural gas, clean coal, wind, solar, and nuclear power. While I support the development of alternative and renewable energy I believe the free market should dictate how and when these sources are brought to market, not the heavy hand of the government. Preserving our current supply of energy will allow for affordable energy in the interim as new technologies begin to emerge.
America has vast reserves of energy supplies that are being withheld from use because of political agendas. Unleashing these resources would lower energy costs, lower dependency on foreign sources and increase domestic employment. I support developing our domestic resources in order to increase our economic and political security.
The purpose of an education system should be to teach our children the knowledge and skills they will need to live as free and productive citizens. We should start focusing on how to best accomplish this and worrying less about whether the building is publicly or privately owned. I support school choice efforts and home schooling in addition to a well funded and effective public school system.
We live in a time when our enemies test nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles capable of reaching American interests. Terrorists continue to plot attacks against America and her interests. We must fully fund our nation's military and ensure the men and women in uniform have the tools, training, and care they need and deserve.
Our government has a constitutional obligation to protect its citizens. Border security needs to be a top National Defense priority. I am committed to fully funding vital military systems such as missile defense and upgrading our fighter and bomber fleets.
