On the Issues

Taxes and Spending

We must keep taxes low on both individuals and corporations in order to grow our economy and compete in the global marketplace. I support stopping the bailouts and letting the free markets work.

The incumbent portrays herself as a fiscal conservative but she supported the stimulus and the massive debt creating budgets enacted by our current administration. I will work to stop debt creating stimulus spending and reduce the size and scope of our government. 

Energy

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.

Education

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.

Border

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 have earned endorsements from Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Hon. Duncan Hunter, Hon. Tom Tancredo and Bay Buchanan because of my consistent position on border security.

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. They should return to their country of citizenship.

Health Care

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.

Sanctity of Human Life

I support and will defend life from conception to natural end.

Second Amendment

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.

National Defense

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.