Restore America’s Trust in the Congress That Serves Them

The United States Congress is failing the American people.  Congressional leadership has not focused on the people’s work and has failed to solve the most critical issues facing America.  For years, Republicans and Democrats have lacked the moral courage to take on these tough domestic issues and have simply kicked them down the road to the next Congress.  Social Security, energy independence, immigration reform, health care and tax reform are some of the challenges Congress must address.  The acrimony and political posturing must stop because it does not serve the interests of America; it serves only the interests of politicians.  The people of Georgia’s 8^th Congressional District deserve principled leadership that is ready, willing and able to defend their interests in Washington.

Winning the Global War Against Islamic Fascism

Our country is under attack by Islamic jihadists whose sole goal is to destroy our freedoms and way of life.  The fight in Iraq is just one battle in the war against these Islamic fundamentalists’ intent on spreading evil throughout the world.  While there is no doubt errors have been made in Iraq, this battle remains key to halting the spread of hatred and the destruction of innocent life.  Our troops deserve the full support of Congress and the American people, and any effort to undermine them or their senior leadership is unacceptable.  We are making progress and now is not the time to abandon our soldiers or their mission.  It is imperative for the security of our nation and the future of our children and grandchildren that we do not allow Iraq to become a festering breeding ground of Islamic fascism. 

Reduce Wasteful Government Spending

Over the years, you and I have watched Congress show remarkable contempt for their fiscal responsibility by ignoring reasonable budget constraint.  Congress has disregarded sound fiscal responsibility by inserting billions of dollars worth of pork barrel spending without regard for the hard earned tax dollars working Americans send to Washington.  Members from both parties are to blame.  Democrats campaigned on reforming this practice, yet, when they regained control last election, they failed to implement true reform and have used smoke screens to hide the practice of inserting billions for special projects and special interests. This practice must stop because it threatens our economy and our national security.  It’s time Congress allocates tax dollars just like every working family, prioritize our needs and cut back on those things we cannot afford.

Immigration Reform to Assure a Secure America

Securing America’s borders must be Congress’ highest priority.  If they fail to do so, all other measures will have little effect.   Congress has failed in its obligation to deliver real immigration reform that protects our borders, ensures the safety of our citizens, and accommodates the needs of our farmers and other industries that depend on immigrant labor.  Congress must act, and must act now.  To assure the integrity of the immigration process, I will oppose any legislation offering amnesty or any pathway to citizenship for anyone who has disregarded our laws, and I will oppose any legislation creating government benefits for illegal immigrants.

Caring for Our Veterans

America’s combat veterans have bought and paid for the freedoms we enjoy.  They deserve our gratitude and our full support to provide for their health care needs and to be fairly compensated for service related disabilities.   As a combat veteran with over 33 years on active duty, I will fight to protect the rights earned by every veteran and assure the highest quality medical care available.  I will protect the interests of our Veterans in the same manner they have protected our nation.

Protecting America’s Farmers

Georgia’s farmers are the most productive in the world.  Our national security depends on them, so they must be able to depend on Congress to assure programs are available to see them through tough growing seasons impacted by drought, freezing temperatures and other natural elements that destroy our crops.  Our farmers should have the assurance that  their family farms will be passed onto their children without the burden of an unfair inheritance tax.  I will support a safety net for our farmers when times are tough and make every effort to permanently eliminate the death tax once and for all.

Make Tax Cuts Permanent to Sustain a Strong Economy

The American economy recovered and has remained strong because the Bush tax cuts kept hard earned dollars in taxpayer’s wallets and out of the hands of the Washington politicians.  Unfortunately, these tax cuts will be eliminated if the current majority in Congress prevails.  The new liberal leadership is determined to pass the largest tax increase in the history of the United States. History has proven time and time again that high taxes strangle the economy, drive down revenue and ultimately lead to higher unemployment.  The massive tax increases proposed by the liberal majority will have a devastating effect on the economy if enacted.  I will vigorously oppose any effort to increase the tax burden on American families and business.

Rebuilding Our Nation’s Military

As a member of Congress, my 33 years of active duty military service will exceed the experience of any other member.  I fully understand the devastating effects the Clinton military cuts of the 1990’s have had on our war fighting capability.  Our forces are being stretched beyond limits and our war fighting capability is compromised by aging equipment that is no longer equal to many new generation systems being deployed by potential adversaries. Rebuilding our military will take national commitment and congressional leaders who understand the complex system of weapons acquisition and procurement.  Having been assured I will serve on the House Armed Services Committee, I will bring experience to the Committee that is unequaled.  I will fight to ensure American fighting men and women never go into combat without far better equipment and training than the enemy.  

Access to Quality and Affordable Health Care

America’s health care system is the finest in the world.  However, with Americans living longer, the requirement for health care is growing and the cost for care continues to rise.  The cost of health insurance has risen to the point that many families are unable to afford adequate insurance coverage.  The liberal leadership in Congress’ answer to this problem is a government-controlled universal health care system funded by the taxpayers.  Socialized medicine is a formula that will destroy the availability and accessibility of quality health care in America.  The debate should not be simply how to pay for health care, the more important question is how to reduce the cost and the demand.  We must find ways to reduce the cost by creating a market-based system that will drive down costs, increase accessibility, improve quality, and put each patient in control of their own care.  Self-employed citizens should have the same tax breaks for health insurance that are offered to businesses and corporations. Health payment plans should be available to every American and the health benefits should be portable.  I will support health care reform that is based on a free and competitive market and guarantees individual freedom to choose and vest responsibly.  The quality of America's health care is the envy of the world, but the surest way to destroy this is to create a central government bureaucracy to control and ration medical care.