Issues

Energy Independence

We must reduce our dependence on foreign oil as a matter of national security. Over the last 50 years, we have supported governments solely because they have protected our oil interests. As a result, the money we have spent on imported oil goes largely to fund enemy activities by hostile states and the groups they sponsor. We need to take serious steps toward energy independence to end the financing of terrorist activities around the world. The sooner we no longer rely on the Middle East for energy, the sooner we can put forward a foreign policy that honestly deals with the region. To do this, we must exploit all of our own natural resources, using all available technologies to protect our environment and develop a self-sustaining energy policy.

American ingenuity is the greatest asset we possess. America has always risen to the challenges that we have had to face. We need to pursue all opportunities available to us with our natural resources. Those include oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear, biofuels, wind, water and solar. We live in a biofuel-rich area. The sugar fields of South Florida can provide us with an environmentally safe and sustainable fuel resource. The Brazilians have been producing sugar ethanol for years and we need to do the same. We need to work with the Brazilians to learn the proven methods of producing sugar ethanol, and reduce or eliminate the import tax on Brazilian ethanol. We need leaders in Washington who realize the treasure that we possess in South Florida.

The National Debt

The national debt is growing at about $1.4 billion a day – or about $1 million a minute. Currently we have a $9.13 trillion national debt. That means that every man, woman, child and infant is carrying $30,000 in debt. The interest on our national debt was $430 billion last year. We have to stop passing the financial burdens of today on our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Foreign governments like China and OPEC countries hold about 44%, or $2.23 trillion, of publicly held U.S. debt. This not only jeopardizes our economy but puts our national security at risk.

Recently the Democrats in Congress with the support of Ron Klein raised the debt limit by almost a trillion dollars. This has to stop now. The slow bleed of our taxpayers hampers economic development and requires our citizens to spend an unreasonable portion of their life, liberty and happiness working to pay taxes.

One of my first actions as your Congressman will be to put a hold on ALL earmark spending. There is absolutely no reason to fund Woodstock museums or Bridges to Nowhere. In addition, I will propose budget cuts across the board of 5-10%. We have to reign in the out-of-control spending of Washington bureaucrats.

Illegal Immigration

The American Dream is something that our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents strived for and it is the reason people risk everything for just the chance to better their lives in the United States. America has a long history of welcoming immigrants. Bring us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free; but do it legally. Anyone who does not come in through the front door of our legal system does not deserve to live or work here. There is a right way and a wrong way to do things and we as a nation need to find a balance between being the land of opportunity and protecting our citizens from foreign threats.

That is why I oppose amnesty. As your congressman, I will fight those who are willing for any reason to jeopardize our sovereignty and security. No amnesty of any kind should be considered; it simply rewards illegal behavior and encourages others to break the law.

The practice of “anchor babies” to gain back-door legal status has to end immediately. Under no circumstances should illegal immigrants be given driver licenses or any other form of legally accepted identification that implies or confers legal status.

To seal the borders we need to enforce existing laws and suspend federal funding to sanctuary cities and states. In addition, we need to use technology. In some areas a wall is the only way to stop the flow of illegal immigrants. In other areas, technology is the answer.

In my time spent in Afghanistan I saw first-hand how an unprotected border can destabilize an entire country. All you hear coming out of Washington is foolish rhetoric about writing new laws and creating new government programs that sound good on paper but do nothing to solve the problem. Our border patrol officers put their lives on the line every day protecting our borders and engaging in high-powered gun battles. The duties they perform go beyond those of an immigration official. They are defending our borders and it is time we equip them with the tools they need to secure our border. As your congressman, I will push to move the Border Patrol out of the INS and into the Department of Defense. This is not a social issue; this is a national security issue.

Israel

The United States has no greater friend than it does in Israel. Since the creation of the State of Israel, the bond between not only our governments but the connection between our people has been unwavering and unbreakable. The Israeli people live in a world where they are surrounded by those who actively seek to destroy them. Car bombings, terrorist attacks, and troops in the street are a way of life for them. Iranian President Ahmadinejad, among others, wants to wipe Israel off the face of the map.

The United States has stood with Israel from the beginning, and as the threats against them continue to grow, it is time for other nations to step up as well. Once I am elected to Congress I will push for Israel to be admitted into NATO. By its charter, if one member-state is attacked, all member-states are attacked. To make Israel a member of this collective security organization would send a clear message to Islamic terrorist groups:  the world will no longer stand idly by as they continue to threaten the existence of an entire nation.

Education

As a former public school teacher, I can tell you first-hand of the problems we face in our classrooms. The goal of providing a well-rounded education has been replaced with an emphasis on higher test scores. Having quantifiable methods of evaluating our children’s performance in school is essential but standardized testing is only preparing our children for multiple choice tests. We have to provide our children with the highest level of education possible in order to prepare them for the challenges they will face outside of the classroom.

It’s time we work with our school boards to become more pro-active in recruiting teachers by offering loan forgiveness in exchange for taking teaching positions in needed areas. Today’s college graduates are loaded with debt and offering loan forgiveness in exchange for teaching positions will lessen the financial burden and the new energy will inspire students to learn.

Our public education system is in a state of emergency. Classrooms are filled with old textbooks, over-worked faculty, and uninspired students. There isn’t one “silver bullet” answer to solve the problem. Throwing more money is not the answer. Some of the worst school districts in the country spend the most on their students. And unfortunately the money gets tied up more in administration, with less going to the teachers and students.

We need to develop ways to fulfill the educational needs of all children, not just those who are college bound. The business community needs to get involved in educating our children. Imagine a landscape architect teaching a geometry class and providing real world applications of the subject. Then that same architect might provide summer internships and help a child not only to develop a skill but also learn business principles and the pride of earning an income. When it comes to the future of our children, we should be open to any idea that will help us fulfill our promise to the children of no child  left behind.

Iraq

Every nation has a right to self determination and Iraq is no exception. As a shining example of democracy, we need to stand with any nation that wants a free and representative republic.

As your congressman, I will push to move our troops to the borders of Iraq and Afghanistan and allow their security forces handle the internal strife. The “surge” has allowed our military to make headway in stopping the slaughter of innocent Iraqis who only want to have freedom from oppression. While we concentrate our efforts on stopping extremist forces from entering their country, the Iraqi government would be forced to take responsibility for building their own future. Liberty is not easy, but nothing worth having is. It’s time for the Iraqi people to take ownership of their future. While we can use our might to give Iraq the greatest chance, we cannot do it for them.

The goal of bringing freedom to the people of Iraq was noble and just, but the execution of our strategies was wrong. I can tell you from my 22 years of experience serving my country that we should have sent more troops, secured the borders and created a safe environment for the Iraqis to rebuild their nation themselves. Those in Washington now want to use “responsible redeployment”, but this is a flawed policy. We did “responsible redeployment” in Vietnam and the first Gulf War. We abandoned those countries and hundreds of thousands of people died. We cannot allow our foreign policy to be laden with the same mistakes. We cannot leave a mess for our children to clean up. The battles we fight today will define the 21st century and I refuse to allow us to make the same mistake over and over again.

Washington Partisanship

Washington has become a battleground of partisanship and has disregarded the needs of everyday Americans. Congressional approval ratings are hovering around 20%. I promise you that as your congressman, I will work in a true bipartisan manner to put forth an agenda that is beneficial to all Americans and not sell out to special interests for political gain. It is not what’s best for Democrats, or what’s best for Republicans that matters; it’s what’s best for Americans. It’s time to stop the partisan bickering that has stalemated our government from doing the job that the Congress was elected to do.