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Abortion
I can't put any more simpler than "Abortion is murder."
I believe that the life of the unborn child begins at
conception. I believe the federal government must have no
position on abortion. According to our Constitution, this issue is the
responsibility of the state governments. I believe the Supreme Court
decision "Roe v Wade" must be overturned. Additionally under no
circumstances should the federal government fund or otherwise support
the practice of abortion.
I
believe that only an amendment to the U. S. Constitution can that
abortion rights a federal issue. I would support such an amendment
guaranteeing the right to life.
Campaign
/ Election Reform
Our current process for election is corrupted to the point
that only Democrats and Republicans stand a chance of being elected to
federal office. The cost of running a campaign has risen through the
roof. The only way we can return the power of the vote to the people is
to reform the method elections are financed. This would involve the
following:
Abolishing the Federal Election
Commission and repealing the Federal Election
Campaign Act, including its 1974
amendments.
Removing the limitation on the
amount of contributions from individuals, meaning natural persons, not
corporation, lobbyists, unions, trade groups, PACs or political parties.
Banning all contributions from
entities comprised of individuals. This would include
corporations, labor unions,
political action committees, political parties, and other special
interest groups.
Require the immediate and full
disclosure of all receipts and expenditures.
This past election cycle, brought three national concerns to
the forefront; the problem on a non-uniform voting system, the media
effecting the election by making early projections and the strength
of Electoral College.
I will propose and support setting a
national standard
for voting equipment, requiring all communities to use the same modern
equipment. New equipment purchases would be subsidized by the federal
government.
I will propose and support the establishment of national
uniform voting hours
for general Presidential elections with all polls closing at the same
time (12:00 pm EST, 11:00 pm CST, 10:00 pm MST, 9:00 pm PST; 8:00 pm
AST, 7:00 pm H-AST)
I will propose support modification to the Electoral College
to the
congressional district method used by Maine and Nebraska instead of the
winner take all method used by the other states. This change should be
effected by the states and as such would not require amending the
federal constitution. This change would truly make the vote of each
citizen equal and would require candidates to campaign for every vote,
not just in the major metropolitan areas.
Constitutional
Responsibilities and Rights
The Constitution of The United States is not a dead
document,
as many believe. It is the greatest document drafted in the history of
humanity. As your Congressman, I will work to restore this great
document. Our Constitution divided the responsibility of governing
between the three branches of our federal government and the states.
Additionally, our Constitution specifically protects the rights of our
nation's citizens.
Responsibilities of the President:
The oath of office for the President of the United States
reads: "I do solemnly affirm that I will faithfully execute the office
of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability,
preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United
States."
Every President of the United States has taken this oath,
and
every President elected during this century has violated this oath. The
violation of this oath occurring every time the President signs a bill
into law that contains the words "and for other purposes."
The constitution allows the congress to pass legislation
that
benefits the people. The congress through its rules allows the addition
of
unrelated items to legislation through amendment. These little
additional
items are called "pork." Pork is not in the best interest of the
American
people. It circumvents the Constitution. It is the responsibility of
the
President through the checks and balances provided by the veto to
protect
the interests of the American people. By signing into law these pork
provisions,
our past presidents have violated their oath of office.
The violation of this oath of office is grounds for
impeachment. Each President elected during the last century has
committed this impeachable offense. Our President should take serious
the
oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
Article I, Section 9, of the Constitution says: "No money
shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations
made by
Law". Appropriations can be made in only two circumstances;
either:
A money measure passed by Congress
and signed into law by the President;
A money measure enacted over a
President's veto.
A President who enjoys the support of one third plus one of
the members of the House of Congress, has the constitutional authority
to stop unwise and excessive federal spending.
Responsibilities of the Judiciary:
The
United States Constitution provides for appointment of
federal judges for a term of office during good behavior. Your
president must seek enforcement of the constitutional rule of good
behavior, and urge the Congress to enact such legislation as is
necessary and proper to enforce
that rule.
Nominees to the Supreme Court must be respectful of the
value
and importance of the Constitution and must be committed to interpret
law
according to the Constitution only.
As
a member of the House, I would little direct input into these matters,
but I will be a strong voice regarding the proper role of the judiciary.
Responsibilities of the Legislature:
The Congress of the United States has become an overpaid,
overstaffed, self serving institution. It confiscates taxpayer funds to
finance exorbitant and unconstitutionally determined salaries, pensions
and perks. Many members of Congress have become more accountable to the
special interests than to the people in their home districts. Both
Houses of Congress are all too
often unresponsive and irresponsible, arrogantly placing themselves
above
the very laws they enact, and beyond the control of the citizens they
have
sworn to represent and serve.
It is time for the American people to renew effective
supervision of their employees in public office, to restore right
standards, and to
take back the government. Congress must once again be accountable to
the
people, and obedient to the Constitution. They must repeal all laws
that
delegate legislative powers to regulatory agencies, bureaucracies,
private
organizations, the Federal Reserve Board, international agencies, the
President
and the judiciary.
The U.S. Constitution, as originally framed in Article I,
Section 3, provided for U.S. Senators to be elected by the state
legislators. This provided the states direct representation in the
legislative branch so as to deter the usurping of powers that are
constitutionally reserved to the states or to the people. The
Seventeenth Amendment (providing for direct, popular election of U.S.
Senators) took away from state governments their constitutional role of
indirect participation in the federal legislative
process.
If we are to see a return to the states of those powers,
programs and sources of revenues that the federal government has
constitutionally
taken away, then it is also vital that we repeal the Seventeenth
Amendment
and return to the state legislatures the function of electing the U.S.
Senate. In doing so, it would return the U.S. Senate to being a body
that represents the legislatures of the several states, on the federal
level and, thus, a
tremendously vital part of the designed checks and balances of power
that our Constitution originally provided for will be restored.
I will propose and support legislation in regards to term
limits. Congress needs to be more responsive
to the electorate. Incumbency leads to unresponsiveness and
complacency. Term limits of 6 years for members of the House and 12
years for members of the Senate would not be inappropriate.
I will call upon both houses of Congress to remove from
their
rules
the words "and for other purposes". The words "and for other purposes"
circumvent the constitutional process. For example, take a look at the
recently passed budget act for 2001. As your congressman I will vote
against all
legislation containing the words "and for other purposes".
Responsibilities of the several states:
The closer government is to the people, the more
responsible,
responsive, and accountable it is likely to be.
The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution makes clear that the
federal government has only those powers which are explicitly delegated
to it. All other rights and authorities are reserved to the states and
to the people.
I pledge to be faithful to this constitutional requirement
and to work methodically to restore to the states and to the people
control
over legislative, judicial, executive and regulatory functions which
are
beyond the delegated scope of the federal government.
Rights of the Citizens:
Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the First Amendment. It
is important to understand that this is not freedom from religion. The
federal government abridges the free exercise of religion by:
Regulating churches and other
religious
organizations through its tax laws. Churches are tax exempt if they
subject
themselves to IRS regulations.
Limiting religious liberty in the area of public and private
education. Forbidding non-denominational prayer in public schools and
at educational ceremonies.
Excluding the religious documents from school classrooms and
from other school property.
Refusing to permit the religious displays on public
property.
I will propose and support legislation to cease these
attacks on the
religious liberties of the people, and to stop
all attempts to interfere with the encouragement of religious and moral
principles
by state and local governments. Any form of taxation on churches and
other
religious organizations is a direct and dangerous step toward state
control
of the church; such intrusion is prohibited by the Constitution, and
must
be halted.
The right to bear arms is guaranteed by the Second Amendment
to the Constitution. It may not be infringed upon nor denied and
inherent in the right of self defense, defense of the family, and
defense against tyranny, conferred on the individual and the community
to safeguard life, liberty
and property and that of his family, as well as to help preserve the
independence of the nation.
I will ardently oppose any attempt to limit or prohibit the
ownership of
guns by law abiding citizens.
The Fourth Amendment gives the people right to be secure in
their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable
searches
and seizures, including general and unwarranted electronic
surveillance,
national computer banks, and national identification cards. Civil
governments
must be strictly limited in their powers to intrude upon the persons
and
private property of individual citizens, in particular that no place be
searched and no thing be seized, except upon proof of probable cause
that
a crime has been committed and the proper judicial warrant be
issued.
I will support the common law rule that protects the people
from
any search or seizure whatsoever, when that search or seizure violates
the people's Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination.
I will oppose legislation and executive action that deprives
the
people of their Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights under claims of
necessity to
"combat terrorism or to "protect national security".
I will oppose legislation and executive action expanding
asset
forfeiture laws that enable the confiscation of private property of
citizens who have not, by their own criminal action, forfeited their
property rights to the asset subject to forfeiture.
Criminal
Justice
The involvement of the federal government in crimes not
against the nation must end. The states must have the right to exact
punishment
and restitution from criminals.
I will support the right of states and localities to
restrict
access to drugs and to enforce such restrictions. I will propose and
support legislation
to stop
the flow of illegal drugs into the United States from foreign sources.
As
a matter of self defense, retaliatory policies, including embargoes,
sanctions
and tariffs, should be considered.
At the same time, we will take care to prevent violations of
the constitutional and civil rights of American citizens. Arbitrary
searches
and seizures must be prohibited, and the presumption of innocence must
be
preserved. Government programs should not come at the expense of
individual
freedom. When it does the decision should be made with the greatest of
care.
Death
Penalty
I personally oppose the death penalty, the taking of a
convicted criminal's life. However, It should be noted that this is an
issue that
is according to our Constitution left up to the states, who would,
presumably, be in a better position to understand the will of the
people in their constituency.
Education
Education should be free from all federal government
subsidies, including vouchers, tax incentives and loans.
The federal government has absolutely no jurisdiction
concerning the education of our nation's children. No federal agency,
department, board or other entity may exercise jurisdiction over any
aspect of children's
upbringing. Education training and discipline of children must be
properly placed in the domain of the parents.
I
will propose and support legislation to abolish the Department of
Education. Additional I will propose that all federal legislation
related to education should be
repealed, including, but not limited to Goals 2000, all Outcome Based
Education programs, "School-to-Work" programs, the "Success by Six"
programs, and other similar programs; and no federal laws subsidizing
or regulating educating of our nation's children should be enacted.
Under no circumstances should the federal government be
involved in educational curriculum, textbook selection or learning
standards, including comprehensive sex education, and psychological and
psychiatric research testing programs and personnel.
Energy
I call attention to the continuing need of the United States
for a sufficient supply of energy to sustain the nation's standard of
living
and its agricultural, business and industrial activities. However,
private
property rights must be respected, and government should not interfere
with
the development of potential energy sources, including natural gas,
hydroelectric
power, solar energy, wind generators, and nuclear energy.
I also encourage the use of coal, shale and oil sands for
the
production of power, and the conversion of coal, shale and agricultural
products
to synthetic fuels.
I will oppose any increase in federal fuel taxes and insist
that,
so long as such taxes are collected in any amount, all of their
proceeds should be used exclusively for the maintenance of interstate
highways.
Family
The importance of the family is overlooked, if not
discouraged in our nation today. We must restore the family to it's
proper honor in
order for our country to be indeed great again.
Foreign
Policy
The only constitutional purpose and basis of foreign policy
is to serve the best interests of the nation. The purpose of foreign
policy
is not to be the world's policeman. As Americans, we pledge our
allegiance
to the United States of America. We say "No!" to any one world
government.
No American autonomy shall be given up to any international
organization
or group of nations.
I will oppose entangling foreign alliances. The United
States
should withdraw from NATO and bring our armed forces home.
We should review all treaties and agreements to determine
which are beyond constitutional limits. The United States must only
enter into
agreements which would have an positive impact on the security and
safety
of this nation.
I will propose legislation that calls for the withdrawal of
United States from the
United Nations and would require the U.N. to move out of the United
States.
I will propose legislation that calls for the withdrawal of
United States from all international
monetary and financial institutions and agencies such as the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, etc.
Ever since World War II, the United States has provided
military and non-military aid to over 100 nations. Hundreds of billions
of dollars have been poured down a bottomless pit, with little evidence
of benefit to the safety and security of the American
people. Not only have
we given aid to our "friends", but even to "neutrals", by means of
which
aid we hoped to buy their "friendship". Finally, we are now committing
ourselves to send the taxpayer's dollars to those who have been our
enemies for years. This must stop!
The Congress and President have a duty to provide for the
defense of this country, but the American people have no similar duty
to provide
for the defense of any foreign nation. Further, the U.S. Government no
constitutional authority to tax the American people to provide aid of
any kind to foreign governments.
I will propose legislation that calls for the
termination of all programs of foreign aid,
whether military or non-military, to any foreign government or to any
international organization, including the United Nations, the IMF, the
World Bank and
other similar institutions.
Government
Excess and Waste
During the past 40 years, Income tax collections have
increased from $41 billion in 1961 to $821 billion in 1998. Social
Security Taxes
have gone up from $16 billion in 1961 to $577 billion in 1998.
Corporate
taxes have gone up from $21 billion in 1961 to $190 billion in 1998.
Estate
and gift taxes have gone up from $1.9 billion in 1961 to $24 billion in
1998.
During that same period, federal spending has increased from
less than $100 billion per year in 1961 to $1.6 trillion for the
current fiscal year. Federal regulations are now costing the American
people more than $739 billion per year.
Since 1981 the national debt has quintupled: from $914
billion to more than $5.4 trillion. Interest on that debt has soared
from $9.12
billion in 1961 to $356 billion in 1997. In just a few years, it may
cost
more to service the debt than Uncle Sam collects in income taxes.
The federal government has turned into a tax and spend
monster that is devouring the people it is supposed to be serving. As
the Declaration of Independence cried out, so it is today: The federal
government "has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent out hither
swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substances."
Just since 1961, at least 297
new federal commission, councils, public corporations, grants and
management
programs have been created, in addition to all
those which existed beforehand.
The only legitimate purpose of civil government is to
safeguard the God given rights of its citizens; namely, life, liberty
and property. Only those duties, functions and programs specifically
assigned to the federal government by the Constitution should be
funded.
We, all Americans, must restore to the state those powers,
programs and sources of revenues which the federal government has
usurped.
I will propose legislation that would
halt all federal expenditures which are not specifically authorized by
the Constitution of these United States.
I will propose legislation that would abolish
of the Civil Service system which
confers on government employees a "property right" in their jobs. The
President
should be able to determine who will carry out, free from subversion or
opposition from the tax paid personnel, those programs which he has
promised
the people to inaugurate and implement.
Health
Care
I will oppose the socialization of American medicine.
Government
regulation and subsidy constitutes a threat to both the quality and
availability of
patient oriented health care and treatment. Hospitals, doctors and
other
health care providers should be accountable to patients, not to
politicians.
If the supply of medical care is controlled by the federal
government, then officers of that government will determine which
demand is satisfied. The result will be the rationing of services,
higher costs, poorer results, and the power of life and death
transferred from caring physicians to unaccountable political
overseers.
The federal government has no constitutional provision to
regulate or restrict the freedom of the people to have access to
medical care, supplies or treatments. Therefore, I advocate the
elimination of the federal Food and Drug Administration, as it has been
the federal agency primarily responsible for prohibiting
beneficial products, treatments and technologies here in the
United States, that are freely available in much of the rest of the
civilized world.
I would propose a system of peer medical review for
practitioners and drug makers alike should it be possible to come
to agreement on a fair and impartial board.
I will affirm freedom of choice of practitioner and
treatment for
all citizens with any health problem.
Immigration
I affirm the integrity of the international borders of the
United States and the constitutional authority and the right of the
federal government under the law of nations to guard and to protect
those borders, including the regulation of the numbers and of the
qualifications of immigrants into the country. I also recognize the
priceless contributions that have been made by immigrants in our
nation.
Each year nearly 1,000,000 legal immigrants and hundreds of
thousands of illegal aliens enter the United States. Many of these
immigrants, including illegal aliens, have been made eligible for
various kinds of public assistance, including housing, education,
Social Security, and legal services. This unconstitutional
drain on the federal Treasury is having a severe and adverse impact on
our
economy, increasing the cost of government at federal and local levels,
adding
to the tax burden, and stressing the fabric of society.
I will propose legislation that would require that
every individual, group and/or private agency
which request the admission of an immigrant to the U.S. on whatever
basis be required to legally commit to provide housing and sustenance
for such immigrants,
and bear full responsibility for the economic independence of the
immigrants.
I will oppose the provision of welfare and other taxpayer
supported benefits to illegal aliens.
I will support the strengthening of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service, for the proper screening of immigrants, the
apprehending and deportation of illegal aliens, and the protection of
our borders.
I will oppose bilingual ballots. I insist that those who
wish to
take part in the electoral process and governance of this nation should
be required to read and comprehend basic English as a precondition of
citizenship. I
support English as the official language for all governmental business
by
the United States, and of all individual States.
Individual
rights
Human dignity is a basic right recognized in the
Constitution
by our Founding Fathers. I affirm that human beings are created equal
and
should be evaluated on their individual merits.
I will propose legislation that would eliminate
of all so-called affirmative
action programs which substitute race, or creed, or other illegitimate
criteria
for merit.
Each and every citizen shall be free to choose his friends
and associates, to offer, seek or refuse employment, and to rent or
sell property. Further, businesses should be free to protect their
employees by refusing service in any circumstance where the lives of
the employees or property
are perceived to be endangered.
Medicare
The Medicare trust should not be a rainy day fund which
politicians can pirate, or from which they can borrow to cover their
errors and pay
for their excesses.
I will propose legislation that would require
the federal government
meet its obligations and protect the Medicare funds as a trust which
can be used only to fulfill its obligations to those who have
contributed to the system.
To protect and enhance the return on payments made by
Medicare taxpayers and prevent future defaults, I call for the transfer
of all Medicare funds to accounts beyond the reach of politicians who
improperly transfer funds from Medicare to help pay the price of other
federal programs.
The Constitution grants no authority to the federal
government to require its citizens to participate in Medicare.
Individual citizens,
however, have the right to choose between private retirement and
pension
programs, either at their place of employment or independently.
I call for the removal of earning limitations on persons
aged
62 and over, so that they may earn any amount of additional income they
choose, without placing their Medicare benefits at risk.
National
defense
It is a primary obligation of the federal government to
provide for the common defense against enemies foreign and domestic,
vigilant to
deal with significant potential threats and prospective capabilities,
as
well as with perceived present intentions.
I will oppose unilateral disarmament and dismemberment of
America's defense infrastructure. That which is hastily torn down will
not be easily rebuilt.
In order to protect our territory, our armed forces, and our
citizenry, we should immediately give notice of our withdrawal from the
Nixon-Brezhnev Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which restricts full
development and deployment of a strategic defense system.
I will condemn the presidential assumption of authority to
deploy
American troops without the consent of Congress. Under no circumstances
would we
commit U.S. forces to serve under any flag but that of the United
States
of America, or for any other purpose other than the defense of the
United
States or any foreign command.
The goal of U.S. security policy is to defend the national
security interests of the United States. We should be the friend of
liberty everywhere, but the guarantor and provider of ours alone.
I will call for the maintenance of a strong,
state-of-the-art
military on land, sea, in the air, and in space.
I will urge the Executive and Legislative Branches to
continue to
provide for the modernization of our Armed Forces, in keeping with
advancing technologies and a constantly changing world situation.
I will support the maintenance of a strong and ready and
well
equipped Reserve and National Guard.
Privatization
There is no Constitutional basis for the federal government
engaging in such enterprises as Amtrak, ConRail, the TVA or the Oak
Ridge uranium
enrichment facility.
Further, in violation of Article I, Section 8, Paragraph 17
of the Constitution, the federal government has vast areas of land and
resources under federal control which have nothing to do with the
nation's defense
or seat of government. These lands should revert to the ownership of
the
States, to whom they rightfully belong.
I will propose legislation that would require the
federal government to divest itself of
operations which are not authorized by the Constitution. We call upon
the Congress
to get the federal government out of such enterprises which compete
with
private free enterprise.
I will propose legislation that would require
the federal government to divest itself of
the millions of acres of lands and natural resources in Alaska and
other Western states by restoring them to the States, to whom they
properly belong.
Social
Security
The
imposition of
the unconstitutional income tax and the requirement for the government
to provide "social security" traveled hand in hand. Without the burden
of income tax people were free to deposit into savings accounts and
build nest eggs to see them through retirements and periods of
unemployment. Without the currently burdensome income tax system,
people would be free, once again, to create retirement accounts,
structure savings programs, and plan for their later years. In the
past, society required children and the community to see after the
needs of the elderly if they were unable to see after themselves. This
should be the case again.
I
will propose and support legislation that would repeal the Social
Security Act and refund all monies paid into the scheme to each
taxpayer.
This does
not mean that those that have paid into the system for years would be
left out in the cold. The
Federal
Government should undertake a complete accounting of the current social
security system, redistribute the illegally received funds
proportionately to individuals, and close the social security system.
Americans
would be
able to plan for retirement on their own using just those funds saved
from social security taxes. The average person earning $31,000 per year
could reasonably expect to have over $1 million in retirement savings
if they deposited the same amount into certificates of deposit that
they presently pay into the social security system. Personal
responsibility is a requirement in a democratic society. It isn't
the job of government to provide for every need for every individual.
It is time for Americans to become the free-thinking, responsible
people they are. To stand up and take stock of themselves and their
lives and plan for themselves. If individuals fail to adequately
prepare themselves for periods of unemployment or retirement, it falls
then to their families, the community, and charitable organizations to
assist with their needs. The government has no money of its own. It has
only our money. It cannot be charitable with money that doesn't belong
to it.
The
Republican
Party position regarding social security is to "strengthen" the
program. Unfortunately, there are no clear positions presented as to
how they hope to accomplish this. There has been talk of investing the
funds in the stock market to increase return and boost the Fund, and
there has been some talk about privatizing the Agency. To date, we have
not found any clear examples or plans presented by the Republicans.
The
Democratic
Party's position concerning social security is the same as it was when
Franklin Roosevelt enacted the founding legislation in 1935. They see
the program continuing in perpetuity regardless of the fact that aging
Americans make up a greater portion of the country each year. They are
in favor of maintaining the "contract" no matter what it costs working
Americans. They are against all efforts to raise the retirement age,
decrease any benefits, or privatize the Social Security Administration
and Trust Funds.
To see
more on the
Republican Party position on Social Security, click HERE
To see
more on the
Democratic Party position on Social Security, click HERE
Taxation
The Constitution, in Article I, Section 8, gives Congress
the
power "to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises, to pay
the
Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the
United
States." In Article I, Section 9, the original document made clear that
"no
Capitation, or other direct Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to
the
Census of Enumeration herein before directed to be taken." It is
moreover
established that "No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported
from
any State."
I will propose and support legislation to repeal of the 16th
amendment and legislation
to
replace the Internal Revenue Service with a private agency with duty to
collect
taxes and pass those collection to the Treasury.
I will propose and support legislation that would replace
entirely the current
tax system of the U.S. government (including income taxes, Social
Security taxes, estate taxes, inheritance taxes, corporate taxes, and
fuel taxes) with a
new approach based on the original design of our Founding Fathers.
To the degree that tariffs on foreign products are
insufficient to cover the legitimate constitutional costs of the
federal government,
we will offer a "state rate tax" in which the responsibility for
covering
the cost of unmet obligations will be divided among the several states
in
accordance with their proportion of the total population of the United
States,
excluding the District of Columbia. Thus, if a state contains 10
percent
of the nation's citizens, it will be responsible for assuming payment
of
10 percent of the annual deficit.
The effect of this "state rate tax" will be to encourage
politicians to argue for less, rather than more, federal spending.
Tariffs
and Trade
Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution states that
Congress shall have the power "To regulate Commerce with foreign
Nations", and "to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by
securing" copyright
and patent protection for authors and inventors.
Congress may not abdicate nor transfer to others these
constitutional powers. I, therefore, oppose the unconstitutional
transfer of authority
over U.S. trade policy from the Congress to agencies, domestic or
foreign,
which improperly exercise policy setting functions with respect to U.S.
trade policy, and the unconstitutional transfer of authority over
copyright
and patent policy from Congress to agencies, domestic and foreign.
I favor the abolition of the Office of Special Trade
Representative, and insist on the withdrawal of the United States from
the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA), from the General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and all other agreements
wherein
bureaucracies, institutions or individuals, other than the Congress of
the
United States, improperly assume responsibility for establishing
policies
which directly affect the economic well being of every American
citizen.
I also favor more vigorous efforts to protect the copyright and patent
rights
of their owners in both domestic and foreign markets.
As indicated in Article I, Section 8: duties, imposts and
excises are legitimate revenue raising measures on which the United
States government may properly rely. As Abraham Lincoln pointed out,
the legitimate costs
of the federal government can be borne, either by taxes on American
citizens and businesses, or by tariffs on foreign companies and
products. The latter is preferable to the former.
Similarly, I oppose other international trade agreements
which have the effect of diminishing America's economic self
sufficiency and of exporting jobs, the loss of which will impoverish
American families, undermine American communities, and diminish
America's capacity for economic self
reliance.
The defense of the American nation and the preservation of
its economic integrity is essential to the defense of the liberty and
prosperity of every American citizen.
I will insist on strict federal criminal penalties for any
officer of the United States government, or spouse thereof, who
subsequently hires himself or herself out to represent any foreign
government or other entity, public or private, with respect to
influencing either public opinion or
public policy on matters affecting U.S. trade with any such governments
or other entities.
The indebtedness of the American government has dangerously
contributed to making our economy more vulnerable to foreign takeover
and manipulation. Particularly in the area of national security,
foreign interests have thus been abetted in gaining access to America's
high tech secrets under the guise
of commercial enterprise.
I reject the concept of Most Favored Nation status,
especially insofar as it has been used to curry favor with regimes
whose domestic and international policies are abhorrent to decent
people everywhere, and are in fundamental conflict with the vital
interests of the United States of
America.
Welfare
America's welfare crisis is a government induced crisis.
Government social and cultural policies have undermined the work ethic,
even as the
government's economic and regulatory policies have undermined the
ability
of our citizens to obtain work.
Charity, and provision of welfare to those in need, is not a
responsibility of the federal government. Under no circumstances should
the taxpayers of the United States be obligated, under penalty of law
through forced taxation, to assume the cost of providing welfare to
able bodied individuals. Nor should
taxpayers be indentured to subsidize welfare for persons who enter the
United
States illegally.
I will propose and support legislation that will repeal all
existing welfare laws.
Copyright, 2004, Joe Bellis
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