Earmarks- the need for better congressional stewardship

Recently I have been asked to respond to various questions posed by media organizations on my views on certain issues. This is the fourth in a series of blogs in which I will share my answers to some of those questions. Next up: "Earmarks….What do you think about them and why?"

While earmarks make up a small percentage of the federal budget, they have become symbolic in the public's mind of selfish, parochial spending. One of the main themes of my campaign is Stewardship—Renewing the American Spirit. Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. It is time for governments, nongovernmental organizations and each citizen to adopt a mindset of stewardship of resources, including money, abilities, talents, people and the environment. Our current social, economic, and environmental problems are due, in large part, to selfishness, greed and other irresponsible actions. The federal government, and in particular Congress, must lead the way by modeling stewardship over the resources and responsibilities entrusted to it by the people. Earmarks should be abolished, not because of the economic impact on total federal spending, but for Congress to signify to the American people that it understands that Congress must be a better steward of the resources entrusted to it. Allowing individual Congressmen to insert spending for pet projects (like the bridge to nowhere) does not inspire confidence in the people, especially during a time of financial crisis. Eliminating earmarks is a small sacrifice to make to help restore the trust of the American people in the Congress.

My Proven Experience as a Public Servant Best Serves You as your next Congressman

Recently I have been asked to respond to various questions posed by media organizations on my views on certain issues. This is the third in a series of blogs in which I will share my answers to some of those questions. Next up: "What experience would you bring to the office of U.S. Representative that would benefit the residents of District 7?"

I am a focused, dedicated and creative thinker, experienced in seeking out and implementing new solutions to existing problems while remaining true to conservative principles. I have a proven track record of public service- working constructively within the framework of government and with citizens, businesses and nonprofit groups- to tackle the serious issues that confront us. Also, I have demonstrated that I care about whether my performance in office and the policies pursued actually impact people in a positive way by increasing their personal opportunities, responsibilities, general wellbeing, health and safety.

Roadmap for America's Future Gains Endorsements

Recently I have been asked to respond to various questions posed by media organizations on my views on certain issues. This is the second in a series of blogs in which I will share my answers to some of those questions. Next up:"Using as a baseline the FY 2010 budget, with federal revenues of about $ 2 trillion and federal spending at $ 3.5 trillion, how would you propose that Congress achieve a balanced budget?"

We can ultimately achieve a realistic balanced budget with a surplus over a period of years by adopting a comprehensive plan involving tax reform, job creation, spending cuts/reform, and stabilizing entitlement programs. That is why I support Representative Paul Ryan's "Roadmap for America's Future."

In the last two weeks, Ryan's "roadmap" has been endorsed as the plan Republicans need to adopt and run on in the fall campaign. First, Fred Barnes endorsed the plan in the article "Think Big- Republicans should embrace Paul Ryan's Road Map," The Weekly Standard, Vol. 15, No. 41, Tuesday, July 13, 2010. Barnes starts his endorsement as follows:

"For Republicans, the Road Map authored by congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin is the most important proposal in domestic policy since Ronald Reagan embraced supply side economics in the 1980 presidential campaign. It's not only the freshest, boldest, and most comprehensive Republican thinking, it's also the most relevant. If Republicans adopt the Road Map as their basic ideological blueprint, it offers them the prospect of a landslide in the midterm election this year, followed by victory in the presidential election in 2012."

Also endorsing the roadmap is Carol Baum in the article "U.S. Crash Looms without Roadmap Directions," Bloomberg/BusinessWeek, Thursday, July 8, 2010. Ms. Baum writes of Ryan's plan:

"[T]he plan reduces deficits and debt, putting the federal budget on a sustainable path; results in stronger per-capita economic growth; puts Medicare and Social Security on a sound footing; and lowers health-care expenses while reducing the number of uninsured….And that's not Congressman Ryan talking. That's the assessment of the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office…."

The greatest challenge facing the next congressman and how I would handle it

Recently I have been asked to respond to various questions posed by media organizations on my views on certain issues. The next few blogs will share my answers to some of those questions. First up: "What do you see as the greatest challenges of the office at this time and how do you propose to meet them?"

The greatest challenge is restoring public confidence in the ability of Congress to constructively handle the issues of our time. There is strong sentiment that many congressmen are too engaged in partisan, self-serving agendas rather than listening to the concerns of the people and working with them to design solutions to the problems of the country by unleashing the strength of individual Americans and limiting the scope and size of the federal government. I would focus on reestablishing public confidence by first working with other congressmen in implementing a plan that creates an environment of stable economic growth and job creation.

As I said on May 7, 2009, one of the reasons I am running for Congress is that people who are middle class (or aspire to be middle class) see the traditional middle class foundation of a decent job and affordable housing, healthcare and higher education ( for one's self and one's family) slowing dissolving away from under them. They also see their freedoms and liberties being threatened by an ever growing and encroaching federal government. As an article well states the situation:
"...Republicans...need a reform agenda that helps ordinary Americans- better, helps them help themselves- and that can be seen as such... (M)iddle-class families are the country's backbone, not one of its interest groups....Without a thriving middle class, America will not be a strong country and will certainly not be a country interested in limited government." (from "Beyond 'No'," by Ponnuru and Lowry, National Review, June 8, 2009).

That is why I support Congressman Paul Ryan's proposal to control federal spending, empower small businesses to create jobs, encourage individual responsibility and establish a healthy economy. For more details on Ryan's plan, go to www.roadmap.republican.budget.house.gov.