Out of Control Spending and the National Debt

Washington has made a habit of spending money that we don’t have.

Taxes, The Economy and Job Creation

The best way to get the economy going and create jobs is to put more money back in the pockets of working America. Our tax system is broken and complicated.  There are two components to getting our economy back on track:

Fair Tax.  We need a new tax code, one that is transparent and leaves more money in the pockets of the of the taxpayers.  This, the most thoroughly researched tax reform plan in recent history, will ease the tax burden on business' to keep job here in America and ultimately take the power away from politicians in Washington.

Stop rewarding irresponsibility by funding corporate welfare projects with taxpayer-funded bailouts.

Small Business

As a small business owner, I know what it’s like to sign the front of the paycheck, not just the back.

I understand the struggles that small business owners have making ends meet and the burden that federal taxes and regulations can have on business.

I understand that small business has been and should be the primary job creating engine of our economy.

When did it become the status quo that individuals were not responsible for their own health care, but rather that responsibility falls on someone else or on some institution?  There is no question that today’s health care system needs reform and the key to that reform is less bureaucracy and more choices for patients.

Health care decisions should be made by doctors and their patients.

Our health care system can be improved by:

Promoting free market solutions such as increasing available health savings accounts and allowing small businesses and other small groups to pool together to buy insurance.

Reducing government interference by eliminating restrictions such as the prohibition on competition between health insurance companies in different states.

Tort reform, to reduce the cost of malpractice insurance for doctors.

The new House and Senate bills are clearly just more of the same. Increased government intervention and higher taxes that will not improve the health care system.  Increasing the enrollment in a costly and troubled government program will only add to the rising costs of care. 

Energy independence is critical to both our national security and our economic future.

We must make use of America’s known energy sources and encourage exploration and resource development.  I support development of alternative energy sources as well as more efficient use of existing energy sources such as natural gas, nuclear, coal and oil. I believe America’s long-term energy independence will be a combination of current and emerging technologies. I oppose cap and trade legislation and believe we should encourage resource development and drilling wherever possible.

Card Check and Labor

I oppose the Employee Free Choice Act commonly referred to as “card check” and believe in maintaining the secret ballot for union elections.  Forced unionization is bad for business and hurts job creation.  

We owe veterans honor, gratitude and respect. And we owe veterans the highest quality health care and benefits.

I support providing all necessary funding to care for our veterans, especially those who are older and disabled.

National Security

I will fight to ensure that our Armed Forces receive all necessary funding so they are properly equipped and can do their job safely and effectively.

America must remain vigilant to the threat posed by terrorists and support measures to keep Americans safe, such as monitoring terrorist communications.

At the time, Reagan believed that the Coastal Barrier Resources Act would enhance both the wise natural resource conservation and fiscal responsibility.

As a City Councilman on the Isle of Palms, I have seen first hand both the devastating effect and financial impact of building too closely to a coast which is continually shifting in response to the forces of wind wave, and tidal action.

The development of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act was a proactive action to save taxpayers an estimated $1.3 billion since its passage in 1982.

I support commonsense solutions to environmental questions that address long-term concerns while not putting American businesses at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy.

Life and Family

The values that I have taught by boys are the same values that I will take to Washington. 

I value all life.  As the father of triplet boys, we had an extremely difficult pregnancy and many times came close to loosing all three boys.  I value the life of the unborn child.  This fundamental principle has guided me as a father and husband.

Immigration

Any attempt at immigration reform must start with securing the border. The unsecured U.S. border is first and foremost a national security issue and should be treated that way.

I support a fair and commonsense approach to immigration reform that gives priority to those who have followed the rules and waited their turn to become American citizens.

Reform must also include a system for employers to verify citizenship of prospective employees.

This should be a non-issue.  It is ridiculous that our Second Amendment rights are still being challenged.  I will continue to fight for individuals right to bear arms.

Give parents the freedom to choose how their children are educated and where their children go to school.

I support vouchers and other innovative educational options such as magnet and charter schools so parents can afford to move their children from failing schools.

I support merit-based pay for public school teachers to reward those who excel at teaching our children.