Pro-Trade

            -In favor of opening borders to free trade

            -Open borders through NAFTA and Fast Track Trade authority

            -Grant favorite nation status to other countries with open trade borders

            -Reduce tariffs on many important good I.E. Steel

 

            The Presidential candidate sees the benefit in an open economy.  He recognizes that by lowering or abolishing trade borders entirely it allows the American consumer access to cheaper goods.  This in turn will increase America’s purchasing power and increase the overall standard of living in all American households.  The candidate also realizes that opening the borders and lowering tariffs on goods leaves some American goods vulnerable to cheaper goods.  This could lead to a loss of jobs in these certain sectors.  However, the economy on a whole will gain more from these cheaper goods than it will lose in the vulnerable sectors.  The government will also provide subsidies for these sectors to either modernize or diversify so as to minimize the losses in these sectors.

 

War in Iraq

            -Agrees with the decision to go to war in Iraq

            -Sees Iraq as an important step to bringing Democracy to the Middle East

            -However, realizes that America needs to rebuild image

            -Bring in a more multi-national coalition in Iraq

            -Take care of insurgents in Fallujah

            -Setup and run a Democratic election in Iraq

            -Then begin pullout and leave behind a small police force to assist Iraq

 

            The Presidential candidate supported George Bush’s decision to free Iraq of Saddam’s regime.  However, he recognizes that this is a task that needs to be undertaken by many nations.  The candidate sees a need to bring other nations into the picture of rebuilding Iraq.  America needs to restore its image and relations with some of its allies.  The mission in Iraq will not be complete until a Democratic government is installed in Iraq by the U.S. or by a more multi-national peace keeping force.  After this has been achieved there will be a reduction in American forces in Iraq.  A small police force will be left behind in order to help the fledgling Democratic nation of Iraq.  Simply put, the candidate sees Iraq’s future as very bright.  The hardest part of war and ousting Saddam is over.  Once a Democratic government is setup Iraq will be free to do as it pleases.

 

Terror

            -The fight on terror is 3 pronged: environment, energy, security

            -By developing domestic energy supplies America will become more independent

            -This will keep America out of Middle East and Arab affairs

            -This makes us less vulnerable and in turn more secure

            -This does not mean that we will stop the hunt for terrorists worldwide

            -America will still be actively engaged in the destruction of terrorist networks

            -This fight will be aided by better communications between departments

            The events of 9/11 have forever changed America and its stance on many policies.  Terror is one policy that this candidate will not falter on.  The candidate sees a need to make America more energy independent, primarily petroleum.  This is part of the reason that he supports the drilling for oil in the Alaskan Preserve.  This independence will keep America out of Middle Eastern and Arab affairs.  America’s new energy independence will make us less vulnerable to foreign and terrorist influences.  In turn, this will make America more secure.

            In addition to this energy independence America plans on fighting terrorism head on.  Terrorist groups and the countries that harbor them will be under the intense scrutiny of America’s anti-terrorists organizations.  From the intelligence garnered by these groups the appropriate actions against these countries and terrorist groups will be taken.  This could range from pre-emptive strikes to sanctions against the country.  Terrorist groups will always be taken head on in an effort to avoid another 9/11.  Communication between the Homeland Security, FBI, and CIA is vital for this to happen, so communication barriers between these groups need to be torn down.

 

Environment

            -Energy independence

            -Need to seek alternative energy resources

-Recognizes the need to use resources, but also can not exploit them

            -Believes in a fair use policy of resources and environment

            -Invest in renewable resources

            -Believes in the need to preserve our land

           

            The candidate having made his early living as a land developer in Northern California recognizes the balance between land use and exploitation.  He sees the Alaskan Preserve as a means to securing America and alleviating gas prices for the everyday American.  However, the candidate realizes that there is a need to explore energy sources outside of oil.  The candidate feels strongly about turning to more renewable and cleaner energy sources like hydrogen.  The candidate feels that cleaning up America’s air and water is important to this generation and those to come.  Cleaning up America can be done by simply switching to more renewable and environmentally safe resources.  The candidate also sees America’s landscape as something that should be enjoyed by all.  So there should be an increase in National Park funding to aid in access and preservation of these great lands.

 

Education

            -Better funding for the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

            -Shift responsibility away from Federal Govt to State

            -Provide funding for teacher’s further education

            -Quality teachers in small classrooms

 

            The candidate obviously recognizes that America has a bright future.  This future depends upon the youth of America today though.  Being a father of 4 children the candidate stresses the need of improving America’s educational system.  This will start by providing better funding for the NCLB.  The program has many great ideas and programs, however many of them remain grossly under funded.  Once the NCLB is up and running the Federal government’s role will be greatly diminished.  States will run their own NCLB programs within their state. This shift of power to the state governments is a function of creating a more state specific and personalized program. Each state will be required to provide quality teachers in a relatively small classroom size. 

 

Gun Control

            -Anti-Assault Weapon Ban was ineffective

            -However, believes Brady Bill is acceptable

            -Need to get guns out of hands of criminal

            -Reduce underground gun market

 

            America is a country that is based upon individual rights.  Stripping American’s of their rights, especially one in the Bill of Rights, is typically unacceptable.  The candidate believes that American’s have the right to own a gun.  This is why he is against the proposed assault weapon ban.  The candidate recognizes that there are weapons that the general public does not need access to.  The previous assault weapon ban seemingly whimsically picked which weapons were banned and which were not.  This lead to in some cases oversight in dangerous assault weapons not being banned.  The candidate recognizes the need for an assault weapons ban, but there is also a need to identify the proper weapons to ban.  The candidate also realizes that criminals should not have access to guns.  This means that he is in favor of background checks and the Brady Bill.  However, this legislation is ineffective if the underground gun market is not eliminated.

 

Social Security

            -Privatization of SS

            -Encourage earlier savings and investments

            -Take money out of gov’t hands

            -SS is not meant to be lived off, merely a supplement

            -Tax free accounts

 

            The candidate believes that in order for SS benefits to survive in America they need to be privatized.  The American government is not necessarily the best way for people to support themselves after retirement.  Simply put, the candidate feels that a person should be able to handle their money than the American government would.  The candidate highly encourages and stresses the need for earlier investment and saving by citizens.  The government would provide tax free accounts for savings and investments for citizens to aid in this matter.  This is also a means of limiting the national governments role in American’s lives.

 

Affirmative Action

            -Antiquated system

            -Either needs to be reformed or could cause reverse discrimination

            -Want the most qualified person for the job

            -Eliminate quota system

            The candidate does not feel that affirmative action is not necessarily a bad thing.  However, he feels that the affirmative action system is quite antiquated.  The system needs to either be reformed or abolished.  If let go affirmative action could lead to reverse discrimination in the job market.  The candidate also feels that affirmative action does not always provide the best person for the job due to the quota system.  Americans want the best qualified person for the job and affirmative action does no allow this to happen in some cases.

 

Gay Marriage

            -Anti-gay marriage

            -Sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman

            -No need for a Federal Amendment at this time

 

            The candidate feels that gay marriage is not acceptable at this time in the country.  However, he feels that civil unions and the rights that go along with this are acceptable.  The candidate is in favor of making it easier for gays to gain insurance benefits and power of attorney.  However, he does not feel that gays should be allowed to marry based upon the sanctity and definition of marriage between a man and a woman.  He believes this should be a right strictly reserved to a man and a woman.  At this point and time the candidate feels no need for a Federal Amendment banning gay marriage partly because so many states have already voted gay marriage down.

 

Abortion

            -Pro-Choice

            -For Partial Birth abortion ban

            -Does not believe that this issue should be determined by a bunch of men in D.C.

 

            The candidate feels that life is a precious thing and the decision whether or not to end a child’s chance at life is an impossible decision.  However, he feels that this decision is best made by the woman not by a bunch of suit in Washington.  However, the candidate feels that a ban on partial birth abortion is necessary.  The candidate also feels that abortions in the case of rape, incest, and possible harm to the mother are acceptable.

 

Homeland Security

            -Fund first responders

            -Tighten borders

            -Better communication between departments

 

            The candidate takes homeland security very seriously.  He feels that there is an inadequate amount of funding going towards the first responders. I.E. Police, Ambulance, and Fire Fighters He would propose an increase in funding to these groups to aid in better response and training.  The candidate would also like to tighten up the borders and its entry points.  The candidate recognizes the need for more security in the ports of America.  All of this can be made possible by increased funding and better communication between security departments.  All of this coupled with the candidates planned fight against terror will allow Americans to sleep safely at night.        

 

Health Care

            -Wants to put health care back in hands of citizens

            -Does not believe that over-arching federal health care is efficient

            -Wants to help provide affordable health care to those who need it most

            -Wants to help lower prescription drug costs

 

            The candidate feels very strongly about providing adequate healthcare for those who need it the most.  People who need it the most include: elderly, children, low-income citizens, and self-employed.  These people should have the opportunity to receive proper and necessary preventative and emergency health care.  However, the president does not feel that an over arching federal healthcare program is the way to go about providing proper care.  Federal programs on this large of a scale typically create inefficient use of tax dollar money.  The candidate feels that providing subsidies for citizens to purchase their own private insurance.  The candidate is also exploring options of ways to bring down prescription drug costs.  He is investigating the use of generic drugs or even purchasing drugs from foreign countries.