National Issues

This campaign is not just about me or about my opponents. This campaign is about re-directing our country's leadership and resources to secure a better future.

We have squandered our capital surplus, wasted our children's heritage and demoralized our enthusiasm to 'work hard' as a nation. We need to make sacrifices - everyone! We need to re-direct the conservative backbone of our young people. I want to be there in the House of Representatives to work for legislation to turn our leadership on the path for new hope.

This campaign is not just about people, but about new ideas! Yes, new ideas with new ideals. Not deals that support waste and greed. We need to emphasize the word, ' I ' as in " I can work harder, I can sacrifice and I can restore this country to what we want it to be." I believe in the goodness of our country!

Spreading The New Conservative Message does not mean to be conservative with our enthusiasm. We must be forceful ! We need to be enthusiastic about getting the job done. We need to get it done right with this election!

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Energy Independence

Explore offshore drilling	Yes
Explore drilling in ANWR	Yes
Explore nuclear power options	Yes
Explore solar, wind and hydrogen	Yes
Explore all new energy innovations	Yes

Hydrogen Powered Truck

Central Phoenix Technical High School - Student Test Vehicle

The vehicle above uses solar panels to create electricity to convert water into hydrogen. The solar system can be taken off the vehicle and placed in a backyard. The process of filling the hydrogen tanks is as simple as filling your tires with air. The exhaust from this vehicle is pure water. Most any vehicle can be converted to run on hydrogen.

Note: Conservation is something we can all act on today. Becoming energy independent will be the result of a monumental effort at the industrial level and will take many years to accomplish. However, we can all start the energy independence process now as described in the picture above.

Energy independence is a primary goal of mine. The Untied States is an enormous consumer of energy which has caused “fueling the future” to become a major national issue of great concern. This is a very important topic that takes into account many economic variables that our country must carefully analyze in an effort to stabilize and secure our nation’s future. Energy independence can translate into more jobs by revitalizing our diminishing industrial sector if we take more aggressive action to implement innovative technologies. Converting to hydrogen, natural gas, solar, and wind is the energy foundation of the future. However, we need to explore all over our coal, petroleum and nuclear options in the process of becoming energy independent.

On May 15, 2008 differences were resolved for H.R. 2419: Food and Energy Security Act of 2007, passed through the Senate and awaits a signature from the President. Portions of this bill offer tax credits for residential and business that create electricity from wind power (Part I -- Sec. 12301), and several tax credit provisions involving production of cellulosic biofuel, ethanol, biodiesel, renewables, and alternative fuels (Parts II, III, and IV).

Although these measures are a step in the right direction, much more effort is needed if we are going to replace oil in a “big way.” Placing the responsibility on farmers to produce crops to make fuel is an interesting and a sincere effort, however, has its limitations. For example, as farms use more land to grow corn to make ethanol, reports have found that this is causing an increase in food prices. Also, reports indicate the emissions for ethanol are more harmful to humans than emissions form gasoline, and the rate of return on making ethanol from corn is only 15%.

I would propose and support legislation that would take a stronger stance on energy independence that would offer a wider range of incentives for those entities investing the necessary capital for research and develop. Businesses that agree to take advantage of the tax credits must hire legal workers and derive most, if not all, of their material and supplies from domestic sources. In other words, out-sourcing would be prohibited for those entities taking advantage of energy related incentives offered by our government.

The first step to addressing energy independence is to make an assessment of our country’s energy sources - domestic and imports. Below is a snap shot of the sources of energy that we are dependent on. Please evaluate to begin understanding the magnitude of what we must do to become more energy independent.

Petroleum

United States has approximately 6% of the world’s population but consumes about 40% of the world’s oil, mainly as fuel for internal combustion engines and electric plants. Our country only produces 6% of our domestic oil needs. Most imports come into the Gulf of Mexico and are dispensed and refined in Texas and Louisiana. If we are going to become energy independent we need to explore all our domestic oil resources.

I agree that we must start drilling offshore for oil at a reasonable and safe distance from the coastline. The government of Mexico already has a very active oil drilling operation in the Gulf of Mexico, and the U.S. should expand offshore drilling.

I agree to drilling in ANWR. It is often stated that drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) has been considered a political football ever since the days of the false oil shortages in the late 1970's. Experts suggest that drilling for oil in ANWR would only provide our country a 15 to 20 year oil supply if used to offset our dependency at a rate of 5% per year. Hypothetically, if the oil in ANWR was used at full capacity (supplying 100% of our needs), the supply would only last for approximately 400 days. Nevertheless, we must continue to explore this option.

Below is a chart that describes the United States import status of crude oil and petroleum.

Coal

I agree with expanding clean coal technologies. Coal production in the Untied States is over a trillion tons a year and accounts for 51% of domestic energy production. Electric plants are the major buyer of coal, accounting for 92% of all coal consumed. It is estimated that the U.S. has over a 400-year supply of coal and is relatively cost effective. However, burning coal causes air pollution by emitting sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere, which is a major contributor to greenhouse gases.

In an effort to offset the emissions from coal burning electrical production some innovators have suggested placing aquatic algae ponds next to the power stations. The carbon dioxide exhaust can be pumped to feed the algae, which would result in a very rich form of biodiesel.

Nuclear

I agree to exploring Nuclear energy. Uranium is the key source of fuel to operate a nuclear power plant. The first U.S. nuclear power plant went into commercial operation in 1957 at Shippingport, Pennsylvania. The major use of nuclear power is for producing electricity and accounts for 20% of U.S. electrical production. Currently, there are 104 nuclear power plants in the United States that produces over 780 billion-kilowatt hours. The downside to nuclear power plants is the possibility of radioactive leaks or a nuclear meltdown, in which could cause catastrophic damages to the environment, as in the case with the Chernobyl reactor facility in Russia. Also, disposing of the radioactive waste is a major issue.

The last nuclear power plant to be built started construction in March of 1977 in the state of Louisiana. The last plant to come online was in the state of Tennessee in 1996. France derives over 75% of its electricity from nuclear and reports indicate that 70% of the population has a favorable opinion of nuclear energy. The problem with going nuclear in the United States will be the NIMBY laws, an acronym for “not in my backyard.” If the United States is going to replace oil in a big way, we should investigate nuclear energy very closely.

Below is a chart that shows the top uranium reserves in the world and the top uranium producing countries.

Wind, Solar and Hydroelectric

Currently renewable energies such as wind, solar and hydroelectric are under extensive research as alternatives to helping to reduce our dependencies on foreign oil. In 2003, hydroelectric accounted for 7% of the total U.S. electrical production. Renewable technologies can also help industries to achieve compliance with the Clean Air Act and other environmental regulations. Some renewables can be located in metropolitan areas where air pollution does not meet regulatory requirements. One of the main advantages that wind and solar energy have over coal, oil and natural gas is that they are constantly being replenished and will not run out in the foreseeable future. To date, wind and solar account for less than 1% of our country's electrical dependency, however, can be as high as 20% by the year 2030.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen can be produced from water through the process of electrolysis. This method is not a very efficient on a large scale, but a great concept on a small scale for individuals to become energy independent. Using solar panels and/or wind generators to produce electricity to convert water to hydrogen is a perfect solution for innovators to create hydrogen for cars, trucks, and motor homes.

Bulk hydrogen is best created by an extraction process from hydrocarbon fossil fuels. Although this process is 80% efficient the down side is that it produces greenhouse gasses. Many advances are being made in the area of hydrogen as a fuel source and should be given top consideration in the quest for energy independence.

I support the proposals of the SAVE Act - Secure America with Verification and Enforcement. This bill aims to step up enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. Illegal immigration is putting a strain on our legal system and our healthcare system. Action must be taken to put an end to the continued crisis.

I am against any legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for those who came to the United States illegally. A pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants is unfair to those immigrants that took the painstaking time and effort to come to the United States legally.

A sensible approach to comprehensive immigration reform should continue to be given top priority.

There are two key components to the immigration problems: (1) the large number illegal immigrants living and working in our country, and (2) U.S. based employers hiring illegal workers.

The 111th congress needs to SHIFT THE FOCUS of attention away from provisions contained in the S.1348: Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 that grants numerous benefits to illegals. I did not support this bill that was introduced in the Untied States Senate, but never voted on.

The portions of the bill that address tighter border security and fencing are commendable. The shift of focus needs to be placed on a cooperative effort on the behalf of employers and shift away from the provisions granting special consideration to illegal immigrants.

In other words, our government must create a working relationship with U.S. employers to solve this problem.

Presently, both the employers and illegal immigrants are working in tandem to conceal their illegal activity. It is very difficult to document illegal immigrants when both the employers and employees continue to operate in the shadows.

The amount of law enforcement revenue and logistics required to track, detain, and deport illegal workers is astronomical. The U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) is the leading agency working on this problem.

On Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 federal agents raided the offices of a food processing plant in Portland, Oregon. Approximately 100 workers were placed under administrative arrest and being prepared for possible deportation.

On Tuesday, May 13, 2008 a federal immigration raid at a meatpacking plant in Des Moines, Iowa seized 314 men and 76 women, making this day the largest immigration raid ever in U.S. history.

In both cases mentioned above, and with the abundant of smaller raids being conducted nationwide, the law enforcement agencies were right to raiding, chasing, deporting illegal immigrants and imposing fines on employers who hire illegal workers.

With so many illegal immigrants working in our country, a better method of tracking and documenting these immigrants must be pursued. At the current rate of deportation, approximately 250,000 a year, it would take decades to resolve this issue.

I am in favor of placing U.S. based employers in a less adversarial position if they agreee to help with the crisis.

Generally, employers are hiring people who provide the goods and services from which we all benefit. Many of the illegal immigrants are working at jobs that will not be filled by most people living legally in our country.

Humanitarian concerns must be given consideration while at the same time show respect for the sovereignty of our nation.

Social Security

Problem: Soon there will be more money being paid out than being paid in.

Solution: Stop spending the Social Security surplus and reduce government spending.

The official name for Social Security is OASDI (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance). Today, Social Security is in dire straights and needs to be restored and protected. Here's why.

Social Security was established to provide a "safety net" to the retired and disabled. This Act was originally signed by President Roosevelt in 1935. The system started with no money and needed a funding source.

Starting in 1937 the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) was created as a tax collecting mechanism that would require employers to deduct 1% of the workers wages. The tax deduction on wages would gradually increase over the years to 3% in 1948.

Additionally, the employers were to pay a percentage of the wages paid. This employer contribution started at 1% in 1936 and graduated to 3% in 1938.

Today, the total contribution paid by workers and employers is identical, which totals 15.3 %, to be paid on the first $90.000.00 of an employee's salary. This figure is referred to as the Social Security Tax Cap.
Workers = pay 6.2% in Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare = 7.65

Employers = pay 6.2% in Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare = 7.65

The grand idea was to have the younger aged workers support those citizens that were retired or disabled. In 1950, 16 workers supported each recipient of Social Security. Today, 3.3 workers support each recipient of Social Security. As more and more "baby boomers" start receiving benefits there will be more Social Security recipients than workers contributing to Social Security.

Another problem with Social Security is how the surplus is managed. Congress uses the surplus to support the national annual budget and borrows against the Social Security Trust. In return, Congress offers Treasury bills (special bonds) to the Social Security Trust as a form of collateral and pays interest on the borrowed money. The interest is paid with US tax dollars.

In 2009 the annual Social Security surplus that Congress borrows will begin to shrink, forcing our government to look for additional sources for funding,

In 2017 Social Security will begin to pay out more in benefits than is collected.

In 2041 Social Security will run out of it special issue bonds and the trust fund is exhausted.

Our government has one of the most dynamic and complicated tax systems in the world. Businesses and individuals spend billions of hours and dollars to prepare and comply with the U.S. tax code. I will support legislation to make our US Tax Code less complicated and to reduce taxes for the middle class. Additionally, I support the proposals of the Fair Tax Act.

H.R. 25: Fair Tax Act of 2007 - To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the States.

The Fair Tax was introduced by the 106th Congress by Representative John Linder (R -GA) and only received 7 cosponsors. However, the Fair Tax Act of 2007 has gained momentum and currently has 72 cosponsors.

The Fair Tax imposes a national sales tax on the use or consumption in the United States of taxable property or services. The Fair Tax also sets the sales tax rate at 23% with adjustments to the rate in subsequent years. The Fair Tax allows exemptions from the tax for property or services purchased for business, export, or investment purposes and for state government functions

I believe the 111th Congress should further debate the proposal of the Fair Tax Act.

In the event that the Fair Tax Act is unable to gain immediate traction in Congress, I support the following tax proposals:

I support the proposal to make it harder to raise taxes by requiring a 3/5 majority vote in Congress .

I support a permanent repeal of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), that is forecasted to be paid by over 25 million middle class families. It is estimated that if the AMT is repealed that middle income families would save approximately $60 billion a year in income tax.

I support the proposal to raise personal exemptions for each dependent from $3.500 to $7,000.