June 3, 2008
Declaration of Principles
Too often, politicians say one thing back home, then go off to Washington and do the opposite. They get away with this sleight of hand because they don't make clear their principles before they are elected. This is one of the many aspects of Washington that demands a new approach – one that will help return a badly damaged public trust to our federal government. Therefore, I hereby commit to my fellow citizens of Pennsylvania's Tenth District, that in Congress I will vote in a manner consistent with the following principles, and I expect to be held accountable to these principles.
1. Ban Earmark Spending
The earmark spending system has led directly to the waste of hundreds of billions of tax dollars on notorious projects like Alaska's Bridge to Nowhere and Charlie Rangel's Monument to Himself. It has also led to a cesspool of corruption, sending several Members of Congress to prison. I will not participate in this taxpayer rip-off. I will seek to ban earmarks, and will vote to remove them from spending bills.
2. Stop the Politicians' Raid on the Social Security Trust Fund
Every day in Washington, the politicians take money from the Social Security Trust Fund and spend it on unrelated items. This outrageous practice breaks trust with seniors who have paid into the system their entire working lives, and it has placed Social Security in financial danger for future generations. I will support keeping all Social Security monies inside the Trust Fund, and oppose spending Social Security funds in any other manner.
3. End Corporate Welfare
Billions of tax dollars are misspent each year on subsidies and tax breaks for politically powerful corporations, including the oil, sugar, and drug industries. While I will support overall tax and regulatory policies that promote business, job creation, and entrepreneurship, I will oppose special breaks to individual companies, industries, and special interests.
4. Cut Taxes for All Taxpayers
The recent tax cuts are due to expire in 2010. Permitting this is the equivalent of a huge tax increase on working Americans. I will support a permanent extension of the tax cuts, including elimination of the death tax and marriage penalty. I will go further, and support additional tax rate reductions on individuals, families, businesses, and capital gains to spur savings, investment, and job growth that will boost our economy.
5. Get America Off Foreign Oil
If the threat posed to American interests by oil rich terrorist-sponsoring nations like Iran is not enough to get us serious about energy independence, then $4 per gallon gasoline should. To cut our foreign dependency, I will support additional domestic oil production in Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf, expanding refinery capacity, and enhanced use of alternative energy sources. In the short-term, to ease the burden at the pump, I will back a suspension of the federal gas tax.
6. Defeat the Terrorists
The terrorists who attack us and everything we stand for are a determined and fierce enemy. We must have the resolve to defeat them. I will support our troops in the field, and oppose the politicization of our military operations. I will support enhanced homeland security law enforcement and terrorist surveillance measures. While I favor bringing our troops home from Iraq at the earliest reasonable time, I will oppose fixed timetables to do so, as they would encourage the enemy and contribute to regional chaos.
7. Secure Our Borders
No nation is truly sovereign if it does not control its own borders. I will support vigorous security measures to stop the flow of illegal immigrants at the border. I will oppose every attempt to grant amnesty and a preferential path to citizenship for those who are here illegally. I will oppose taxpayer-paid benefits to illegals. And I will support making English our nation's official language.
8. Make Health Care More Affordable
Nowhere have Washington politicians talked more and accomplished less than in the area of health care. I will support expanding Health Savings Accounts, leveling the playing field for small businesses to purchase insurance, allowing seniors to buy prescriptions at discount prices, and placing limits on out-of-control lawsuit abuse that drives up costs. I will oppose government control over health care or socialized medicine. Such programs increase burdens on taxpayers, deny consumer choice, and lead to more bureaucracy and worse medical practices.
9. Improve Opportunities for Better Education
Education is an investment in the future of our country. I will follow three guidelines. First, I will work to make college affordable for working families. Second, I recognize that local control is better than Washington control, and will oppose increased federal regulation and mandates on local schools. Third, I will support giving maximum opportunities to parents to choose the school that is best for their children.
10. Promote Traditional Values
The coarsening of our culture and disrespect of traditional values has degraded our country and threatens our future. I will oppose taxpayer funding of abortions. I will support abstinence education and promote adoption. I will support efforts to defend traditional marriage, and oppose moves by judges to redefine marriage.