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 ILLEGAL
IMMIGRATION
America
is a magnet all over the world to people who want to pursue freedom and
make a better life for themselves and their families.
We are, however, a nation of laws, and our laws must be
respected.
1) As a State Senator, I
will lobby our federal delegation to support
efforts to erect a PERMANENT
PHYSICAL BARRIER along the
southern border to stop the constant influx of illegal aliens.
In the wake of September 11, 2001, we cannot be too careful when it
comes to national security. It
is my sincere hope that the federal government will soon gain control of
this serious problem.
2)
On the state level, I was vehemently opposed to the concept of
issuing driver’s licenses or driving certificates to those who entered
our country illegally and, if elected, will support recent efforts to end any such practice.
We must turn off the flashing neon sign that says, “Come to
Tennessee to get a driver’s license.”
GUN
CONTROL
The
second amendment of the United States Constitution clearly protects the
right to keep and bear arms.
I
applaud Senator Mark Norris for recently submitting legislation that
would prevent local
authorities, in the event of an emergency, from confiscating firearms
from law abiding citizens. Common
sense tells us such action
would simply leave weapons in the hands of those who wish to break
the law. I am a proud
member of the NRA.
TAXES
Tennessee
is one of the lowest taxed states in the country.
Some are embarrassed by this statistic, but I am proud of it.
I vividly recall one Saturday morning when my wife informed me
that she had just heard on the radio that the leadership of the
Tennessee General Assembly was trying to sneak through legislation that
would lead to an income tax.. We
immediately got in the car and drove to the Capitol and joined hundreds
of other anti-income tax advocates.
I was proud to support our Tennessee Legislators who took a firm
stand against the income tax.
1) A state income tax would
be bad policy for our state.
I will NOT, under any circumstances, support a tax on wages in
Tennessee.
2) Furthermore, I will support recent legislation that would amend our state
constitution to require a 2/3’s vote in both houses to increase state
spending at a rate greater than that of personal income growth of
Tennessee workers.
I
will support a pro-growth economic agenda that is friendly to small
business -- lower taxes, less regulation, and fiscal discipline within
state government will ensure that Tennessee maintains a strong economy.
SANCTITY
OF LIFE
Government
should protect the lives of all people, born and unborn.
I
am a proud contributor to TN Right to Life.
I oppose cloning and embryonic stem cell research.
TENNCARE
As
is so often the case, well-intentioned people in government created a
new entitlement program that was designed to be all things to all
people, and it quickly spiraled out of control.
1)
I support efforts to
provide a health care “safety net” for those who cannot obtain
adequate coverage for themselves.
2)
I also support the
idea of administering such a program at the state level.
I do not, however, support taxpayer funded health coverage for
20% of our state population, as was recently the case with Tenncare.
3)
I believe it is important to expand access to quality health care in our
inner cities and in rural
Tennessee
. Early detection and
preventative medicine are the most effective ways to improve quality of
life and reduce health care costs, (subsequent to medical liability
reform).
4)
We should make it convenient and affordable for low income Tennesseans
to see a medical provider on a regular basis.
I will encourage wider usage of physician assistants and family
nurse practitioners in rural and inner city clinics.
5)
Our
state should do a better job of educating people on the use of Health
Care Savings Accounts and catastrophic insurance coverage.
Small business owners and those who are self employed should be
allowed to form insurance cooperatives to reduce risk.
6)
Finally, health insurance should be portable when someone changes
employers.
GAY
MARRIAGE
Marriage
is between one man and one woman.
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Williamson
County enjoys one of the strongest economies and highest per capita
income rates in the country.
1)
As a state senator, I will work to ensure that officials at the county
and municipal level have full cooperation from the state regarding
business recruitment. I
firmly believe that the people of Williamson and Davidson counties, and
their respective local elected officials, should determine the destiny
of their communities.
2)
I will oppose unfunded mandates and fight for lower taxes and oppose
unnecessary regulation.
EDUCATION
Having
spent a brief period of time as a teacher, I know what a challenging
profession it can be. I have
enormous respect for those who dedicate themselves to helping our
children learn.
1) If elected, I will be an advocate for educators.
We need to pay good teachers more and allocate more resources to
the classroom and less for administration.
2) I support efforts to give parents of children in under
performing schools additional options, including charter schools.
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