NATIONAL SECURITY

The most important issue facing our nation is our national security. I will:

• Ensure that our country, our families and our Troops are safe at home and abroad
• Fight to make sure that our military has the resources and equipment it needs to be successful and to return home safely
• Provide our veterans with the benefits and support they deserve by expanding veterans’ access to the highest quality health care and easing the transition to civilian life
• Secure our borders and ports by using new inspection technology

TAXES

I signed the Americans for Tax Reform no new taxes pledge because I believe:

• Our government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow families  to keep more of the money they earn
• The tax system must be clearer, simpler and fairer
• The Republican tax cuts need to be made permanent
• We need a lower marginal tax rate for all Americans to strengthen our economy.  We should repeal the death tax and eliminate the alternative minimum tax
• There should be a ban on the internet tax
• We must cut the bureaucratic red tape that hinders small businesses, which create 80% of all new jobs in America

SPENDING

I will restore the trust and confidence of the American people by restraining government spending.

• Overspending has led to deficits and an increasing national debt.
• As a local elected official I had to balance a budget.  If families and towns have to balance their budget, so should Congress!
• By 2010, 42% of federal employees will be eligible to retire, which creates an opportunity to decrease the size of government. The government should not be the largest employer in our state.
• The President should have the line item veto to cut “earmarks” and frivolous pet projects
• There should be a 3/5, supermajority vote requirement for any new taxes. This will make it harder for Congress to raise taxes.

STRONGER ECONOMY

I support a pro-growth tax policy that rewards rather than penalizes productivity.  80% of all new jobs in America come from small business.  Encouraging and incentivizing Small Businesses is the key to creating new jobs and securing a strong economic future.  I will fight to:

• Create a long range incentive plan to keep jobs from going overseas
• Re- authorize the Republican tax cuts and lower marginal rates overall to put more money in the pockets of families
• Fight to cut the corporate tax rate to make our cities more competitive in a global economy
• Invest in math and science education to prepare students to compete in a global market

HEALTH CARE

We need improvements in the accessibility, cost and delivery of health care in the United States. Only when health insurers have to compete for customers in the free market will they provide the highest quality service and the most affordable care.

• I oppose national or government insurance or managed health care
• Doctors and patients should be able to decide on which treatment is best without government interference
• Everyone should have the freedom to select a health care plan that best meets their needs
• Frivolous lawsuits and excessive damage awards have driven up the cost of health care in this country. I will vigorously support medical insurance tort reform
• I believe individuals and small businesses should be allowed to buy insurance nationwide and through professional associations as a way to lower costs and improve flexibility

IMMIGRATION

Immigrants founded and built this great nation. The problem today is that illegal immigration is stressing our hospitals, our schools and our national security

• We must secure our borders both physically and with technology to stop illegal entry
• Anyone who wants to come to this country should have to follow our laws
• They should be given an ID card if they want to participate in a temporary worker program
• They should have to apply for citizenship so we know who they are and that they are paying taxes
• Amnesty is wrong- it encourages illegal immigration and disrespects the people who are legally waiting on line to come here, work hard, learn our language and be part of the American dream

• The toll increase is too steep, and unfairly punishes middle class commuters
• It is unfair that Middlesex, which consists of 16% of E-ZPass users, should bear the cost of bridges and road repairs in other counties
• Traffic will be diverted to local roads, disturbing our communities
• The prices of goods and services will increase from increased transportation costs
• Companies will divert their business away from our ports and into other states