Issues
Budget
Wasteful spending and the cost of the war in Iraq have added trillions of dollars to our national debt. Often called a deficit hawk, I am a true fiscal conservative, and if elected I will do everything I can to make sure the government spends your tax dollars responsibly.
Budget Deficit:
The reckless fiscal policy of the Bush Administration has added $3 trillion to our national debt in the last seven years. With the Bush Administration projecting a $482 billion deficit for FY 2009, it is time we restore fiscal responsibility.
A significant contributor to our nation’s debt is the war in Iraq. This war is costing our country $10 billion dollars a month and the total cost is expected to exceed $1 trillion.
Balance the Budget:
Balancing the budget is one of my top priorities. The government should be required to balance its budget just like American families and the great majority of state and local governments do. New programs or tax cuts proposed must have an offsetting spending cut or new revenue stream identified to pay for them.
Earmarks:
I support a moratorium on all federal earmarks until we can make the process more transparent and more merit-based. All earmark requests should be made public well before lawmakers are asked to vote on them and they should not be rewarded disproportionately to lawmakers who sit on key committees.
Read the Slattery Congressional Earmark Reform Plan
Education
My father, who was a Kansas farmer during the Great Depression, had only a 10th grade education, but he was a very wise man. He told me to get all the education I could get because it was something no one could take away from me. Education is an investment in the future of our country therefore we have a responsibility to provide our children with the best education possible.
Early Education
Quality, early-learning opportunities for children in their formative years are important for building a foundation for educational success. I support the expansion of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, all day kindergarten, and affordable high-quality childcare to give our children the smart start they deserve.
No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind Act amounts to an unfunded federal mandate. The goals of the legislation, to improve student achievement and close achievement gaps, are vitally important and thus we must make it a priority to fund NCLB. However, education should not be focused on preparing students for standardized tests.
Gas Prices
Problem
Record high gas prices are taking a toll on Kansas families and businesses while big oil companies continue to reap record profits. Congress must take action to lower gas prices and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
National Security
“We should start a responsible withdrawal of our troops from Iraq. We have to stay focused on fighting the war on terror.”
National security is the number one responsibility of the federal government. Six years after terrorists attacked our country on 9/11, our nation’s security is still at risk because we have failed to capture Osama bin Laden.
The Bush Administration ordered the invasion of Iraq without a plan for the occupation, without an adequate number of troops, without the proper equipment, and without an exit strategy. It is time that we begin to withdraw our troops in a responsible fashion and work to build stability in the region. Bottom line: we must fight a smarter war on terror. We cannot afford to spend $12 billion a month in Iraq indefinitely.
Envir. / Energy
“We need to develop alternative sources of energy like solar, wind, and biofuels. We can dramatically reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”
Our nation requires a comprehensive plan to address our energy needs and the impact on our environment.
Dependence on Foreign Oil
The United States is more dependent on foreign oil than at any time in our nation’s history, and Kansans are paying $4 for a gallon of gasoline to feed this dependence. Weaning Americans off foreign oil is not only an important economic goal, but also an urgent national security need and will be one of my top priorities.
Efficiency/Conservation
The first step to energy independence is conservation because the cheapest energy is energy we don’t use at all. It is also important that we use our limited resources more efficiently.
Alternative Energy
One of the best ways to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and cut global warming emissions is to invest in the research and development of alternative energies like wind, solar, and biofuels. Tax credits should be offered as incentives to produce and use alternative energy.
Domestic Drilling
I support expanded domestic production of oil but it is important to realize that we cannot drill ourselves out of this energy crisis. We must continue to develop alternative energy sources.
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
According to the Department of Energy by 2018 ANWR might produce enough oil to decrease gas prices by only one to four cents a gallon. Therefore, I am opposed to drilling in ANWR and believe we should save the oil for future generations when it can be extracted in an environmentally sound manner.
Clean Coal
I believe it is important to explore clean coal technology to help us end our reliance on foreign oil. I refuse to accept that we cannot develop the technology to capture carbon emissions or burn coal cleanly.
Nuclear
I am open to exploring nuclear energy as one part of the solution to the global energy and environmental crisis.
Climate Change
Climate change is a serious issue facing our entire planet and each of us has a responsibility to address the problem. The best way to reduce the threat of global warming is to reduce CO2 emissions. This can be done by reducing our consumption of fossil fuels and improving the fuel efficiency of our cars and trucks.
And right here in Kansas we have the opportunity to develop alternative energy technologies like wind and biofuels. Investing in these new technologies will not only combat climate change but also encourage economic development by creating good paying “green jobs.”
The Economy
“The federal government must live within its means and balance its budget just like Kansas families do.”
With rising costs for food and gas, a spike in unemployment, and rising inflation rates, Kansans are struggling to make ends meet.
The fledgling economy is a result of the reckless spend and borrow fiscal policy of the Bush Administration that has driven down the value of the dollar and driven up the price of gas and all imported goods.
When elected to the Senate, I will fight to stabilize our economy and improve American’s quality of life.
Tax Breaks
- Middle Class Relief: I support targeted, middle class tax relief and would extend tax cuts for people earning less than $250,000.
- Marriage Penalty: We should end the marriage penalty.
- Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT): We must provide permanent relief for those being unfairly hit with by the Alternative Minimum Tax.
- Earned Income Tax Credit: The earned income tax credit should be preserved.
- Estate Tax: The estate tax laws should be reformed by increasing the exemption and by reducing the tax rate.
Job Creation
In order to compete in the global economy we must invest in the creation of new 21st century jobs for American workers. Our economy depends upon the development of a well-educated workforce whose high-paying jobs cannot be exported to other countries.
Small Businesses
Small businesses generate more than 60% of all new jobs and are critical to the growth of our economy. We must continue to encourage small businesses and entrepreneurs by investing in support programs and eliminating the burden of double taxation.
Mortgage Crisis
Homebuyers should be protected against predatory lending practices. I support programs to help homeowners avoid foreclosure and incentives for lenders to refinance existing mortgages.
Health Care
“As we move forward, we have to be dedicated to expanding the availability of affordable health insurance to Kansans.”
It is essential that we take action to increase access to quality, affordable health care for Kansans. The federal government, state governments, and individuals must all work together to address the health care crisis in America. We have a responsibility.
Universal Coverage
I’m concerned about the number of Americans who lack health insurance and simply cannot afford to get sick. With more than 300,000 Kansans, including over 50,000 children, lacking adequate health insurance, we must move towards the goal of universal coverage.