Issues
Taxes
Jeff believes that government spending is out of control and favors the freezing of government spending until the budget is balanced. This does not need to preclude moving forward on other important issues, such as the ones outlined on this web page. However, to move forward on those issues, a review of each government program should be completed; eliminating ones that are no longer beneficial, streamlining ones that are, and reducing spending to cover the new programs. All government programs should be subject to periodic reviews and require a majority vote to continue.
Jeff will not support any new taxes, or increases in current taxes, under any circumstance. Our government has been raising taxes through non-income tax avenues such as: increase in tobacco tax, cap and trade, and the proposed health care penalties.
Jeff also believes that all sales taxes, including excise taxes, should be fully disclosed at time of purchase. Most citizens do not know that there is an 18 cent federal tax on each gallon of gasoline because it is not disclosed at the pump.
Healthcare
Jeff believes that we need meaningful healthcare reform. However, the HR 3962 bill that just passed in the House has several shortcomings including: the creation of 111+ new government agencies, a “public option” that increases government control and intervention, reduction in Medicare reimbursements, and up to 10.5% in additional payroll taxes. The bill also contains items that Jeff does favor such as: the elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions and not allowing coverage to be dropped or rates raised due to illness. There have also been several other worthwhile reform suggestions such as: tort reform, sliding scale subsidies for lower-income individuals and families, out-of-pocket maximums, and increased cross-state competition.
Unfortunately, special interest groups’ influence over our lawmakers is introducing the inclusion of provisions that are not in the best interest of their constituents’ while ignoring others that are. Jeff will always represent the people. Finally, the independent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated the cost of the current bill at $1.3 Trillion dollars over the next ten years (covering only about 7 years of actual benefits). Any additional cost should be offset by other spending cuts, not through the increase of taxes or the deficit.
Immigration
Jeff believes that our government needs to stop the flow of illegal aliens across our borders. It’s ironic that our troops are protecting the borders of other countries, but not ours. Jeff favors using our troops to stop the flow of illegal aliens and drugs from crossing our borders.
There are currently as many as 20 million illegal aliens in our country. Jeff does not favor the rounding up and deportation of these individuals. However, law enforcement agents should be required to check the status of anyone violating our laws and deport them if they are here illegally. All government agencies should be required to do the same.
Jeff also realizes that many of these illegal aliens are performing jobs that would not be performed otherwise. He would favor a work visa program allowing foreigners to work in our country for a period of time and then return to their home country.
Energy
Our consumption of foreign oil is a tremendous drain on our economy and a threat to our national security. Jeff supports a comprehensive energy solution including: nuclear, solar, wind, clean coal, clean diesel, and the use of domestic oil and natural gas resources. He favors using government regulation to gradually reduce pollution and increase energy efficiency over time to minimize the impact on our economy and our jobs.
Jeff feels that the Cap and Trade bill will increase energy costs and send more jobs overseas and does not favor such a plan.
Ethics
Our politicians have forgotten that they represent the people and have succumbed to political parties, special interest groups, and their own political aspirations. Jeff would be honored to represent the interests “of the people” in Washington and is looking forward to discussing the issues with the people of Pennsylvania’s 8th district and earning their trust and respect.
Foreign Policy
Jeff believes that we need to stop using our armed forces for nation building activities, need to invest in missile defense to protect ourselves from nuclear missile attacks, and need keep our nation’s autonomy (we need to work “with” the UN and our allies, not “for” them). He also believes that Al Qaeda declared war on us and we need to treat it as a war.
Jeff supports a responsible plan for withdrawing our troops from Iraq. He would also like to see our strategy in Afghanistan change from nation building to eliminating terrorist strongholds and activity.
Education
Education is vital to our country’s short and long-term success and growth. Jeff favors making all accredited education, from elementary through college, fully tax deductible. This system of incentive could be easily implemented without adding significant government overhead.
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