Review Page

He’s written a lot thru his life, public web sites and Letters to the Editor (and we’ll be adding those soon). He still believes in what he said and hopes it echoes how many of you feel. What you want for your local community and our Country.

Sometimes a candidate’s agenda can read like an encyclopedia. Sometimes the words are vague and don’t really say anything. We’ll try a simple/direct approach, and again, the importance of dialog. Don’t assume the worse, feel free to send us your thoughts. He’d like to hear what you feel and why.

QUICK SUMMARY:

I’ve voted for Democrat ‘first-terms’ in the past. I liked what Clinton and Obama said. But their nice words didn’t transfer into any real policy making us a better Country for our citizens. Never got my vote again. President Trump spoke with clear words and was not afraid to take action: Tax changes, limiting regulations, promoting business, challenging easy abortion, enforcing our Southern Border, strengthening our military, and asking our NATO allies to pay their fair share.

At times I find his words blunt and attacks a little too personal, but given a choice, I prefer his actions versus the ‘smiling faces/words’ delivered by politicians who are thinking the same ‘blunt’ thoughts.

SOME IMPORTANT ISSUES / HOW I FEEL:

  • Abortion – It’s not a ‘right’, terminating a human life is not a ‘choice’, and it’s certainly not ‘birth control’. But, are there situations where we say ‘Okay’, yes. But to begin that dialog, I believe we must all agree: In each and every case it’s an unfortunate family tragedy.
  • China/Russia – Autocracies that are well equipped and have a lot of ‘bully’ potential. My eyes were opened reading “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” by William Shirer. How a man like Hitler & the NAZI party, steered the German People into intolerance and threw the world into chaos — and how the Western Democracies were willing to listen to every lie he told, apology, and every request for another chance. They failed the courage of their convictions, wanted to avoid armed conflict, and instead allowed a human disaster!
  • Defund the Police – A bad concept and a useless ‘fix’. Police have a very demanding job. I’m former Military, we usually knew where the enemy was and what to expect — police don’t have that luxury. We thank ‘vets’ for ‘their service’ …. we certainly owe the same to folks who wear a badge. Are there bad cops? Yes, and one bad apple can spoil the basked.

    The fix? A contractual Honor Code. In almost every situation where a ‘bad’ cop hurts a citizen, they are usually one or more ‘good’ cops present. But at Police Academy, they are taught that to ‘be a team, you lookout for each other’ and this sometimes turns into ‘cover for each other’…

    At the Air Force Academy, where strong team was a must — we were taught NOT TO TOLERATE. If a fellow cadet was lying, cheating, or stealing – we were OBLIGATED to intervene, potentially stop the action before it occurs, but if it did, TURN HIM IN. That person by violating the Honor Code, was NOT A MEMBER OF THE TEAM. If we did not, we faced expulsion also.

    Good cops need to be able to say “Mary, I saw what you did and I’m going to turn you in. Your action is not going to risk my job, support for my family, or make every other officer on this force look bad.”
  • Defense – The United States was the last line of defense in two crucial World Wars, and the Cold War, to protect nations and the principles of Democracy and Liberty. Yes, we’re not perfect, but certainly MUCH BETTER than the alternatives. In the small, a “bully” is only afraid of someone tougher. We need to make sure international bully’s are afraid of us — and we need to live up to our principles.
  • Deficit Spending – Only the government can spend money it doesn’t have and will be repaid at sometime in the far future. Does the ‘small’ work before applying to the ‘large’? We could never do this in our individual lives. I consider myself a charitable person and try to do as much as I can, but I don’t spend money I don’t have.

    As history has shown, our children will pay a terrible toll. Spending within our means forces us to confront the tough questions (as you would at home). Members of Congress find it so easy to give away “FREE MONEY”; and don’t we like it as citizens?
  • Dreamers – The
  • Economy – A free market and Capitalism may not be perfect, but I haven’t seen a better historical alternative. People work the hardest when they can enjoy the fruits of their labor. That’s how this country grew. But, we do need a level playing field and competition (see ‘Workers’ below). Many of us know what it’s like to have ‘only one Cable company’ to choose from, pay their rates or else!
  • FREE Speech – The 1st Amendment and hard to believe I need to mention it. I believe many have experienced ‘censorship’ on Facebook. Computer ‘algorithms’ deciding if others will see what you just said, or is it accurate, or do we need to add a ‘disclaimer’… Just “Shut People Up!” if they say something not politically correct or potentially offensive to someone.
  • FREE College – OMG! What happened with government guaranteed student loans? No risk to the bank, or the student (many want to forgive that debt), just to the taxpayer. Let’s face it, all Colleges did is increase their tuition & fees to ‘absorb’ the extra money, maybe pay faculty more, nicer facilities. Certainly a lot more student load. But are they there to learn?
  • Gay Marriage/Civil Union – I certainly feel a Gay couple deserves the same rights/privileges as any traditional married couple; however, the word ‘marriage’ has a lot of historical meaning. Right now I’d prefer a different ‘name’ and certainly Civil Union is OK, and it can be used also by non-gay couples if they wish. Perhaps we need more time to adjust?

    I do have to ask. Why am I labelled a “Homophobe”? I hear that term all the time, is it justified “prejudice”? I looked up one definition “a person with a dislike of or prejudice against gay people.” I certainly don’t feel that way, I have good friends that are gay. Yes, we disagree on the Marriage vs. Union…. our opinions differ, but we still respect each other.
  • Gun Ownership -The 2nd Amendment and yes I feel it is your right as a citizen. I share the concern with personal violence, you here the numbers, but we’re a nation of over 300,000,000 people! I live in New York, a former Air Officer and held a SECRET clearance, never convicted of any serious crime and never violence. I was DENIED A PISTOL PERMIT by a single Judge, with no review options other than to challenge it in court (how may people can afford that?). I spent a little money with a great lawyer, and my name is in the Appeal to the United State Supreme Court.

    The bigger problem, and let’s treat the ’cause’ …. why do we want to hurt each other? Metal detectors getting into School? Back in the 60s, 70s, many of us carried pen knives in our pockets – but we weren’t going to stab anyone.
  • Immigration – We’ve got to control the mess at our Southern Border. How does it ever make sense to have elementary school aged children, dropped across our border, and we allow this to happen?

    Does the ‘small’ work before applying to the ‘large’? If you had a nice house, money, plenty of room — does your poor neighbor have a ‘right’ to occupy a spare room? Leave their child with you? No. Charity and compassion are things we ‘should’ do, but not something that can be ‘demanded.’
  • NATO – An important alliance, but without a doubt, they fully need to pay their fair share — and if anything, probably a little more because the risk of invasion/external control is much closer.
  • Product Liability Lawsuits – Have you noticed when you buy a new product, there is more to read in ‘fine print’ than there are directions on how to use it? I’d like to hear more discussion on this idea. If you are damaged by a bad product, you can sue for your injuries/loss of income, but a control on ‘punitive damages’.

    Frankly, if some people in the company knew it was a bad product and sold it anyway, they should face ‘criminal’ charges. If you can prove it beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury and get a unanimous verdict of guily – send them to jail.
  • Schools
  • Social Security
  • Term Limits for Congress – After Franklin Roosevelt was elected to Four Terms as President, Congress decided the Constitution should be amended to a Two Term limit — but funny how they excluded themselves!!! Right now I like the idea of a 3 Term limit in the House and Senate, but I would listen to arguments for lower. Get rid of the FAT pensions, contribute to 401K like everyone else. It’s not you job for life, but an opportunity to serve, and then make room for someone else. I will not serve more than three terms in the House of Representatives regardless.
  • Workers – An Italian immigrant, My Father swung a sledge hammer on the Rail Road staring about 1916. He experienced the great depression and the importance of Unions to level the playing field. But the pendulum can swing to far in both directions. Sorry, no easy answer here…