Walls For Congress

ISSUES

HEALTHCARE

The United States of America is the only industrialized nation whose citizens are not protected by a comprehensive universal health care system. Despite the fact that 15 percent of our GDP is dedicated to health care spending, we lag behind the other major modern nations in terms of life expectancy and infant mortality. This is greatly attributable to the fact that the nearly 44 million Americans with no form of health insurance lack preventive care and thus, rely heavily upon emergency room care, which is the most expensive form of health care. These practices steadily result in an increase in the overall cost of healthcare. Therefore, I do believe the solution is to have the federal government offer comprehensive universal health care for all citizens.

To pay for such a program, I suggest a streamlined single payer system which would provide high quality heath care to all, while reducing overhead, paperwork and administrative costs. Funding would come from several sources. Legislation would allow the government to consolidate monies currently spent to cover children, the elderly, the disabled, veterans, and military families, as well as those persons legally entitled to receive emergency care, irrespective of their ability to pay. Additionally, taxes directed at employers would free them from escalating employee health insurance premiums. Finally, to accommodate those who might opt out of government funded healthcare, I would include a compulsory insurance component that would make health insurance truly accessible and affordable for all.

TAXES

Most people agree that our current federal income tax structure is complex and archaic. It is further complicated by the alternative minimum tax, which requires taxpayers to recalculate their taxes under alternative rules. Consequences for failure to properly apply AMT doctrines outweigh any benefits resulting from the AMT itself. If for no other reason than the fact that the AMT, which historically has only affected the filings of only 1% of taxpayers, will by 2010 affect one fifth of taxpayers, I am in favor of its elimination.

Due to loopholes and tax breaks favoring the rich, our progressive taxation system-tax rates, which vary according to ones ability to pay, has become a fiction. Warren Buffet recently highlighted the fact that he pays a lower percentage tax rate than his secretary. Tax relief for Americans in the lower economic strata has not kept pace with the tax relief afforded the wealthy. Thus, tax reform is necessary to eliminate preferential treatment.

I favor the fair flat tax legislation proposed by Illinois Representative Rham Emanuel and Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon. Specifically, I support the components that would condense the 1040 form to a single page; Eliminate tax brackets and instead impose flat rates of 15%, 25% and 35%; Provide higher standard deductions for all taxpayers; and completely eliminate the alternative minimum tax.

Although I recognize the need to close the gap between the high tax rate for wages and the low tax rate for capital gains and dividends, I am undecided as to the best approach. I am committed to further study of the effects these reforms would have on our fragile economy. I strongly suggest we reduce spending until the U.S. economy stabalizes.

EDUCATION

We must provide a superior public education for each and every child.

While the No Child Left Behind Act has been marginally beneficial by raising the test scores of low to middle performing students it has created a culture of teaching students to test, rather than creating educational environments which encourage students to follow their hearts and minds and explore their talents.

If the No Child Left Behind Act is reauthorized, it should include national achievement standards. Currently each state determines its own standards. Thus a child relocating from one state to another could be negatively impacted. The provision that allows Military Recruiters access to student’s contact information should be changed from an "opt out" to an "opt in" basis. Additionally, there should be a requirement that notice of this policy be included in the official student handbook provided to students and their parents at the time of enrollment.

IRAQ WAR

American combat troops stationed in Iraq have achieved all reasonable military objectives; including effecting a regime change, ensuring that Iraq is incapable of utilizing weapons of mass destruction, incapable of advancing a nuclear weapons program, and ensuring that the Iraqi government is not aiding and abetting terrorists. Since the implementation of the “surge,’ the frequency of skirmishes between American combat troops and organized terrorist groups have greatly diminished. Therefore, it is time to declare victory and immediately begin to withdraw American troops safely and in a dignified manner.

Meanwhile, we must act to limit the involvement of American troops in minor conflicts that do not involve terrorist. American solders do not serve as police within the United States, and should not serve as police in Iraq. The Iraqi police must be allowed to police the Iraqi citizens.

IRAN

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran is no longer engaged in the process of enriching uranium. Furthermore, it would be several years before Iran would have the capacity to develop a nuclear weapon, let alone a nuclear arsenal. Therefore the United States should exercise diplomacy and work with China and Russia to impose economic sanctions and an embargo if necessary. Certainly, we must avoid saber rattling, hype concerning military options, and threats of unilateral action, as it is imperative that we avoid the perception or appearance that America is Anti Islamic.

The United Nations should be encouraged to pursue opportunities to investigate Iranian facilities to assess their potential for nuclear weapon development. There must be continued dialogue between high level (not high profile) American Iranian and other international diplomats. Other Arab nations should be involved in any subsequent disarmament discussions.

IMMIGRATION

Congress must address the debilitating conditions that make foreign citizens desperate and motivate them to leave their loved ones and illegally cross the U.S. border. Until we end our participation in NAFTA and CAFTA, we must insist that participating nations establish a minimum wage proportionate to their cost of living, impose child labor laws, and environmental standards relating to production. This action would help to reduce the number of persons entering the U.S. illegally.

With American safety as the cornerstone, Congress must act decisively to protect our borders against all illegal entries. I am concerned that in addition to those seeking a better quality of life, terrorists are just as likely to enter the United States undetected. Congress must pass a border enforcement bill prior to consideration of any legalization legislation. I do not support Bush’s guest worker program. We must have a humane legalization process to accompany the DREAM act.

CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS

Members of Congress should not be allowed to secretly direct federal spending. There should be transparency in the funding of projects that are uniquely beneficial to the district of a particular congressman. While I do not advocate a complete prohibition of "earmark authority," I do not favor any earmark authority that allows the circumvention of local decision making. Local officials are a step closer to the constituencies and can more easily be held accountable for decisions pertaining to the allocation or use of government funds.

MEDICARE

It has been estimated that Medicare trust fund reserves will be exhausted in 2019, and that the Social Security trust fund will be exhausted in 2040. These are programs our citizens rely upon to ensure a positive quality of life during the golden years. Therefore, we must act decisively to avoid their depletion.

It is imperative that we control Medicare costs. This includes allowing Medicare officials to negotiate prices with Drug manufactures, and safeguarding the system against overpayments to insurance companies. Furthermore, we must encourage preventive care to reduce the need for critical care treatment.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Social Security faces a crisis unless there is some avoidance measure. I believe there are two primary options. We must either reduce Social Security benefits or increase the Social Security tax cap. A reduction in benefits would hurt those on fixed incomes. Thus, this is not my preferred option.

The Social Security Administration has projected that a 1.9 percentage-point increase would close the projected funding gap over a 75-year period. Whereas the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated the gap could be closed over the next 75 years with just a 1.0 percentage-point increase. Either way, Social Security can be stabilized by simply increasing the Social Security wage cap. Currently, all earnings up to $87,900 are taxed at 12.4% of wages to fund Social Security. I would support an increase in that Social Security tax cap.

Importantly, I would oppose any effort to privatize Social Security.

U.S. TRADE AGREEMENTS

We exist in a demanding global market. In order to remain competitive with China, Japan, and Europe, the U.S. must establish long-term trade agreements that are mutually beneficial. In addition to cementing U.S. presence in various regions around the globe, these recently established trade agreements are potentially profitable for American farmers and manufactures; alike.

IS AMERICA ON THE RIGHT COURSE?

I do not believe America is on the right course. We are fast becoming a nation that relies upon its military might, rather than its diplomatic prowess. We are at war with an invisible enemy. While our military concentration is in foreign lands, we are failing to protect our own shores.

With the cost of war at a billion dollars a week, no new taxes, and continued tax breaks for the rich, we are depleting our resources. President Bush must realize that you cannot have it both ways. Either he must repeal the tax cuts given the rich or scale back spending.

MY GREATEST CONCERN

The safety of the people of this great nation is my greatest concern. I am of the opinion that we have done little, if anything, to make our ports, air and sea, less vulnerable. We must use technology to screen for nuclear weapons and dirty bombs, which could be smuggled in and easily dispatched to our highways and byways. Additionally, we must protect Americans from dangerous or contaminated foods, medicines and other products.