Honor
Integrity
Issues
There are many issues facing our district and our country. Perhaps none more important than the lack of confidence in our Government to do what is best for America, what is best for us, the American People. AMERICA FIRST!
National Security
National Security must be foremost for our government. National Security preparedness means planning for the immediate and the strategic as well as using all of our assets available to us. Therefore, I strongly support the Terrorist Surveillance Program and the intelligence community. The people must be assured these programs are strictly used in antiterrorism efforts and not abused to infringe upon the basic rights of every American.
National Security also means that the United States governs itself. We should never allow outside governing bodies or organizations to dictate what is best for the United States.
Education in the sciences is key to our National Security as well. We are falling behind in the sciences and yet many jobs that affect our National Security require a secret clearance, which prohibits the hiring of foreign nationals. We are not meeting the educational needs of the future.
Energy is a matter of National Security. With the demand of oil by more industrialized countries, we must develop an alternative source of transportation fuel, diminishing our need for fuels on a competitive world market.
Border Security
Perhaps our greatest vulnerabilities are our Borders and our Ports of Entry. We are extremely vulnerable to the smuggling of Weapons of Mass Destruction and agents of our enemies. Without a secure border we are also vulnerable to those who enter our country illegally for purpose of criminal activity to include gang affiliation and narcotics trafficking. Fact: 25% of crimes referred to the FBI are related to Illegal Immigrants!
Immigration
If Congress simply said there will be "NO AMNESTY" and required the enforcement of existing laws years ago, illegal immigration would not be the problem it is today. The ambiguity of Congress the last two decades has encouraged the migration of millions to the United States in hopes of citizenship. Years of inaction by this government, has created this problem; it will take years of action to fix it.
Education
Education is the foundation of our social and economic future. "No child left behind" should become a reality, not just a phrase. Having said that, there should be a minimum standard for advancement and there should be an incentive for achieving excellence. I will work to provide the tools for education to all elementary, middle and high schools, regardless of social or economic status. Our children, all of our children, are the future of America. I would support:
Grants for children who excel in needed sciences. Tax credits to "home school children". Fight against State Budget cuts when it comes to the education of our future generations.
Social Security
"The Government continues to break its promise to Americans." Unlike Congress, we cannot give ourselves a raise to improve our retirement. Social Security should be protected from government borrowing. It was never intended to be a bucket of money for other non-related social agendas. In 2041 Social Security will be depleted. I am adamantly opposed to using Social Security money for other government expenditures and giving away social security benefits to illegal immigrants. We must offer an alternative to the next generation: The option of investing for their retirement.
Taxation
"All working Americans like lower Taxes." Lower taxes mean more discretionary spending. An extra pair of shoes for our children, more money saved to buy a home or more money put away for our retirement. But today our government is spending, spending and spending with the solution to our deficit being the increase in Taxes and creation of money that is worthless. Fiscal Responsibility and Tax overhaul is the answer. Our tax code is beyond comprehension; even Albert Einstein was quoted as saying that he could not understand the Income Tax code.
I support making the Bush Tax Cuts permanent.
Economy
I support the raising of the Conforming loan amounts for high cost areas and would support the extension of those rates thru 2009. This will have a positive effect on the real estate market adding stability, liquidity and security to the current housing market.
I also support the current policy of lowering interest rates to stimulate the economy but these are a band-aid approach to the looming problem of jobs, income and financial security. We must invest in our future. Technology, alternative sources of energy and especially alternative fuels for our vehicles are the Corporations and jobs of the future. I would encourage development of alternative sources of energy by providing investment tax credits, especially in the development of sources of energy for automobiles.
We must get the economy back in order.
Iraq
I can only trust that the United States invaded Iraq for reasons of national security, understanding that the President and Congress approved the invasion. The question is what do we do now?
To pull all troops out right away is a bad decision. To have no indication of an end date is a bad decision.
We have established a foundation on which to build i.e. repair of infrastructure, establishment of security and the foundation of a democratically formed government. To abandon Iraq at this time would open the way for a power struggle of warring factions and the consequence would be the loss of many innocent lives and the possible demise of a government that we have sacrificed so much for. In addition, a failed Iraqi government would only increase the probability of outside intervention by countries or groups hostile to the interests of the United States.
Having said that, the continued sacrifice of American lives and the expenditure of billions of dollars must be met with exponential progress and the ending of divisive actions of the Iraqi government i.e. Provincial government and Oil revenue sharing.
Military Support
National Security must be foremost for our government and a strong military is essential for National Defense. Our Military must always be strong enough to detour and if need be, respond to those who threaten us. Having served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army during three wars, combat in two of them, I do not feel that we can ask our service men and women to go in harms way with out having the best equipment and most advanced technology available.
For those who serve: Airmen, Marines, Sailors and Soldiers deserve the best combat equipment; Technological support, medical care and our best support for the transition back to civilian life. Our veterans also deserve protection of their retirement benefits.
Other Issues
English should be our National Language and English should be the principle language in our schools, at all levels. The use of a foreign language as a principal language in our education system only serves to foster a disadvantage for our children.
I PLEDGE ALLIGENCE AND IN GOD I TRUST!
RETIRED FEDERAL AGENT
RICKPOWELLFORCONGRESS.COM
Respectfully Yours,
Rick Powell
Website: http://www.RickPowellForCongress.com
Email: RickPowellForCongress@gmail.com