ON THE ISSUES
I believe that there are common sense solutions to nearly all of the problems facing us today. It sounds pretty simple, but one of the things I've seen over and over again in my years of service in the Alaska State House of Representatives is that special interests always get in the way. That's about to stop. We're tired of waiting for politicians to stand up to the special interests. We're tired of the constant bickering and gridlock in Washington. That was the past. This is our future. I will stand up for Alaska and its people. Together we will build Alaska's future.
Ethics and Honesty
Corruption in politics has become so common that most people aren’t bothered by it anymore. They think that it comes with the territory. Well it bothers me, it does not come with the territory and in fact it makes me mad as a hornet. It has been an honor to serve the hardworking folks of the east Anchorage district in the Alaska House of Representatives and it’s hard for me to give that up. Really hard.
The Deficit
The skyrocketing budget deficit is a national problem requiring a bipartisan solution. Only ten years ago, during the robust economic days of the Clinton administration, the country produced a surplus. How did this situation change so rapidly and what can we learn from this?
Education
According to Alaska’s 2009 State Education Plan, at least a third of Alaska students will leave school without a high school diploma and about 40% of recent Alaska high school graduates who attend the University of Alaska need remedial courses. This is absolutely unacceptable. A nation of uneducated citizens will forever be susceptible to the endless lies and mis-information of the special interests.
Public Safety
I am passionate about fighting for the public safety of Alaskans. After a drunk driver – and repeat offender – hit and nearly killed my wife on Christmas Eve, 2004, I passed a bill to help prevent repeat offenders from purchasing alcohol by marking their Alaskan driver’s licenses and state IDs.
Defense
I will never support a policy that sends young American men and women into harm’s way unless we can unequivocally demonstrate a clear and present danger to the security of the United States of America or our allies. If it comes to this, I will insist on clear mission objectives, a mission timetable and an exit strategy.
Economic Opportunity and Jobs
The construction of the gas line is number one, but there is much more that we can do to promote economic opportunity and jobs to Alaska. We need to attract value added industries to take advantage of our numerous natural resources. In the Alaska House of Representatives I introduced legislation to incentivize companies to produce value-added industry. I supported the development of the Kensington gold mine in southeast Alaska and I support the construction of a railroad in central Alaska, to link isolated towns and villages and bring to market the enormous ore reserves of the Bornite copper deposit and the Ambler River District. I also support hydroelectric power in Southeast Alaska.
Energy
America must make every effort to move toward energy independence, focusing on developing our natural gas reserves and emphasizing “greener” technologies. This is a win-win situation for all Americans: it improves the environment, it reduces our trade deficit, it reduces our reliance on third world suppliers and it brings more jobs and income to the United States and the State of Alaska.
