Where I Stand

I believe in the people of the 72nd House district, and all of Greater Johnstown.

You don't work for the government, but rather the government works for you, or at least it should.

If we elect politicians who bribe us with our own money by offering scraps and hand-outs, we allow the bureaucrats to manipulate us.

In a district like ours, any hand-outs "delivered" by our legislators are mere scraps compared to the big public expenditures in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

It's time we take a stand.

Here's what I believe:

  • Government's role is to perform only those functions that we the people can't handle on our own.
  • Tax dollars should only be used to fund essential government services, and that we the people should be allowed to keep more of our earnings than what the politicians currently "let" us keep. Remember, it's our money, not theirs.
  • A low-tax economy with limited government will create a flourish of entrepreneurship and consumer activity that will provide more jobs and better jobs than a stifling big-government economy will allow. Pennsylvania has a notoriously anti-business climate, and that's why our economy lags behind so many other states.
  • Strong families are the backbone of a healthy society, and the weakening of the family is directly related to the economic pressures governments impose.
  • There are a multitude of state government departments, offices and bureaucracies that should be abolished.
  • I believe in the principles and values expressed in the Declaration of Independence, namely life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

On the Issues

Abortion - LIFE
I believe that human life is precious, that it begins at conception, and one of the primary functions of government is to protect life from beginning to end. Roe v. Wade was bad law and it will likely be overturned by the Supreme Court. When it is the issue will come rolling down to the states. We need legislators in Harrisburg who will fight for life.
Economy
I believe that an economy with low taxes and limited regulation will thrive, while high tax, high regulation states like Pennsylvania will suffer. We must foster job creation by giving job creators reasons to do business in Pennsylvania and making it easy, not difficult, to conduct commerce here.
Education
I believe that parents and teachers are best suited to making education decisions, and that bureaucrats (in Washington and Harrisburg) should let parents and teachers do what's best for our children. I further believe that parents should have choices as to where their children go to school (I am "pro-choice" on this issue.)
Environment
I love the outdoors, as do most Pennsylvanian's. We need to encourage proper stewardship of our natural resources while respecting private property rights and not resorting to the confiscation of property or taking private property out of usage.
Health Care
I believe that while our health care is the best in the world, prices are too high and escalating. The solution to escalating prices is to have consumers involved as much as possible in their health care decisions, and anything that lessens consumer involvement will only lead to further price escalation.
Jobs
I believe that the best path to job creation is one that gives businesses incentives to grow. That involves low taxation, sensible regulatory policies and a sound legal system.
Legal Reform
I believe that our legal system is in need of reform. We need to move towards a loser-pays system that discourages frivolous lawsuits and we need to consider capping non-economic jury awards.
Political Reform
Our legislature is far too costly, our state government has too many bureaucracies and bureaucrats, and the entire system needs an overhaul.
Second Amendment
I believe that individual citizens have the right to both keep and bear arms, and infringements upon this right are in direct violation of the Second Amendment. Further restrictions on firearm ownership will only lead to more crime, as criminals will not obey gun laws while they are breaking other laws.
Taxation
I believe that taxes should be used to fund a small and limited government, doing only those things that people can't do for themselves. A low tax environment will lead to economic growth that will help fund those government programs we do need.