Issues

Cut Taxes, Create Jobs

Tax cuts and investment incentives create jobs. I’m a former small business owner who has experienced directly the negative effects of government regulation and taxation. The difficulties and obstacles placed on business by government are real; and, I will pursue well-reasoned, responsible, long-term economic policies that focus on reducing our tax burden and encouraging investment, spurring innovation across all sectors of our economy. Specifically, I will work to:

• Provide immediate tax relief for working families by reducing the lowest individual tax rates from 15% to 10% and from 10% to 5%.
• Provide immediate tax relief to Small Business by reducing its tax rate from 35% to 20%.
• Oppose any tax increase for new spending.
• Make unemployment benefits tax free.
• Implement a new above-the-line tax deduction for Americans who do not receive tax-preferred employer sponsored health insurance.

Government Intervention

Government cannot solve our problems. We must not abandon the free market principles that carried our great nation into prosperity. I believe it is vital to our future economic growth that we return to private sector solutions. Specifically, I will work to:

• Stop the distribution of TARP funds.
• Eliminate government bailouts.
• Keep our government out of the business of seizing private companies.

Transparency in Legislation

Saddling our children and grandchildren with insurmountable debt is unacceptable. Deficit spending in form of 1000+ page legislation—for any reason stimulus, health care, or otherwise - violates all sense of transparency, prudence and fiscal restraint. Specifically, I will work to:

• Read and understand each piece of legislation before casting my vote.
• Oppose legislation that is rushed through congress without deliberation.
• Inform my constituents of the intended effects and repercussions each piece of major legislation before it comes to the House floor for a vote.

Health Care

I do not support a government run health care system. As a cardiothoracic surgeon of 14 years, I understand the need to lower health care costs and provide for better accessibility. To do so, we must focus on the fundamental issue of health care costs. By doing so, we will increase health care coverage and accessibility to those who cannot now afford it. Cost is the issue here, and I will work to lower cost specifically by working to:

• Pursue meaningful Tort Reform
• Expand Healthcare Savings Account eligibility
• Employee pooling to create larger, more competitive buying groups
• Remove denial of insurance based on preexisting conditions
• Protect Seniors from Medicare cuts
• Apply the following principles to our health care solution:
  • Expanded choices of doctors, hospitals, and health plans
  • Greater tax fairness and simplification
  • Remove barriers to choice and competition by allowing individuals and companies to purchase health insurance across state lines
  • Demand greater transparency insurance price disclosure

See my full position on healthcare reform.

The impact of defensive medicine.

Putting the District First

Constituent interests come first. I will never place the interests of my party over the interests of my constituents. Specifically, I will work to:

• Be your Citizen legislator.
• Implement a responsive and responsible constituent services program that promotes an ongoing conversation between taxpayer and representative.
• Listen to the district by constantly making myself available to every corner of the district.

Life

The unborn child has a fundamental right to life that cannot be infringed. Roe vs. Wade should be overturned. I am anti-abortion, but do believe exceptions should be made in the rare and extreme circumstances of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. Specifically, I will work to:

• Oppose using public revenues to fund abortions and continue to implement the restrictions of the Hyde Amendment and its legislative offspring.
• Deny federal funds to domestic or international organizations that promote abortion as a method of birth control.
• Support and promote the interests of organizations that provide encouragement and resources to women with crisis pregnancies.

Veterans

Too often the sacrifices of our veterans go unnoticed. During my residency from ’88 to ’95, I worked at the VA Milwaukee, and saw firsthand the inadequacies and limitations of our veteran’s healthcare. I will work tirelessly to implement programs that ensure veterans receive the benefits and care they deserve. I support allowing veterans to receive healthcare at private facilities if they chose to do so, and have these services covered under their benefits through the VA.

2nd Amendment Rights

The right to bear arms will not be infringed on my watch. I’m an ardent supporter of protecting the second amendment.

Border Security/ Immigration

I am against amnesty for illegal aliens. We need to strongly enforce the immigration laws that already exist. Provide funding for stronger border fencing and control along the U.S./Mexican border. We need to hold employers accountable who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.

Energy

We must work towards energy independence, for both economic and national security purposes. I support new exploration for sources of oil, clean coal technology, the expanded use of nuclear energy, and solar and wind energy technology.