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I supported our President and our troops once the decision was made, but I
did urge more debate and preferred a declaration of war before we entered
Iraq. I also wanted more Arab and Islamic members in our international coalition.
However, we are in Iraq. America and the critical Middle East are both safer
without Saddam Hussein. To win the war against terrorism, we must succeed
in assisting the Iraqi people struggling to overcome foreign terrorists and
insurgents and establish a government that will serve their interests instead
of an anti-American tyrant's. No other country is willing or capable to lead
this effort. To cut and run would create a power vacuum and make Iraq a haven
for terrorists.
My highest priority is strengthening our Armed Services and intelligence capabilities
to track down, eliminate or capture terrorists overseas instead of here at
home. Fort Detrick in the Sixth District is leading America's efforts to improve
our defenses and deterrence against biochemical terrorist attacks. Strengthening
our border, port security and law enforcement capabilities including reducing
illegal immigration will make it harder for terrorists to attack the United
States. Businesses should increase the security of their facilities and operations.
To further deter terrorism, all Americans should be more vigilant to report
potential threats and become better prepared to respond to attacks.
 Improving the Economy and Creating JobsGovernment
does not create jobs. Entrepreneurs and businesses create jobs.
Small businesses are the engines of our economy and create most
new jobs and innovations. Americans are the most productive workers
in the world. Government policies can create an environment that
will strengthen our economy by increasing the benefits from work,
saving and investment and reducing government-imposed costs so
that individuals and businesses have more incentives to create
new and higher paying jobs here in the U.S. History shows that
reducing taxes and spending and eliminating counterproductive
regulations and burdensome paperwork are the best policies to
improve America's economy.
I voted for H.J. Res. 106, a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage solely
as a union between one man and one woman. I did so because for 5,000 years
of recorded human history, marriage between one man and one woman has been
the foundation for perpetuating Christian and non-Christian civilizations
because it is the fundamental and best unit for raising children. Our Constitution
is going to be amended to address the definition of marriage - by unelected
activist judges or by elected representatives acting upon the will of the
people. It's very sad that our Constitution needs this 28th Amendment.
The authors of our Constitution were very clear, "A well regulated militia
being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to
keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." Clearly, the intention was
not only to allow the citizenry to defend against an oppressive government.
The framers of the Constitution believed that by providing for their own defense,
law abiding citizens should share in the responsibility of maintaining law
and order. The anti-gun lobby fails to recognize that denying law-abiding citizens
the right to own firearms only serves the interests of criminals.
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