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Abilene, TX, 55, Havre, MT, Retired, M.Ed. - I have lived and worked in several states across the nation. I am a veteran of the U.S. Army and spent a career in public service as a federal agent with the U.S. Border Patrol. I know how to research issues, build partnerships and coalitions to address complex problems, operate within a bureaucracy, hold people accountable, and accomplish goals. I understand how our system of government was designed to work and I am committed to preserving the liberties and freedoms we inherited from our founding fathers.
The most important issue facing Montana is the economic vitality of our state. When people elect representatives that institute unnecessary programs and ask government to provide all manner of services to meet their individual needs, governments overspend and require ever-increasing revenue, which leads to perpetually increasing taxes. The only long-term solution is to elect leaders that will make the hard choices to cut government spending, reduce unnecessary programs, eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, and return the power to the people. We must turn to our neighbors and lend a helping hand, give of our time, talents and resources, so that we do not have to ask the government to provide that which we can provide for ourselves.
I support reducing taxes and the size of government, thereby limiting the economic impact of taxation on individuals. Lower taxes also incentivize businesses and corporations to do business in Montana. Individually, taxes should be applied evenly across a broad base of taxpayers so that all Montanans are contributing in some way to the economic vitality of our state. We all benefit from the services that government is called upon to provide, such as roads, schools, healthcare, prisons, public safety, etc. We must take care of those members of society that are unable to care for themselves. Those members of society that can contribute have a duty to contribute.
Eligible voters must be citizens of the United States. I would support initiatives that require proof of citizenship when registering to vote well in advance of the election date. Any form of ID that does not inherently prove citizenship is unacceptable. This is critical to the integrity of our election process and ensuring that only eligible voters are allowed to participate in electing our representatives.
The State of Montana has already established campaign donation limits and restrictions prohibiting businesses and corporations from contributing to campaigns. PACs spending their own money to support candidates of their choice is free speech protected by the 1st Amendment. PACs must register and report expenses as required by law.
