The Issues:
There are so many issues that affect the lives of all of us living in Idaho and it is vertually impossible to document all of them so I am listing what I feel are the most controversial and constitutional issues of today:
GUN CONTROL - ABORTION - IMMAGRATION - EDUCATION - IDAHO FOREST - CRIME
If you would like additional information on these issues please contact me directly and/or attend one of my state appearances.
GUN CONTROL
The Second Amendment (Amendment II) to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects a right to keep and bear arms.
There is some controversy over whether or not this amendment governs militia or private citizens. I believe it was the intent to govern all citizens. Federal level Gun Control should be limited to the import and export of weapons and the requirement of registration on a national level but individual states must be in control of how weapons are to be managed within state boundaries.
Gun ownership comes with responsibility. It is my position that all individuals who own/purchase weapons should receive proper training on gun safety, firing, and maintenance of their weapon. Providing proper education will have an effect on the number of firearm accidents. A properly stowed weapon doesn’t kill but a gun in the hand of an individual which has not properly stowed can.
Read More on Gun Control
During my travel throughout the state the question of abortion always arises. I have been asked by women and High School students what my stance on abortion is.
Abortion is one of today’s toughest debates. It is my belief that one needs to seek the answer from our God. In the Bible it says do not take the life of an innocent which opens the question of when does life begin. I believe that life begins at the moment of conception when the egg is fertilized, thus to abort this child would be taking the life of an innocent.
I must state that though I do not believe in abortion, I do however understand that unwanted pregnancy should not result in being ostracized, beaten or stoned. Jesus said man was given free will to make decisions and to take action upon those decisions. It is not our place to force our beliefs on others or demand everyone submit to our individual beliefs.
Today our young children are taught "Sex Education" in school where abstinence is generally left aside for proper protection techniques. These same children are exposed to seductive materials on the Internet and on television. I believe our children should be provided alternatives to abortion and be educated, counseled on such matters. With parental support and appropriate education we can teach our children to make proper decisions. I fully advocate providing life lessons to our children covering Sex Education with Abstinence and disclosure of Abortion procedures along alternatives such as Adoption.
In cases of pregnancy due to rape and incest the final choice of terminating the pregnancy is a private matter and a medical abortion is warranted if desired. Additionally, I can support termination where termination is medically warranted to save the life of mother. I do not support the use of any taxpayer funds to support medical abortion.
No matter how each of us feels as an individual and how loud we voice our opinions we as a free nation can not force a women to choose life over abortion. The final decision is between the individual and their Lord and Savior. Our responsibility is to educate and provide alternatives and not mandates.
IMMIGRATION
The immigration issue in America today is stuck in a quagmire of Political, Social and Fiscal whirlwinds. I can understand the advocates who want to send the 12 million illegal immigrants back to their countries of origin but is that really a final solution?
Our country was established with the idea of the right of each individual to have freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Yes, these individuals are not of legal status and should not arbitrarily receive the benefits of American Citizenship because they manage to cross our borders. Tax payers do not want to fund health and educational benefits to illegal migrant but in reality you are through other channels.
There are alternatives to the current state of do nothing! Without giving a blanket immunity and citizenship to illegal migrants we can establish programs to allow current illegal immigrants to be provided temporary worker status while undergoing a citizenship education requirement with timelines.
Immigrants who do not comply with citizenship programs are subject exportation. State and Federal authorities can jointly work together to establish community projects to mutually benefit program workers and State needs. Immigrants in the program would pay State and Federal Taxes.
EDUCATION
When looking at education around the world it is quickly discernible that the US Education System is not advancing or keeping track with other industrial nations such as Japan. In the world of IT and computer programming India is leaving the US in the dust.
I don’t believe that it is necessary to wipe the slate clean and totally revamp the US Educational System but it is obvious that no modifications and keeping the status quo can no longer be an option. I believe that "No Child Left Behind" though well intended is an idiosyncrasy. This program is flawed and does not address what I feel is the key issue in our educational system.
At the end of the day not every child is going to complete High School and go onto higher education.
We as a nation can mandate school attendance, continue overcrowding and letting our children "pass" intentionally to move the problem along. For decades we have used the phrase "too many Chiefs and not enough Indians" (excuse the unintended politically incorrect example). In society there will always be a need for leaders and followers or bosses and laborers. Our educational focus should not be on ensuring that every individual obtains a college degree but addresses the desire of the individual and their life goals. Let us spend our time and focus on providing the educational requirements for our children from technical training to be mechanics to astrophysicists. By developing educational plans for a more technical certification alongside traditional education we can successfully motivate and educate our children and reduce dropout rates.
IDAHO'S FORESTS
en looking at education around the world it is quickly discernible that the I’ve believe in conserving our old growth forests as much as anyone. I want the forests to be carefully managed. Our forests must be managed to prevent disease, excess logging and preservation of our natural resources and wild life.
Hunters should be allowed to hunt in all areas, however, game populations will need to be monitored and restrictions put in place only if warranted. Off road vehicle restrictions will be required in some areas. The intent of off road vehicle restriction would be to preserve the land and wildlife. Off road vehicle recreation continues to grow and designated area can be developed.
Foreign interests should not be allowed to buy large tracts of our land and trees. Logging should be closely regulated and bids should be obtained and awarded for small in-state logging operators. Logging should be conducted in small partials staggered throughout the state.
The primary goal of our logging operations is to preserve our natural forests, prevent soil erosion, incorporate new growth with older growth while providing the necessary lumbar.
CRIME
The people of Idaho ask, "Why is the crime rate so high?"
If you ask your state politicians and representatives they will tell you we need to build bigger prisons and hire more police and promote more stern jail sentences as deterrents. Our political official's have gone as far as to say put cameras on all public buildings and roads in an effort to monitor and prevent crime. I have a solution and the answers to cutting down on our crime rate though it is not politically correct. Politicians know that it is political suicide to tell the public openly what the public already knows.
To resolve our crime problem we have to get to the root of the problem. The root of the crime problem stated in the 1960’s when the states started parenting. They took the parenting rights from the parents and hired state social workers to stop the abuse in the homes. Good intentions are not resolutions, over time the meaning of discipline, punishment and abuse have become one word, abuse. Parental and Teacher discipline has declined to the point of non-existence. The truth is, parenting and the teaching of discipline belongs to the parents and teachers, not the state.
The teachers are the educators without respect from the parents and students, they cannot do their jobs and become nothing more than glorified babysitters. We need to stop our children from the manipulation of the system. They use threats to get their way. With this, our teachers cannot teach and our parents can not parent which has a direct affect on our children’s education which contributes to crime. With the deterrents and punishments learned through education our children will learn they do not need to resort to crime to replace a bad educational experience or lack of morals and values.
It took more than forty years to get to this point, can you imagine what will happen in another forty? Idaho, lets be the first to make good teacher and respect synonymous with the reduction in crime through goof teaching and discipline.
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