On the Issues

Budget

The California budget has become a monster. It needs to be fixed. We can not continue to run up high uncontrollable deficits and function. There has to be middle ground of cutting our budget and not taxing the people of our states to the point that they can no longer afford to live here. We need to focus on reforms to curb waste and fraudulent use of our state programs. These our tough times and everybody is feeling it. We need to right the ship and then prepare for next problem area instead of hiding our head in the sand during the boom years like the major parties did.

California State Prisons

California’s prison conditions are out of control. There are main causes for this. First, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association has forgotten that they work for the state not the other way around. Every attempt to make adjustments to the system comes with rigid unrealistic expectations from the CCPOA. They seem to have forgotten how tough it is for the rest of us at this time. Second, the policy of serving jail time and then being deported is just not cost effective. In cases of nonviolent crimes, we should save our state money by deporting the criminals as soon as possible.

Immigration

The current policies and rules obviously do not work. We need reform. All the time we hear the ‘major’ parties talk about immigration reform but they never settle down and work on the problem. We need to find a safer more streamlined approach to the problem.

Jobs

With record highs in unemployment, something has to be done. People need to be able to support themselves. Our budget is already out of control; and financing all the people who can not find a job won’t make it any better. We need to encourage small business and private business to upsize instead of downsize. We need more jobs in the private sector to help people believe in themselves again. Not that their government did it for them. But, that they themselves can do it.

Legalization of Marijuana

As I stated in the California State Prisons section, The continued criminalization of Marijuana use and sale is costly and unnecessary. I believe that we should instead treat it in the same manner as we do alcohol. Regulations and taxes on purchase as well as regulations concerning driving after use should be put into place. First, this would help in additional tax income for the state. Second, it would lessen the burden on our overcrowded state prison system. As to claims that Marijuana is a gateway drug, I do not believe this to be true.

Legislating Morality

I, myself, am a Christian man. I am member of the Ministry Management Team for my church. That being said I do not want people using the law to come in and tell me how I should believe and I believe in extending that same right to others. The job of the government is to help it’s people not run their lives.

Native American Sovereignty and Gambling

As a true of my Libertarian roots, I believe in less government. This includes over governing sovereign governments. I am not saying that the tribes should be able to run amok. But I do believe they have the right to provide for themselves. Gambling has been a good source of income to them I think that we as a state should be encouraging the acts of self reliance that the casinos has brought them.

Part Time Legislature

We are in a budget crisis. California needs to reduce it’s budget. Cutting down the time and money spent on the legislature would avail it to other areas and concerns of our budget. The current proposal will cut the pay of the Legislature by 50% starting at the end of 2012. What other politician you know would advocate for a 50% pay cut. For me, this is not about the paycheck. It’s about doing my duty for my fellow citizens.

Right to Work State

I believe that workers have a right if they so desire to be a part of a union to speak for them. But I also believe that a person should have the right to any job without having to join a union of they do not wish to become one. I believe that would give people more control of their own money and how it is spent in political matters. It would also make unions more competitive in working for their dues. Giving people reasons they should become a part of the union instead of forcing them to do so in order to be hired in to a specific job.

Taxes

The middle class is being taxed and whittled out of existence. The tax system needs to be reformed so that our state can survive but this does not mean we need to raise taxes to do so. I believe with wise trims an compromise on budget items, California can once again have a balanced budget. We can not do this with the two parties who keep on raising deficits. I can not and will not propose or vote for legislation to raise taxes.