FAQ
1. Why are you running?
I’m a concerned citizen worried about the future direction of our nation. It’s time we have a Congressman willing to stand up FOR the Conservative Values & Principles of District 17 and stand up TO the current leadership in Washington. I want to stand up and have all of us counted at a time when America needs quality, conservative leadership.
I love my country and I want to see it return to its moral and philosophical grounding. I stood up to be counted on active duty, and I feel compelled to stand up and be counted again. America needs character, morality, and conservatism in its leaders.
2. Why should someone vote for you?
I’m a Christian, Reagan Conservative, family man, U.S. Navy Vet, Aggie, and Registered Nurse. I’m a regular guy from the community. I have a regular job, with a regular mortgage, in a regular neighborhood. I think that we need more common voices in our government if We, The People of District 17 are to be truly and accurately represented in Washington.
I believe in a much smaller government, a more responsive government, and that we should have leaders that respect our morality and our freedom.
I believe in capitalism and conservatism. I believe in the average American’s ability to plan his own life free from government influence and interference.
My views and beliefs best represent the values of this community and I will reflect our values to Washington. We need a representative who will actually represent OUR values in Washington. Instead, we currently have a representative who says one thing here at home, and then votes 96% of the time with the ‘San Fran liberal latte’ crowd in Washington. With the current leadership in Washington, we can no longer afford to give that leadership Chet Edwards’ 96% support.
3. Why shouldn’t we keep or send someone with more political experience to Washington?
If Washington is to represent the average American, it needs to be the kind of place where an average American can go and make a difference. If it’s not, sending more professional politicians to Washington will not be the solution. THAT’S the problem.
I reject the notion that we must be governed by an intelligentsia elite. Our problem in Washington isn’t that we haven’t sent enough of the ’smartest boys in the room’ to be our leaders; it’s that we have sent too many who lack common sense. We need people that share our common values and our common sense. For example, 95% of us knew that passing the “Bail-out” in Oct ‘08 was a bad idea. We told our representatives just that. Common sense could have informed our legislators on this issue. Instead, they said knew better than us and voted against our values and principles.
We need our values, principles and concerns represented in Washington. What better way to make sure that OUR voice is heard than to send someone from OUR community who shares those values, principles, and concerns – and will represent them strongly in Congress.
If you haven’t read Bastiat’s, The Law, I encourage you to do so. It is short and discusses this very idea of the kind of leader – and government – that is best to ensure liberty.
4. How does your family feel about your running?
My wife is enthusiastic about our running. We are a team. She has put long hours into this campaign so far, and I’m not only appreciative, I’m proud. Starting a political campaign is hard work. If not for my wife, we would not be this far. In fact, we would not have even started.
My sons are active in their own lives and help when they can. My two oldest boys, in particular, have jumped in and helped when their schedules permit. My youngest son is in high school and is focused on his job as a student, exactly as he should be. I will not permit my boys to be distracted by the campaign as right now they have other responsibilities to prepare for life ahead.
My daughter, a toddler, smiles whenever I see her. I don’t know if that’s encouragement from her to run or not, but, that’s the way I take it.
5. Will you accept PAC money? Why or why not?
Yes. I’ll accept YOUR money, too, by the way.
Chet Edwards received half of his funding in PAC money in the last election cycle. He is the incumbent and it will take money to defeat him. That is just a fact in politics.
Add to that the fact that I’m an average person of average financial means and I will make no apologies about using every available resource at my disposal to help end the destructive leadership in Washington.
The hidden question behind that question is “from which PAC’s will you accept or not accept donations?” If a PAC wants to donate, my campaign staff and I will thoroughly investigate the PAC and it’s mission and beliefs before accepting the money. The PAC must believe as the 17th District believes in all areas, or their money is no good.
Most PACs and lobbyists will not donate to my campaign because I am beholden to you, not them. They want to buy influence, and they know with me it is not for sale.
6. How do you label yourself politically?
I’m a Reagan Conservative, in the vein of our founding fathers. I believe that you cannot separate values from conservatism, and good governance. The effort to separate our common values from government has only created a government increasingly hostile to our values – and to us.
America needs leaders who will respect the shared values of her citizens. I’m a full-triad Conservative meaning that I fully embrace all three legs of the Reagan Republican platform:
1. National Security
2. Community Values
3. Fiscal Conservatism.
I support free markets and capitalism. I’m an unabashed Capitalist and Conservative. Do not vote for me if you want more socialism controlling your lives from Washington. I prefer the freedom to excel and do great things, making America great in the process.
As Texans, you and I dare to be great, and THAT is why I ask for your support and vote.
7. Where are you on the political spectrum?
I am The Conservative Candidate in this election.
Nobody in the primary or in the general election is more enthusiastically and consistently conservative.
I am a proud capitalist. I believe in profit. Honest work SHOULD be rewarded.
I am a proud Conservative. I believe in the Reagan Revolution.
I am a proud American. I proudly served my nation before and I am ready to step up and serve again.
I am not ashamed of my views. Conservative ideas are better for America. Conservatism works every time it is tried. I will proudly stand up for your values. I will not say one thing here and do something or be somebody else in Washington.
8. Do you plan to seek higher office?
No. I expect that being your Congressman will be the highlight and pinnacle of my political career.
I suppose that other opportunities could someday present themselves, but at this time, running for Congress is the most ambitious political aspiration I’ve ever imagined. And if Chet Edwards were representing us, I would not have aspired even to this position.
9. What is the first bill you will introduce?
America should be a nation of savers instead of borrowers and spenders. The FairTax would encourage savings and remove from Washington its largest source of lobby influence: the tax code.
I would support the FairTax as a first step to reforming government. My first act as your new Congressman will be to add my name to the list of co-sponsors of the FairTax.
10. What is the most important thing in your life?
My God. My Nation. My Family.
11. What is the major difference between you and your opponent?
I am a Conservative, and Chet Edwards is not.
You can’t vote with Nancy Pelosi and Barney Frank 96% of the time, as Chet Edwards did in the last Congress, and still credibly represent yourself as “moderate” or “independent”.
I’m a Reagan Conservative from Texas. Unlike our current Congressman, I will consistently vote AGAINST the agenda of the current San Fran “latte liberal” leadership. I will pave the way for a change in government that will better reflect, support, and promote the values of this district. That change in government starts in the House.
We have a rare and wonderful opportunity in the 17th district. We sit in the most conservative district in the entire nation that has a liberal democrat in office. We can stop this leadership in Washington. YOU CAN. It will take 40 seats to change the leadership of the House and we have an opportunity to make a REAL difference in what will be a critical district to make that happen. Change 40 seats and we change the House, and with it, this government. THIS is the first seat.
12. Why are you a better Representative than your opponent?
I am a Conservative, and Chet Edwards is not.
I will not support the current leadership in Washington. That leadership, with Edwards’ support, will bring up Socialized Health Care, the Freedom of Choice Act to kill babies in the womb, Gun Control, Card Check, Mulit-Trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see, the Fairness Doctrine, and countless other far left goals to take away our freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.
No matter how Edwards votes on these issues individually, he supports the leadership that will bring them up.
To end that leadership’s ability to bring up these issues, we must remove from Congress its key supporters. Chet Edwards is a key supporter of the current leadership in Washington. He voted for Nancy Pelosi to be Speaker, and then supported her agenda 96% of the time. I would call that “key support”. He was vetted as a potential running mate for Mr. Obama. I call that a loyal liberal.
From October 2008 to March 2009, Congress voted in favor of a jaw-dropping SIX TRILLION DOLLARS in new government spending. Chet Edwards voted for every single penny of it. I will not. He has shown that he will vote with the current liberal, Constitution-ignoring leadership in Washington 96% of the time. I will not.
13. What role does religion play in your life?
I’m a member of the Church of Christ. My uncle was an old-fashioned COC preacher, if you understand what that means. That’s how I was raised.
My personal definition of religion is best expressed in Acts 17: 24-28, NIV “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ “
I believe in God. I believe in Jesus. I believe in the Holy Spirit. Jesus is my personal Savior.
The question behind that question is
14. How will your religious beliefs affect the way you govern?
Simple: I am a Christian man who sins every day. An oath is not to be taken lightly and I stand by that. Though a Christian, I am not running as a Christian; I am running as an American. A Christian’s guidebook is the Bible; an American’s guidebook is the Constitution. By electing me, you will send an American who will govern the country by the Constitution and governs his life by The Bible.
Matthew 22:21 says, “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”
In Christ’s time on earth, Caesar was the Government. Today, We The People are the Government. I will render unto us, The People, that which is ours: An unequivocally defended Constitution as all Americans are obligated to defend and protect regardless of their faith.
15. Are you pro-life or pro-choice?
Strongly Pro-life. There is no other choice.
16. Will you release your personal income tax returns?
Yes. I will release them at the beginning of 2010.
17. Will you vote your conscience or your constituency’s?
My constituency’s.
I expect my conscience to be the same as the vast majority of District 17. I am running because I believe that conservative ideas best represent the views of this community. I have seen this first-hand in the thousands of miles I have traveled up and down this District since February of 2009.
Any move away from the liberal voting habits of Chet Edwards would be an improvement in voting consistent with the values and principles of District 17. Chet Edwards voted with the liberal Democrat agenda – and against the values of this district – 96% of the time in the last Congress.
Maxine Waters, liberal Democrat from Los Angeles, voted less consistently with her party than Chet Edwards. That’s should say it all.
Remember, Maxine Waters wants to Socialize the Oil Industry: Click Here.
Do you want someone who has voted Liberal more times than Maxine Waters to be representing us? Well, that person is Chet Edwards. He does not represent the conscience of his constituency!
My conscience and my constituency will be far more in alignment than has been the case with Chet Edwards. But if there is a difference, I will vote your conscience, not mine.
18. Will you debate your opponent? How often?
Yes. Conservative ideas are better for America and are clearly favored in this district. THAT is why Edwards says one thing here, and votes differently in Washington. My views are consistent with this district. I’m not afraid to run on how I will actually vote in Washington. I won’t feel the need, as Edwards does, to constantly rationalize why my votes and this district’s values are so often in conflict.
I am willing to debate Mr. Edwards as often as he wishes. I challenge him to one debate in each county during the General Election between March and October of 2010.