The all important question . . . why did I decide to run for Congress, not having ever been involved in politics in the past, or associated with any political party?  I guess you could categorize me as a conservative, although I do believe in helping others.  It’s just that the majority of the time when I see the government try to help people, it’s typically done inefficiently, incorrectly or at best, in some sort of hap-hazard manner.  So, when the government steps in to help people, it is usually inefficient and often creates other problems.  But, back to the basic question . . . why did I decide to run for Congress?  I will answer this in detail in the next blog.

As I promised, I want to talk about six things that I feel are important for us to do.  First, is honor.  We need to restore honor to the campaign process and to the way in which we govern.  Our elected officials need to honor us, the people, in every decision that they make.  Their decision should be based upon what is best for the people and what is best for the country.  This is the promise I make to you.  Every decision I make as your Congressman will be based upon what is best for you the people and this country, not a political party, special interest group, political action committee or to gain political favors.  We also need to restore honor to the campaign process.  Mud-slinging and negative political ads need to cease.  I will do neither.  We need to stop voting for the candidate who spends the most money for T.V. ads in the week prior to the election.  I’ve been recently told by people who are politically savvy, that the only way I have a chance of winning this election is to produce massive amounts of political T.V. ads the week before the election.  I was told that the average voter doesn’t know who he or she is going to vote for until three to seven days prior to voting and that their decision is based upon who they think has the best T.V. ads.   This is why it takes so much money to run for Congress and this has corrupted our campaign process.  It angered me to hear this and you can call me naïve, but I believe in the American people and I know that if you will stand with me, support me and vote for me, we can end this corruption.  We have a chance beginning on Nov. 2^nd to prove this by electing and sending me to Congress this year.  Help me to send a clear message to those who have created this system that we, the people, are here to take our country back.  And, that our political offices are no longer for sale. 

Number 2, we need transparency in the accounting procedures of our government.  The government needs to balance its books just like we do, and set a timeframe in which to do this.  Our government must live within its means, just like you and I have to.  And it needs to state what their unfunded obligations are and where they are, and set a timeframe to correct them. 

Number 3, we need to simplify the federal income tax code, beginning with a flat tax for personal income. 

Number 4, we need to increase our infrastructure investment.  This is our foundation.  Approximately 30% of our country’s bridges and structures have become inferior.  Since the 1970’s, our infrastructure investment has only been at one-half the rate of our GDP growth.  We could begin this immediately.   Rebuilding our infrastructure and transportation systems would create immediate jobs that are sorely needed.  We should have done this in the past couple of years instead of bail-outs for banks and Wall Street. 

Number 5, we need to create incentives and opportunities for small business starts and growth.  Small businesses are the engine of our economy, providing nearly 70% of all job creation.  We need to lower taxes for small businesses and give incentives to allow them to purchase capital investment items such as computers, tools and equipment.  This is desperately needed. 

Number 6, we must secure our borders.  This is a matter of national security.  We can secure our borders, and at the same time, reform our immigration laws.  It’s in our best interest to help legal guest workers to become legal, tax-paying citizens.  We attract the best and the brightest from all around the world, and we want to continue to do so.  But, they must come here legally.  The problem is that for many of them who do come here legally, the process of gaining citizenship has become extremely complicated.  I know this from experience, because my Wife and I sponsored a family from South Africa many years ago.  The process was so cumbersome and complicated that an Attorney had to be hired and it cost tens of thousands of dollars and took many years.  We are known as the great “melting pot” of society and immigration must be done legally, but also fairly.

That’s all for now.   I’ll be in Columbia tomorrow evening meeting with the “Campaign for Liberty” group.  In the next blog, I will explain why I decided to run for Congress.

Thanks for your support and prayers, Marc