Issues
I am running for Congress to fight for the future of my home, to bring economic opportunity back and to serve the people of Southeastern Missouri. As a soldier in the United States Army, I served my country in Kosovo and in Iraq. I returned to Missouri to find my home in economic turmoil, with double-digit unemployment and a disappearing way of life. I believe in the future of Southeast Missouri and it is my duty to fight for it.
JOBS
In the last fifteen years, my home has lost hundreds of factories and tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs and is eighth poorest district in the country. Every politician promises jobs, but we have a plan:
Bring 21st Century infrastructure to Southeast Missouri
I had better cell phone reception abroad in Baghdad than we do in many parts of the Eighth District. We need new cell towers and improved broadband Internet. 21st century infrastructure will help set the conditions to restore jobs and economic opportunity to Southeastern Missouri.
Renegotiate so-called “free trade” agreements
Trade agreements like CAFTA that Jo Ann Emerson supported have caused our manufacturing base to largely disappear in 15 years and are certainly not “free”. Most of our small towns have empty factories whose jobs were sent to Asia or Central America. We have something everyone in the world wants: access to the American consumer, and we shouldn’t give that to the lowest bidder. In Congress, I will fight to bring back the lost jobs by renegotiating these trade agreements to level the playing field for us.
Reform the financial system to benefit our small community banksCommunity banks are the lifeblood of our rural communities, and shouldn’t be punished for the crimes of Wall Street. By changing the outdated laws on assessing banking risk, we can help restore credit to our small communities and help small businesses thrive.
No more bailouts
The big banks that Jo Ann Emerson bailed out with our taxpayer dollars should not continue to prosper at our expense. The people who live in Missouri’s Eighth should not pay for the mistakes that Wall Street makes. Instead, we need to punish those who committed the crime: if Wall Street wants another bailout, they’ll have to fund it themselves.
CONGRESSIONAL REFORM
The current Congress is the longest serving in history. When I taught the Constitution at West Point, I explained to my students that the Founding Fathers were wary of government by kings, dukes and duchesses where power was simply passed within a tight group of families and relationships. Our Founders never dreamed of a class of professional politicians, whose every passing year in office makes them harder to unseat due to the campaign funds and favors they amass.
Institute limits on Congress
Congress should have term limits, just like the President: six terms for the house and two for the Senate. Congress should not be able to raise its own pay when the rest of the country is facing economic hardship. I get my healthcare from the VA, and Congress should have no better healthcare than our fighting men and women.
Limit campaign timelines
Elections need to be fairer and incumbents in Washington should have to fight for every reelection. By limiting the time for campaigns and fundraising, we can make sure that incumbents spend their time doing the people’s business and not waging a perpetual reelection campaign.
DEFENSE
The current Congress also has the lowest number of veterans since World War II yet we are Congress must also take back the power over war from the President, their Constitutional duty that they no longer seem interested in fulfilling.
The U.S. Army's Field Manual states, "every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive and attainable objective." Our nation cannot accomplish our objectives in Afghanistan without a commitment of billions of dollars and a permanent growth of our military. We need to bring our conventional troops home and combat terrorism with smarter, more cost-effective methods.
Veterans care
Our veterans deserve the best our country can offer. Our men and women who fight for us overseas should be able to return home and make a living for themselves and their families. In Congress, I’ll have a laser-focus on bringing jobs back to my district, so veterans do not need to leave their home to find work.
IMMIGRATION
Immigration is a national security issue. We should provide incentives for immigrants to come to the United States legally.
Secure the border
Congress has failed to address the most important issue in the debate: securing the border. 50 years ago we put a man on the moon, and now we can’t seem to build a fence.
Workplace enforcement
We need workplace enforcement with teeth and disincentives for businesses hiring illegal workers. We should promote American labor whenever possible.
DEBT
Both Republican and Democratic Congresses have led us from surplus to massive deficits over the last 14 years.
Pass a balanced budget amendment
Members of both parties have shown an inability to contain their reckless spending, and they should be forced to do so.
Reduce wasteful military spending
The waste that I saw in Iraq was appalling and should not be tolerated. I will work to ensure our defense dollars are spent wisely, not shoveled into a “black box” of wasteful contracts with little to no oversight.
