America was founded on an idea. The seed of that idea can be expressed in just one statement.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
My positions flow from that statement.
I. There is an authority higher than the government, and the rights of the individual come from that authority.
http://pegluksik.com/2009/06/higher-authority/
II. There are inalienable rights.
LIFE
I believe in the sanctity of every human life from conception until natural death, and support a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution.
http://pegluksik.com/2009/07/wooden-bowls-and-broken-hips/
I oppose embryonic stem cell research, and support ethical research into adult stem cells.
I oppose any health care “reform” that results in rationed care for seniors, the disabled, or any other group of citizens.
http://pegluksik.com/2009/07/wooden-bowls-and-broken-hips/
I support the traditional definition of marriage as the union between one man and one woman.
LIBERTY
I support the Second Amendment because citizens have the right to defend themselves against aggression.
I support closing the borders and enforcing immigration laws because liberty must begin with law.
I support the right of parents to direct the education of their children without financial or regulatory penalty, including home-school and private school options.
I support a strong national defense, beginning with proper equipment and training for our troops, including investment into research and development of military technology to protect them in battle, and extending to real care for our veterans.
I oppose using American troops as the world’s police force, believing that our military should only be put in harm’s way when American territory or lives are in jeopardy.
I support every effort to make America energy independent, including using all of our own natural resources and development of alternative sources of energy.
I oppose any treaty or organization that seeks to undermine America’s sovereignty or weaken our Constitution.
I support making English the official language of the United States.
I oppose judicial activism, believing that judges should follow the Constitution, not re-write it.
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
I believe that “pursuit of happiness” does not mean “guarantee of happiness”.
I oppose government programs that seek to redistribute wealth from those who earn it to those who want it.
I oppose government bail-outs.
I support a requirement that all federal government officials comply with all rules and regulations they pass.
I support policies that promote fair trade in the international marketplace, so American business can compete on a level playing field.
http://pegluksik.com/2009/06/i-win/
I support auditing the Federal Reserve.
I support a total revamping of the federal tax codes to make them simpler and fairer.
I support ending all secret earmarks. Every appropriation needs to be on the books and voted upon on the record.
I oppose the death tax.
III. The consent of the governed is required.
I support the provisions of the Tenth Amendment, under which the authority of the federal government is limited to the specific areas outlined in the Constitution. For all other areas, authority and responsibility should rest with the state or local governments so citizens can interact meaningfully and effectively with their representatives. Therefore, programs such as education, energy, and welfare, to name a few, should be conducted by the separate states, and not centralized in Washington.
http://pegluksik.com/2009/05/climbing-down-the-ladder-of-success/
