Returning to fiscal responsibility is integral to salvaging the declining value of our dollar and the American way of life as we know it. Curbing deficit spending, reducing our long national debt, and balancing the budget are some of the common sense solutions to the economic problems that plague our working families today.

Investing in our own infrastructure is of utmost importance to GROW the middle class. As your congressman, I will fight to bring jobs and improved infrastructure in our district.

Also, RELIEF from soaring gasoline costs is imperative. WE MUST DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to keep the American people from being taken advantage of by big oil companies. As your congressman, I will fight to stop spending YOUR tax dollars on subsidies to the big oil companies that post record profits while the people suffer.

Nothing is more important to the future of America than the strength of our education system. From early childhood to post graduate work, public education MUST be accessible, of high quality, and financially possible for ALL.

As your congressman, I will fight to ensure that Pell Grants and other kinds of financial aid for students are protected. I will also work closely with state and local governments to strengthen our public schools.

NATIONAL SECURITY

As your congressman I will fight YOUR safety. I will sponsor and/or support legislation that will enact the recommendations of the 911 Commission.

I believe we must a better job of ensuring that our borders, our energy producing facilities, ports, and other sensitive facilities are secured against attack.

I strongly support the constitutional right to bear arms that our founding fathers intended we have.

I am an outdoor enthusiast and enjoy hunting with MY OWN hunting rifles. I also believe that we have an absolute right to use reasonable force to protect ourselves from deadly harm.

I believe a change in direction with regard to Iraq is essential. We can’t afford the costs of 5 more years of war in Iraq. We need a comprehensive strategy to exit Iraq with honor and focus our efforts on winning the war on terror.

Above all, we should never exploit the commitment our troops have made to America’s military. It is time to bring our young men and women home.

I also believe that our veterans ARE entitled to the best in heath care benefits. As your congressman I will fight to make sure that there is no shortfall of benefits to our veterans.

I will fight to improve the quality of healthcare FOR ALL, while lowering costs for working families. I support expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), which will provide affordable healthcare to tens of thousands of low and middle-income children in Alabama.

Our senior citizens have worked hard and deserve to live with dignity. As congressman, I will protect Social Security, oppose privatization, and expand in-home care programs for seniors.