WE MUST GET THE DEFICIT UNDER CONTROL AND GET BACK ON THE ROAD TO A BALANCED BUDGET
We must get our deficits under control and begin to reduce our national debt. Our nation has faced the worst economic recession since the Great Depression resulting in staggering job losses, home foreclosures and economic uncertainly for far too many Americans. If not ourselves, we all know friends who have suffered as a result. To combat this recession and to pay for two very expensive wars, we have been forced into deficit spending of unprecedented levels – levels that have increased our national debt to a dangerous point. We must stop the partisan bickering and immediately begin to deal with these deficits.
To effectively restore our long-term growth and economic strength, I believe real deficit control requires going big, going long and going smart. Going big means finding a minimum of $4 trillion of deficit reductions over the next ten years. Reductions of this magnitude are required in order to decrease the dangerously high ratio of national debt to our gross domestic product that exists today. In addition, we need to go long, using a long-term perspective as we structurally reform both our current expense structure and our tax code. Finally it is very important that we go smart and continue to invest in those areas that will strengthen America within the global economy. Achieving control of our deficits will require a balanced approach, one which will require all Americans to take part in a shared sacrifice. While I do not agree with all parts of the bipartisan Simpson Bowles Commission proposal, I do believe that the framework provided by this group is a constructive starting point for this critical national discussion.
I spent over 15 years investing in and growing businesses across this great country. My business background has given me a real understanding of the importance of being fiscally responsible. It is time to stop playing politics and start developing a prudent, bipartisan plan before it is too late.
The Issues
Creating 21st Century Jobs
Creating 21st Century Jobs Growing our economy and creating jobs will be my top priority when I get to Congress. There are still far too many people in Hampton Roads out of work, and countless more that are underemployed. As a lifelong businessman, … Read more
Building a 21st Century Education System
Building a 21st Century Education System Education holds the key to America’s future success. For our country to continue to succeed economically, it is imperative that we continue to out-innovate our global competitors. But we can only out-in… Read more
Growing our Small Businesses
Growing our Small Businesses America was built on the backs of small businesses, and today small businesses are still at the heart of the American workforce. In fact, the Kaufman Foundation showed that nearly all net new jobs over the last thirty years we… Read more
Honoring our Veterans
Honoring our Veterans Home to Naval Air Station Oceana, Langley Air Force Base, Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads and Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval station, Hampton Roads is blessed with a community filled with veterans who have honorabl… Read more
Congressional Reform
It’s Time to Change Congress It is time to get serious about reforming Congress. It is time to recognize that real change is requiring Members of Congress to abide by these reforms, not just hoping that they will choose to do the right thing. We nee… Read more
Military
Making sure that our military has the hardware necessary to keep America safe is a national imperative. It is also clear that given the budget deficit issues we face, there is no good rationale for moving any aircraft carrier currently home-ported in Norfo… Read more
Budget Deficit
We must get our deficits under control and begin to reduce our national debt. Our nation has faced the worst economic recession since the Great Depression resulting in staggering job losses, home foreclosures and economic uncertainly for far too many Ameri… Read more
Job Creation
We must create more and higher paying jobs in order to grow our economy and reduce the tremendous negative impacts of unemployment on our families. America's economic success in much of the 20th Century was as based on growing jobs at home. … Read more
Social Security and Medicare
We cannot break the promise we have made to our seniors. I reject the idea that these programs cannot remain strong for generations. There are intelligent ways to reduce the long-term costs of Social Security and Medicare that do not break our promise… Read more