Leading the Pack!

I would like to say thank you to all of the people who have contributed to my campaign. So far you have invested over $90 thousand dollars in my vision for Colorado’s future. This broad base of support from a diverse range of contributors throughout the district and state, demonstrates the appeal of our message on national security, fiscal responsibility, and individual freedom. I look forward to advancing our shared vision in the coming months as this campaign about America’s future resonates in the hearts of every Coloradan.

Emotional Voting

The news, lately, has been attributing Hillary Clinton’s recent win in New Hampshire to her welling tears and outbursts of frustration. But this just brings up the critical question: why talk about the issues if you can influence the voters through a display of emotion, however genuine it may be? Emotions have their place, certainly, but not as a deciding factor in a crucial election in our country. We should elect representatives and leaders based on their skills, their experience, and their ability to lead. To cast a vote for someone who relies on their personal appeal, charm, or sentimental displays, however, starts us down a very slippery slope. First it’s someone who shows genuine emotion in response to a question or a challenging situation. But right along this path we have two extreme options: a representative who is paralyzed by their feelings, or a guileful actor who wields them like a weapon instead of talking about the issues, and thus manipulating the voters. Neither of these possibilities bodes well for our nation. It is thus our responsibility to critically review each candidate and choose them based on what they have done in the past, have they are doing now, and what they are capable of doing in the future… and not just elect the performers. In all honesty, this goes for any election.

The Need For Energy Self-sufficiency

Africa’s largest oil producer Nigeria is the fifth largest source of oil for the US. The recent violence in the country will have a significant impact on the price of crude. National instability plagues many of the world’s major oil producing regions, adding to market volatility and higher energy costs. Therein lies the incentive for the United States to keep working towards self-sufficiency in energy production. Sure, we need to keep exploring other technologies and sources of energy, but the fact of the matter is that we will continue to be reliant on oil for a long time. We need to tap into a reliable petroleum source that will help to stabilize the market and provide a reliable supply free from regional instability.

My wife Debbi and I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year!

Ritter's California Emissions Plan

There has been a lot of talk about the most effective way to clean up the environment. Governor Bill Ritter is leading an effort to adopt California’s emissions standards. In his plan, Governor Ritter wants to set emissions standards for all new cars sold in Colorado after 2011.
The problem with the plan is that it will dramatically affect the auto-industry and consumers. Critics of the plan point out that there are virtually no vehicles in any Colorado dealer show rooms that would meet the stringent California emissions requirements. The plan will also hit consumers with an additional cost of up to $1000 per new vehicle. Furthermore the California plan calls for low-carbon fuel by 2010, which translates to an additional 4.2-6.6 cents per gallon. This plan specifically targets SUVs, which are a necessity for families, outdoors people, and other road warriors who travel in Colorado many various driving conditions.
I do not believe that this plan is in the best interest of Colorado. The American auto industry has just begun to show signs of recovery, and high gas prices already have many consumers and businesses struggling. It is not in the best interest of Colorado to implement another big government policy that puts the burden on the people. There is a lot of debate about the most effective way to clean up the environment, and I believe that we need to find a common sense scientific approach to deal with the issue, rather than another dubious big government effort. I am proud to call myself a conservationist, and I believe that we deserve clean air, water, and open spaces. I do not however believe that the best way to achieve these results is through hastily implemented big government policies.