I believe that every person has the right to expect a clear and concise understanding of where their Representative stands on the issues of the day, and that he has a responsibility to report his position on those issues, regardless of party affiliation or political ideology. The position statement should be more than a simple statement using the catch phrase of the day (e.g., "I am pro-life").  While such a statement may be fine for a sound bite, the public deserves a deeper explanation of how their Representative has reached that conclusion; it is this deeper explanation that truly allows the public to understand not only why the representative holds that one position, but also how the representative logically develops his positions. From these descriptions, constituents can get a much better idea of who the candidate really is. This section of the website is dedicated to explaining my positions on various issues of the day. 

The list of issues will grow during the campaign as we formalize our statements. The issues appearing on this site are not necessarily what we feel are most important. Rather the appearance of issues are based on a combination of what we have been explicitly asked about, what we believe are important topics facing the country, and what were topics that could be addressed quickly and posted. Some of the bigger issues require additional time to properly address in a official post and these are under creation at present.

Unlike some politicians, I do not believe that I am aware of every single issue and perspective or that I am incapable of error. I am willing to admit that I am human and have limitations. As such, I am always willing to enter into a dialog with an open mind in order to discuss any of these issues and to learn new information that I can then use to refine my positions according to my principles.  I encourage you to write to our campaign team, either through the Liberty Forum or through our contacts page to let us know your thoughts and concerns. Yet, while my positions may be refined through this process, my principles are much more fundamental. These are the concepts that you will see repeated over and over again on my website and in the questionnaires that I have filled out for 912Candidates.org and the Independence Caucus. Principles do not easily change.

I ask you to hold every political candidate, including myself, accountable to their principles and their positions, using a similar philosophy. Be willing to consider revisions in their positions, if, and only if, a reasonable explanation is provided as to why their position changed. But be skeptical of politicians who change or appear to contradict the principles that they ascribe to. 

If we all commit to do these things, perhaps we can restore trust in the political arena once again.  And one more thing--please be willing to look at your own assumptions and positions with an open mind.  One of the most important needs in American politics today is for voters to set aside the dogmatic left vs. right perspective that dominates the political media environment.  The battle is more about the powerful vs. the citizens for control of our government.  The left-right view is one way the powerful have thwarted we the people in the past.

No longer.  We must transcend the left vs. right view.  If we don't, we will reinforce narrowness in Washington, and 90% of incumbents will continue to be elected only because they have a D or an R after their name.

Complex social issues need the best thinking from principled people across the ideological spectrum.  Specific challenges at specific times require specific solutions, and a narrow partisan viewpoint will be ineffective and expensive.  That is why the grassroots movement and the use of all social media to engage one another has so much promise for improving democracy today.  That is why I am confident in our future together.