Issues In Focus
Fiscal Responsibility – We need leaders who are willing to tell the truth and acknowledge that past practices and past fiscal irresponsibility have led the country to its current condition. We cannot begin to fix our broken budgets and broken government without first acknowledging there is a problem. Our economy is large enough to pay for the services we really need – healthcare, national defense, care for the elderly, education and opportunity for the next generation, protection of the environment, care for those at risk, and protection of society. Our leaders must be willing to level with the public about what we can and cannot accomplish, and must be willing to make the hard decisions.
In Congress, David will work to develop economic solutions that are fair to all Oregonians – solutions that provide for a strong and secure future for our country and state. You can be sure that David will oppose irresponsible legislation that squanders your family’s money.
Oregon Economic Development – We need leaders who are willing and able to make smart decisions to facilitate the growth of Oregon’s economy. Oregon’s economy must grow both well paying blue-collar jobs and white-collar jobs to compete effectively in the new world economy. We need employers and industries that protect, reinforce, and align with Oregon’s lifestyles and commitment to sustainable environmental practices. We need to attract industries and employers that will hire Oregonians for jobs at all levels, including their high-paying jobs.
David will work to develop programs and relationships that strengthen our ties with all of our Pacific Rim trading partners so that Oregon once again can be a manufacturing and economic powerhouse that provides good living-wage jobs to our citizens.
Enhancing Education – To compete effectively in this new global business environment and to maintain our standard of living, Oregon requires a world-class education system. We can no longer afford to have an education system that is ranked near the bottom of the list. We must make the investments in our educational systems – elementary, middle, high school, community college, and university – that are required to produce graduates industry wants to and needs to employ. We must have elementary and high school systems that produce graduates who are ready to move into jobs or college immediately after graduation. We need a strong community college system that prepares graduates for university or for high-paying technical jobs. And we must have a university system that is ranked nationally and produces the top-quality graduates that attracts industries with high-paying jobs to Oregon.
David will work to ensure our elementary and high schools provide a first in the world education to our children. As an educator himself, David strongly opposes education policies that do not respect the valuable efforts and contributions of our dedicated educators. David will work to bring the research programs that support strong academic programs to Oregon universities. These programs support vibrant technology jobs in our communities.
Energy Independence – Energy independence is both an environmental issue and a national security issue. We must be a leader in green energy research, development, and deployment. Energy independence is not LNG; it is a system of energy production that does not negatively impact our environment and does not make us dependent on foreign suppliers.
David is a full supporter of Oregon’s green energy initiatives. He will continue to work with state and national leaders to leverage Oregon’s expertise in energy innovation for a strong, secure, and independent future for our country.
Environmental Protection – Oregon is a national leader and a world leader in environmental protection. We must continue to focus on environmental protection and enhance protection measures, enforcement, and compliance. We cannot tolerate industries that disrespect our environment and our health. The new jobs and industries that are brought to Oregon through new university research programs and economic development efforts will adhere to our progressive environmental protections.
David will be a strong Oregon voice for environmental protection in nation’s capital. He will push legislation that provides protections for us and our children – legislation that reduces mercury poisoning in our fish, requires polluters to clean-up their messes, and provides strong penalty enforcement against polluters.
Securing Our Children’s Future – Oregon needs elected leaders who are committed to the goal of NOT mortgaging our children’s future. We must invest in our children . If we continue to spend their earnings now, before they even earn those wages, they will never have the chance to succeed or have the jobs that allow them to earn the wages that will provide for a standard of living equal to or greater than ours. We must stop mortgaging our children’s future!
David will provide the strong and real leadership that is required to prevent a return to the failed policies of the past. With David as our representative in Congress, you can be sure your our interests are served for today and tomorrow.
Caring for Seniors – The measure of any society is how well it cares for those in most need. We cannot be a society that allows our seniors to fend for themselves in the twilight of their lives. Caring for our seniors is a national responsibility. We must continue to support and enact policies that provide and support a good quality of life for our senior citizens.
David is committed to a caring and compassionate America. With David in Washington DC, you can be sure the services that you and your parents rely on for a safe, healthy, and secure life are protected from those who would rob you and us.
Oregon Water – It is vital to understand that Oregon’s First Congressional District is extremely dependent, intertwined, and ultimately responsible as stewards for three of Oregon’s major waterways - the Pacific Ocean, Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Oregon faces many threats to its water, and these threats are not just to the water quality. Other states are actively looking to take Oregon’s water supply. We need to actively work to protect our water supplies from those States that would take our water. As always, we must be a regional leader and formulate a regional strategy that protects our water. Water is not just an environmental issue – it is an Oregon economic issue. Our high-tech industries rely on an adequate supply of clean water to provide jobs to Oregonians. If our water is taken out of state, our industries will suffer, and Oregonians will pay dearly.
David will actively champion legislation to protect Oregon water from those who would try to take it from us. David will make sure that Oregonians and Oregon businesses keep the water they need to provide jobs and economic development. David will make sure green Oregon remains green and our high-tech jobs remain in Oregon.
Elected Official’s Responsibility and Responsiveness – Our elected leaders are responsible to us, the people who elected them. Our leaders should actively and routinely interact with their constituents. They should be responsive to our policy concerns and attentively listen to our ideas.
David’s promise to you is that he will travel to Washington DC to represent your interests and that he will always listen to you. While David will represent our interests in Washington DC, his home, life and heart will remain here and your issues will be his issues. David will remain interested in your issues and responsive to your concerns.
