I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.
WOW – isn’t it great when you are honored? Last Sunday at church, there was an elderly man and woman in front of me – he was using a walker and they were moving slowly. I was pondering how to jet around them so I could open the door for them.
Then bam – when we were close to the door – both doors were swung open wide and two people with smiles greeted the couple and welcomed them inside. My heart was so happy – those two were honored. Regardless of ability – they were honored – what a great thing for us to see people and not circumstances, to see humans and not homeless or elderly or crippled.
 I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.
You know, our country has come a long way – but we must not rest in how far we have come – we need to be aware of how far we have yet to go. All races. All creeds. All people groups. How much longer before our country can say the barriers are gone and we embrace the people of our land?
I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.
Where else can you go – what other nation would allow you to have the financial prosperity of this land? Today I was talking to Ben, he owns the nail salon here in Napa called Pro-Nails. He came to this country from Viet-Nam. He learned our language. He became a citizen. He became a licensed cosmetologist. He worked for another shop and saved every penny. Then – one day – he opened his own shop in Napa. I have been going there for 10 years now – every 3 weeks. Ben is there – Ben works every day.
He has a few shops now – and he has struggled. He has made mistakes – he does not say he is perfect or a hero – but I do – I say Ben – you are a hero.
You are the embodiment of everything America stands for – you are legal. You are a business owner. You have a family and you are a worker.
That is what America offers the rest of the world – we offer hope when there is none. We offer a way to live and give. We are the land of the free and everyone wants to come here for that very reason.
 I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.
This is what I discuss on my page titled TAXES – here is the thing – we work hard. You and I work day in and out. We work hard. We do not sit home and eat bon-bons all day and watch soap operas – no – we work – we coach little league for our kids – we volunteer at the clubs and we host charity events for the homeless shelters – we are Americans.
And we give back. We give to our churches and synagogues and temples – we give cash and sweat and we labor every day to make our country better, bigger and more beautiful.
Stop the taxation. Stop layering it on and on and on. We cannot breathe. When the people are taxed over and over on their wages – incentive is lost. They feel beaten down and depressed – we become introspective and stop looking outward to help the community – instead we are focused inward on our own way to live. To be others-focused we must be strong and whole at home.
When we are taxed and taxed – we are not strong at home. Stop the taxing! Slow down – think and breathe.
Sure – some tax is inevitable and necessary – just think before throwing more taxes on hard working people. That is what I believe.
 I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations, and that the best government is that which governs least.
Oh yes – I can write a book on this statement – well – ok – books have already been written on this statement. Maybe I can copy them – smile
Here is the thing – we do not need the government telling the churches what to pay the pianist that plays on Sunday. It is a ministry and the gifted pianist plays out of compassion and from their heart.
I know this for sure – I led worship at church – I have worked with a lot of piano players – what gracious and lovely people they are!
Why would the government get involved? Well, in some states, they have. This is crazy stuff to me. That is what this belief is about – the best government governs the least. If we do not need that law – then why write it?
 I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.
OK – more books have been written on this than you can imagine – here is the thing – I believe in the 10th Amendment. This is not a trick – ok – that is about the sovereignty of the Nation and States.
In this – I am a huge fan – wow – huge! I do not want the US to dictate what my state should and should not do – what does DC know about California? What does Virginia know about Wyoming?
There is a reason for this – we need the sovereignty of the states – each state makes its own laws and governs itself.
Same with the counties – they are ruled by the County Board of Supervisors – I love this system. Same with the cities – there the Mayor’s have the rule along with the City Council. Now isn’t this a great plan?
Why meddle? Why should I push my opinion on the city or county? They elect their leaders and that should be the end of the story.
Unfortunately – it is not – but it should be and there – that is my belief. I love our cities and I love our counties and I love the leadership they give to their areas and I will not step on those toes – I will work diligently to respect those sovereign rights!
 I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.
This world and country are changing and advancing every day – in good ways. Technology is driving us to new arenas and knowledge is doubling every year. We need to embrace the things that we can use to make us better, smarter and more competitive.
This is exactly where education fits in – we need a cutting-edge education system that trains students to be competitive in the new marketplaces of the world. We are a global economy and a multi-language based society. The quicker we embrace that and claim it as gospel – the quicker we can turn the tide on declining student intelligence.
 I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.
Coming back to the most basic of truths for civilized society – we can and must work for peace. War can and has been necessary to preserve our freedom – but it is used quickly and harshly at times.
Prevention is 100% better than interaction. Offense is 100% better than defense. There are so many ways to keep our country safe – securing our borders, metal detectors, dogs that sniff out bombs, all of these and more are measures that keep our country safe.
For years – we let down our guard. We said that nobody would come onto our soil and declare war. Well – they did. And here we are – shoring up our borders and making our country safe again.
It is expensive to be on the offense but in the end, it pays off. If you do not believe that – ask the Dallas Cowboys with all those Super Bowl Rings!
FINALLY, I BELIEVE that Doris Genry is the best candidate for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.
Elect Doris Gentry – you and this District will be glad you made that choice. |
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