Mike Fitzpatrick | On the Issues

Jobs
Government does not create jobs. Free enterprise, business, industry and entrepreneurs do. I prefer to expand employment opportunities by eliminating unnecessary, unwieldy government regulation and reduce taxes, which allow small businesses to invest, grow and create family-sustaining jobs. We must create an environment that allows American business to compete freely in the marketplace and we need to reverse the trend of outsourcing jobs to foreign countries.

Debts and Deficits
Federal spending is out of control. It is imperative that we reduce the burgeoning federal deficit and our national debt by reducing the size and scope of the federal government. Astronomical debt is not the legacy we want for future generations. It is far more responsible to stop further expansion of the role of government in our daily lives and work to reduce some of our current obligations.

Health Care
Because I want to protect the quality of care we have in our country, I oppose any legislation that puts government between patients and their doctors. We all know changes are needed in our health care system; changes such as tort reform, the elimination of “junk lawsuits” that drive up costs, and the right to purchase insurance across state lines. Health insurance should belong to the individual and be completely portable across the country. The self-employed should enjoy the same tax benefits as large companies when they purchase insurance for themselves and their families. Instead of expanding the role of government in our healthcare decisions, we need to promote free market solutions that allow individuals more choices, which will drive costs down.

National Security
Every nation on earth has the right to defend itself. The United States is no exception. Our enemies closely watch our actions in the world and look for weakness. I believe that a strong America helps keep the peace. When our nation decides to send its troops in to harms way I believe that our military leaders in the field should decide policy, rather than politicians in Washington. I believe that when America makes a commitment, we follow through with it and bring our troops home as soon as possible.

Energy Independence
I support a balanced national energy policy that includes safe, nuclear power, clean coal, responsible offshore drilling and economical, renewable energy. I would champion development of Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale with its clean-burning, natural gas resource and the new jobs it would bring to our state. While we should encourage development of clean energy and decrease our dependence on foreign oil, I oppose legislation currently being considered by congress that would implement a carbon "cap and trade" system.

Right to Bear Arms
The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the fundamental individual right of American citizens to keep and bear arms. I support responsible gun ownership as a basic and undeniable right guaranteed by the Constitution.

Immigration and Border Security
As the grandson of Irish immigrants, I know that legal immigration is a source of pride to all those who came to America in search of a better life. Those humble immigrants from around the world contributed to the unique greatness of our country. However, those who take their first step into the United States illegally trample our laws and no one is exempt from obeying the law. It is vital that we strengthen and protect our borders as well as enforce the immigration laws already on the books.

Labor
I will not support “card check” legislation, also known as the Employee Free Choice Act, because it denies workers the right to a secret ballot, which is inherent in our system of government.

Veterans
Those who have served our nation in the military deserve our full support and all the benefits they have been promised. The contract with our men and women who have worn the uniform includes quality healthcare, access to Tricare, educational opportunities and fair compensation. I am proud of my record of support for veterans and am fully prepared to fight for their rights once again.

Seniors
Our seniors have contributed to their communities throughout their working lives, hoping to enjoy the benefits of retirement and the peace of mind they deserve. We must make sure Medicare and Social Security are solvent. I am committed to making improvements that will help sustain these programs in the future so that we can keep the promise to our nation’s seniors.

Medicare
I will work to restore $500 Billion in cuts to Medicare recently approved by Congress as part of healthcare “reform” and make certain that seniors have options when it comes to their healthcare. Current Medicare policies are hurting physicians and limiting access. More and more doctors are refusing to see Medicare patients because the system fails to compensate them fairly. We cannot allow short-term fixes to affect the long-term care of seniors.

Medicare can be strengthened and we can help keep the promise to our nation’s seniors by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in the system. Tens of billions of dollars can be saved by implementing technology that verifies payments before they are made. I support front-end verification technology to protect seniors from those who would cheat the system of their benefits.

Social Security
Social Security is a promise made to those who have paid in to the system. We as a nation need to keep our promise. Privatization, raising the retirement age or increasing taxes threaten that promise. I am opposed to privatizing Social Security.

Recent reports show that Social Security could be insolvent within a few decades. As early as 2016, more benefits will be paid out than collected in taxes. Disastrous policies from Washington have caused our deficits to soar and unemployment to sky-rocket. The damage done by Congress and the administration to our economy is further harming Social Security.

When elected, I will support policies that reduce the deficit and create jobs. With our economy back on track we can begin to look for meaningful reforms to Social Security that protect the promises we have already made.