In balancing the need to preserve our environment and our precious environmental resources, I believe that we need to invest in alternative energy as a long-term solution to our rampant gas prices.  In the short-run, we must come to rely more heavily on American energy sources while implementing common-sense methods to reduce energy consumption.

TERRORISM
I believe that terrorism needs to be addressed in a multi-faceted manner.  A formidable and strong defense policy is needed and should be a prime concern to all Americans.  At the same time, we need to stop creating possible breeding grounds for terrorists within our homeland, as follows: Reform of our education system and our judicial system will greatly curtail the untold but very real recruiting of hundreds of dejected American teens and young adults by radicals within our own borders. 

 

On the economy, we need to encourage and promote small business development, growth, and solvency.  Also, the outcome and results of fostering and easing lending to credit worthy individuals with great ideas and solid plans will do far more good for our economy than will big government bailouts.

 

Our taxation system must promote small business and development.  People suffer and jobs are lost every time taxes go up.  Even our corporate tax rate, one of the highest in the world, has cost America hundreds of thousands of jobs as corporations set up their headquarters overseas.  We need a common sense tax policy that doesn’t hinder job growth or lead us to the double digit unemployment rates that have plagued France and many other European Union countries for decades.  These same sensible policies must be in place in order to spark and cement our global alliances.  Trade agreements such as CAFTA-DR and NAFTA have serious economic and strategic advantages that will in fact benefit Americans and America. The bottom line: The American worker must be protected. 

 

We must embrace and expand the multi-payor model for quality Health Care, while simultaneously securing the presence of patient “safety-nets” throughout Health Care delivery systems. Additionally, we must increase our support of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention techniques for all patients. Technology and Health Information platforms must gain immediate and far-reaching utilization.

 

Let us avoid partisan labels and look to do what’s right.  If we solely had elected leaders in D.C. who set aside political and/or personal agendas, our country would be much better as a whole.  That said, my philosophy tends to be conservative, as I believe the only way we can succeed properly as a nation is by teaching and promoting each and every individual to live in a manner that depicts self-reliance, self-responsibility, and self-determination of one’s own lot in life. Simply stated, I believe that education and training will always produce more success in life than will yet another short-sighted government program that does nothing to equip the individual for success in the real-world.  

 

On immigration, I believe that our laws must be respected.  At the same time, this issue needs to be dealt with realistically and in increments.  Categorically, it is of primary importance to document all who come to this country. As a point of reference, I do not support placing illegal immigrants at the head of the INS citizenship-processing line.  A balanced approach that better meets the homeland security needs of the 21^st century can be reached without rewarding acts that should be preventable and/or are deemed illegal from the onset.  

 

We must manage our environment and its precious resources with the goal of achieving effective resource-utilization. In other words, we must protect our current resources from depletion and we must use only those resources that are needed for the task at hand. Additionally, replenishment of our natural resources must be implemented when such options are available. As an example, nation-wide re-forestation efforts have produced great results and America has pursued this method of replenishment with far more success than any other nation. Undeniably, common sense measures will go a long way towards the preservation and increase of our natural resources.

 

Thanks for caring about the issues affecting our nation, our state, and Florida’s 23^rd U.S. Congressional District.

 

Take care, my friend.

 

 

Marion D. Thorpe, Jr., M.D., M.P.H.

U.S. Congressional Candidate
District 23 - Florida