The shock of the subprime mortgage collapse in the Fall of 2008 has initiated a severe contraction of the economy. I believe that the Obama Administration's ideology merely exacerbates the problem, most notably in the job market. Without substantial market-oriented initiatives, including a cut in capital gains and business taxes, the current downturn could be prolonged for a decade, as happened in Japan during the 1990s. In addition to tax relief I am calling for an immediate legislated 10 % reduction (see "My Plan") of the civilian federal workforce. It is egregious that as people in the private sector lose their jobs, government continues to bloat. If we must do more with less, so should they, as our employees.

The healthcare debate represents a fundamental ideological divide between defenders of the free market and proponents of state control. The former recognize problems with healthcare in America, particularly the spiraling costs and the problem of the uninsured, and they seek to remedy the system in clear, targeted ways. The latter seek to replace healthcare in America as we know it with a government-run system. This would be damaging in many ways. First, it would not reduce costs. Second, it would ultimately place the government in the position of deciding which treatments and medicines were available and which were not. Only the very rich would be able to afford procedures and drugs outside of the government’s sanctioned ones.

And this leads to the final, and I think most crucial reason why rationed healthcare would be a disaster. It goes without saying that people want to lead longer, healthier lives. Never before has the potential of doing so been greater. Medical research is on the threshold of solving mysteries and discovering cures that will radically improve the quality and even the length of our lives. But medical research requires investment and risk. It has already been shown that the pharmaceutical industry in Europe, by virtue of government regulation and socialized medicine, has fallen well behind that of the United States and that the gap is increasing. Nothing will bring research to a screeching halt faster than replacing the hundreds of millions of consumers in America with a single, all-powerful consumer: the United States Government. If equality of access is what you desire at all cost, then choose Obamacare. If, on the other hand, you want for you and your children to live longer, then that's not the answer.

In addition to our economic difficulties, we face continued pressure from international enemies, and most notably radical Islamic fundamentalism. In addition to the safety of our homeland from terrorism, the very existence of our friend and ally Israel continues to be threatened. A nuclear Iran becomes increasingly probable every day. Should we really simply resign the world to this fate? The world has not seen a city incinerated with a nuclear bomb for 65 years. The actual event, God-forbid it should happen, will dwarf the catastrophes in Haiti and the Southeast Asian tsunami of 2004. I expect that long before the election in November, this year, the volatility of the Middle East will again be on display.

I support and applaud the efforts of President Obama to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan with the recent surge of troops. I am appalled that my opponent, James McGovern, has openly criticized the President for the troop buildup, preferring it seems to abandon - not the imperfect Afghan government - but the Afghan people, who have seen something approaching freedom for the first time arguably in history.

In October of 2009, Mohammad Reza Ali-Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour were convicted of “enmity against God” by Tehran's Revolutionary Court for their protests against the stolen Iranian elections. They were executed by hanging in January. Since then (May 7, 2010), five more protesters have been executed. The message to protesters and opponents of the regime is clear and chilling. Opposing opinions will not be tolerated. Amnesty International has openly condemned this brutal suppression of dissent. At the time of the executioins of Ali-Zamani and Rahmanipour, a White House spokesman condemned the executions as “unjust.” I call on the President to personally condemn this thuggish behavior and to consistently offer at least moral support to those who are brave enough to stand up to the Khamenei/Ahmadinejad regime. The long term stability of the Middle East depends on a change of the government in Iran. Regime change may be the only way to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power. So to support the protesters may be our best strategic course in the region. It is certainly our best moral course.

I have written on these pages under "detailed issues" various other thoughts on the problems that currently face us. I ask you to consider them and if you find yourself agreeing, come to a campaign event or contact our campaign through e-mail. I am, after all, optimistic about America. And it is just about time for morning in America again.