Issues

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In addition to ideas and accountability, the emphasis of the Moore for Congress campaign is Stewardship - Renewing the American Spirit.

Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. It is time for governments, nongovernmental organizations and each citizen to adopt a mindset of stewardship of resources, including money, abilities, talents, people and the environment. Our current social, economic, and environmental problems are due, in large part, to selfishness, greed and other irresponsible actions. The federal government, and in particular Congress, must lead the way by modeling stewardship over the resources and responsibilities entrusted to it by the people. To begin this process of restoring responsible stewardship, we must focus on doing the following, in order of priority:

• Establish a fiscally realistic, balanced and sustainable budget that keeps revenues and expenditures in line without needlessly raising taxes, and which eventually retires federal debt. A key part of that process requires the examination of all federal programs to determine the purpose of the program, whether that purpose is proper for the federal government to pursue and if it is producing the desired result. Until this process is completed:
  • Total federal expenditures must be frozen.
  • No new taxes and no increases in current federal taxes.
  • Funding increases for an existing or new program must come from reduction of funds from or elimination of another program.
• Establish a bipartisan commission to recommend reform to health care.
  • Model should be a consumer-choice system like that used for members of Congress. This health exchange system would allow individuals and families to choose the best private plan for them and allow portability.
  • There cannot be a "public" or government plan. This would undermine health insurance coverage currently enjoyed by millions of Americans.
  • Allow each state flexibility to implement such a system and accomplish its objectives.
  • As part of this process, the Commission would also recommend reforms to Medicare and Medicaid.
  • Health care reform must be based on ensuring sufficient revenue is provided to sustain the programs without running up the deficit.
  • A key to health care reform is to ensure integrated primary care.
• Establish a bipartisan "entitlement" reform commission to examine Social Security and develop long-term solutions to ensure that benefits are supported by sufficient revenue through the years.
  • Such a commission should explore how to keep the nation's commitment to current retirees, but explore options for future retirees.
  • Congress would have to give an up or down vote on the proposal submitted by the commission.
• Improve national security.
  • Sustain our military forces' ability to defend us.
    • Ensure adequate funding for ongoing operations.
    • Maintain and increase a trained and ready all-volunteer force.
    • Fundamentally reforming manpower and procurement policies.
    • Providing promised and improved benefits to those who have served in the military forces of this country.
    • Prepare for future challenges and conflicts.
  • Safeguard our southern border.
    • Enhancing border security with Mexico.
    • Enforcing immigration and workplace laws.
    • Reforming U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to handle legal immigration better.
    • Enhancing the legal worker programs to provide legal avenues that meet the needs of employers and immigrants, providing a better option than illegal immigration.
    • Focus more attention on Central and South America. We must promote economic development and good governance in Latin America to provide potential illegal immigrants with employment opportunities at home in an environment of political stability and public safety. For example, Mexico is rapidly deteriorating, creating a great threat to the safety of our citizens.
  • Zealously pursue energy independence.
    • Develop and produce energy in a responsible manner from existing natural resources in the United States.
    • Allow drilling for oil and natural gas offshore and in Alaska.
    • Lift the ban on development of oil shale in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
    • Build more refineries.
    • Encourage new clean coal development plants.
    • Build more nuclear power plants.
    • Encourage breakthroughs in alternative energy technologies.
    • Make the solar and wind tax credits permanent.
    • Offer a series of prizes to accelerate development of alternative energy sources.