Issues for Art Halvorson

By Arthur "Art" Halvorson

I am an authentic, constitutional conservative. Our Founding Fathers gave us a framework for these difficult times. My position on all issues goes back to what was intended by our Founders and the appropriate size of government.

I am pro-life, and I will tirelessly advocate for our children's right to life. Our founders and our constitution eloquently articulate the right to life as fundamental, God given rights. This value for life is key to our national identity. Unfortunately, racism, liberalism and misguided ignorance have eroded this protection for our children.

The Fifth Amendment states, "No person shall...be deprived of life...without due process of law." Certainly this applies to the life of an unborn child. It is unacceptable that the Obama administration, so anxious to defend the rights of illegal immigrants, terrorists and criminals, refuses to protect the weakest and most defenseless members of our society, our children.

I believe that one of our most sacred responsibilities is to defend our children's right to life, from conception until natural death. Our nation's laws should defend these children, not fund their killers. I stand against taxpayer funding of abortions, directly or indirectly, and I will oppose giving any tax dollars to any organization that provides or promotes abortion.

But we must also remember these children after they are born and support mothers who face seemingly hopeless situations. I will support policies that reward marriage and encourage small business and educational policies that lift people out of poverty. I will back conservative laws that promote a strong system of church and community support to mothers who need private aid to give birth and raise their children. Finally, I will back laws that make adoption a more viable alternative for mothers who would otherwise consider abortion.

HEALTHCARE

As a global economic leader for centuries, the America has thrived, based largely on the principles of personal responsibility, entrepreneurialism and free market capitalism.

Yet when it comes to healthcare, our government has undermined these principles at every turn. Our tax laws, regulations and liability laws have, for years, driven up the cost of healthcare. As costs rose, our liberal leaders doubled down on these bad policies by passing Obamacare, against the will of the American people.

Obamacare, with its new regulations, massive taxes, fees and mandates has already reduced choice, increased costs and squelched innovation. Fortunately, we've seen the value of market based approaches that encourage Health Savings Accounts, personal responsibility, healthy living and better consumer decisions. I will fight passionately to repeal Obamacare and replace it with common sense policies based on the principles of personal responsibility and fee markets. We must reform our system to drive competition, cut costs, and return power to individuals.

SECOND AMENDMENT

I strongly support American citizens' right to bear arms under the Second Amendment.

The Second Amendment reaches back to our nation's founding, as citizens protected their families, farms, and future from all threats. Our founders recognized the need to entrust arms to citizens, enabling them to defend against foes - domestic and foreign - and the dangers of the frontier. George Mason, who helped write the Bill of Rights, said, "To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them."

Today, our liberal federal government believes infringement on the fundamental rights of law-abiding citizens is an appropriate measure to prevent criminals and the psychologically unstable from acquiring firearms. Not only is this Unconstitutional, it is dangerous and shortsighted. Our government no longer trusts us, but they demand that we trust them by surrendering our rights.

Here in Pennsylvania, firearms are a way of life. As a homestead farmer, my wife and I safely use firearms for hunting, enjoyment, and protection. Every time liberal - and sometimes conservative - politicians attack our second amendment rights, they unashamedly assault our culture, heritage, and way of life.

I will not surrender our rights as citizens to the federal government, nor will I apologize for the culture and proud heritage of our district. I will vocally and legislatively oppose any attempts to limit our right to bear arms and will work alongside organizations like the NRA, Gun Owners of America, and Firearms Owners Against Crime to educate Americans on the safe ownership and use of firearms.

TAXATION AND SPENDING

William Cobbett, an English farmer and political activist, once said, "The tendency of taxation is to create a class of persons who do not labor, to take from those who do labor [...], and to give it to those who do not labor."

The 9th district of Pennsylvania has a proud tradition of labor, from rich agricultural roots to a leading producer of coal. The people of this district are not afraid of hard, honest work. But even such a strong work ethic cannot withstand the corrupt appetite of Washington. As our national debt continues to grow, we do not hear a call for less spending and responsible budgeting: we only receive a demand for more taxation on our hard-earned money, to be distributed and used for programs we don't need.

The lack of fiscal restraint in our government is appalling, and yet many of our elected leaders believe adding to the problem will somehow fix it + that we can spend away a $17 trillion deficit. This is the theoretical blather of liberal economists, who will not feel any real consequences from these policies. It will be the farmer, the coal miner, and the small business owner that will be saddled with paying for an elite political class and those who refuse to work.

I will adamantly oppose the expansion of our national debt and undue tax increases to pay for a pork-ridden entitlement government. Some say we can balance the budget in ten years; I believe it must be done in seven. We cannot risk our future on unaccountable spending, earmarks, and government programs, which effectively hold people in poverty, and block them from a prosperous future through honest labor. I believe in the proud work ethic of Pennsylvania's 9th district, and I will defend your earnings against the ever-growing, ever-taxing hands of the federal government.

CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMIT AND PENSION

In 1994, the Supreme Court ruled in Term Limits Inc. vs. Thornton that individual states did not have the Constitutional authority to subject congressmen to term-limits, citing that only a Constitutional Amendment could enumerate such powers. In essence, the court defended the right for a career politician to stay in office.

As James Madison pointed out in Federalist 59, the Founders hoped that long-term experience would produce leaders of true character and excellent governing instinct. Unfortunately, more time in Washington seems to produce leaders of less character, rather than statesmen.

When elected, I will self-impose a three consecutive term-limit (six consecutive years), and I will not accept a Congressional Pension.