Congressional Clarity Statement

By Johnny M. Tacherra

It is impossible to predict the specific issues that will arise during my term as a representative in the United States Congress. However, I understand that my constituents want to have confidence in the decisions that I will make when casting my vote as their Congressional representative for District 16 in California.

To this end, I have created this "Clarity Statement" so that my constituents can have confidence concerning how I will vote on issues that arise because my voting decisions will be based on the following set of clarified principles and beliefs:

ONE - CONSTITUTIONAL PURITY The Constitution of the United States has been the most effective tool for advancing individual liberty and freedom ever in human history. And, it has secured and protected the rights of more people with diverse backgrounds and beliefs than any other document written by men. The Constitution is the bedrock of American liberty and the foundation of our government.

AFFIRM + I will always cast my vote in favor of legislation that is in alignment with the original intent of the founders who signed the Constitution. I will take my oath of office seriously and only vote for federal legislation that is Constitutional, thereby protecting the rights and freedoms of all Americans.

REJECT + I will never vote in favor of legislation that is not expressly authorized by the Constitution of the United States. Nor will I ever support any movement that serves to diminish or destroy the value of our Constitution.

TWO - BIBLICAL VALUES America was founded on Biblical values like honesty, integrity, justice, family, hard work, moral purity, law, order, civility, peace, and the like; which, as George Washington stated have formed the "pillars" upon which our Republic has rested, and is the true reason for American excellence.

AFFIRM + I will always support the uniquely American historical system of values which is rooted in the values of the Bible.

REJECT + I will reject legislation that serves to destroy Biblical and traditional American values.

THREE - EQUAL JUSTICE The Declaration of Independence solemnly declares that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." This self-evident truth was the primary motivation for the formation and existence of our nation and remains a principle worth fighting for today.

AFFIRM + I will in every instance support the cause of equal justice for all American citizens as guaranteed by our Constitution.

REJECT + I will reject any movement or legislation that seeks to prefer groups of people or organizations over any other. The federal government should never give preference to any one based on their associations, affiliations, ethnicity, etc. All men are equal under the law.

• Just like the 9th Amendment states that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution should not be "construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people," so my stance on Equal Justice should not be construed to deny or disparage other principles that I have already affirmed. For example, my belief in Equal Justice should be taken at face value and should not be construed in a torturous manner to apply to gay marriage--since that is not an issue of equal rights, and my position on Constitutional Purity and Biblical values both reject it. There is no right guaranteed in the Constitution for a special interest group to have the definition of a word changed, or to have societal norms altered through federal legislation. Nor is the "right to be married" a Constitutional "right."

FOUR - FREE SOCIETY America is strong because America was founded on the basis of Freedom. This is the land of the free. The federal government's unlawful expansion in to areas of life not expressly authorized by the Constitution is illegal and immoral. Our forefathers shed their blood so that their posterity could be free. Americans must always be free.

AFFIRM + I will always support the historical cause of Freedom in America. This includes: free markets, freedom of thought and ideas, freedom to worship, and the freedom of conscience.

REJECT + I will reject the expansion of the Federal government which restricts our freedoms, frustrates the Constitution, and destroys economic and civil progress.