JOBS 
                                                                                
As Missouri nears the 10% unemployment mark, it's obvious that something needs to be done to create jobs in our state.  As small businesses make up over 90% of all job creation in the nation, crippling the small business owner with back-breaking regulations is not the answer.  Businesses are exploring new paradigms in order to remain competitive.  Networking and co-ops are engines to recovery that show promise.  The Free Market is designed for just this kind of forward, creative thinking.  I say "stay out of the way" of small businesses and let the market decide who succeeds and who fails.  Over taxation and over regulation scare off big businesses who may be considering opening their doors here in the great state of Missouri.  Let's work together for the welfare of the community and help businesses and our communities thrive.

                                                                                                  
 HEALTH CARE   

Health care did not become "the issue of the day" overnight.  This is a problem that has been brewing for decades.  The system is broken, on that we can all agree.  The proposed solutions, however, are not the answer.  Adopting systems that redistribute wealth are known to have even greater flaws.   So what is the answer?  Again, we have over-regulated until competition has been cut off at the knees in this country.  Perfect example:  The FDA.  Sounds like a very important safeguard between drug makers and the consumer, doesn't it?  Did you know that the FDA does NOT test anything?  No, they don't.  The merely "look over" the manufacturer's testing. The fox guarding the hen house.  Bring in a third party to test the safety of new drugs and treatments on the market.
Cost is the major obstacle when discussing health care.  The testing is expensive and it takes decades for approval!  How many people have died just waiting for "FDA approval?".  Malpractice insurance is crippling to professionals and needs to be tempered to fit the given situations it is meant to address.
Bring competition back by allowing insurance companies to sell their product across state lines.  Encourage "Health Savings Accounts" for people to be motivated to use their power as consumer to find the best deal around!  Drive those costs down with competition!!  Get government out of the way, once more and allow the market to work.
Give people the right to choose and you will find that only the finest in their fields will survive and thrive.

  THE SECOND AMENDMENT  

  "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
Our Forefathers spent hours, days and weeks hashing out the exact verbage of our entire Constitution.  There are first hand accounts of these heated, sometimes physical altercations amongst them to get just the right idea across in this incredible document.  So as I read this amendment and I come to the final few words, "....shall not be infringed.", it's clear to me exactly what its meaning is.  We as citizens have the right to own a firearm.  We do not, however, have the right to wield said firearm in a way that promotes force or fraud against another citizen.  We have plenty of laws on the books protecting citizens from harm, be it from a firearm, or a strategically wielded iron skillet over the head!  If by discharging a firearm, or wielding an iron skillet, you take a life through premeditation with the intent to kill, you will be punished to the fullest extent the law allows. 
Taking steps to ensure that known criminals are not given access to firearms is a first step in ensuring the safety of the public.  Creating laws that punish law abiding citizens, however, is unacceptable and needs to be changed.

                                                                                                      
                                                                               

                                                                              
   OUR SCHOOLS  
This area of Southwest Missouri is known for its fine school system.  The success of our children depends on involvement by the parents and less dependency on the teachers and school administrators to ensure their bright future.  I will support fair and just practices within our schools that ensure the best outcomes for our educators and students.   Politics needs to be at a minimum when discussing school issues.  We can all agree that it is the children that matter most.  Finding the best and finest teachers to educate our students is essential.  Creating a safe and welcoming environment is also essential.