Creating Jobs and Fixing the Economy
We’re experiencing decades-high unemployment, runaway government spending and a regulatory environment that is hostile to job creators.  An overabundance of bureaucratic red tape has created an atmosphere of economic uncertainty for businesses large and small.  America cannot get back to work if entrepreneurs don’t believe that today’s risk is worth tomorrow’s reward.  Government spending will not lead us to prosperity – only a vibrant private sector will.
 
My solution is to get the economy moving again by fostering an innovative environment where businesses can grow and start to create jobs again.  I plan to root out regulations that inhibit job growth and treat businesses as partners, not ATMs. I will work to cut wasteful spending and reduce taxes so that businesses and individuals are free to keep more of their hard-earned money.
 
Reducing the Budget Deficit
For years, politicians have made promises that couldn’t possibly be kept and spent money that didn’t exist.  We now have a debt crisis that is hurting our standing in the world and crippling our economy at home.  In just the last three years, the government has run annual trillion dollar deficits and borrows $0.40 for every dollar that it spends.  That type of spending is unsustainable and inhibits the real job creators of this country from putting people back to work.
 
Maryland families have been tightening their belts during this recession, now it’s time for the federal government to do the same.  I will work to reduce wasteful spending and work to achieve a balanced budget.  I ran for Congress to pass on the American Dream to the next generation.  If we don’t seriously tackle the spending problem, our children and grandchildren will not have the same opportunities for success that we all enjoyed.
 
Improving Health Care
As a physician, I am keenly aware of the challenges that all Americans face when it comes to health care.  The president’s health care law only made things worse – the cost of insurance will go up and the quality of care will go down, especially for our seniors.
 
Real reforms are necessary to make quality health care coverage more affordable and accessible.  Tort reform will do away with frivolous lawsuits and reduce health care costs for everyone.  I also believe that we should be able to purchase insurance across state lines – competition always provides the best possible product at the lowest possible price.  And finally, we must preserve the doctor-patient relationship.  Physicians, not government bureaucrats, should provide guidance on medical decisions that affect you and your family.
 
Protecting the Bay and Our Environment
Growing up, I was taught that you should always try to leave a place better than the way you found it – and that’s my philosophy when it comes to the environment.  The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure that must be preserved for future generations to enjoy.  My kids swim in it, our family catches rockfish out of it, and its economic impact on the 1st Congressional District is immeasurable.
 
Waterman, oysterman, crabbers, farmers, hunters, restaurants and the tourism industry depend on a healthy, clean Chesapeake Bay for their livelihood.  I am committed to commonsense, multi-state solutions that protect the Bay and its precious waterways.  In order to make meaningful progress, we need to make sure that all of the stakeholders have a seat at the table and everyone has a voice in repairing our beautiful estuary.  If we don’t receive “buy-in” from all active partners, we can never achieve the goal of a robust environment that our children will be able to appreciate.

Veterans
As a veteran, I fully understand the commitment and sacrifice each serviceman and servicewoman makes for our great nation.  Our veterans are heroes and deserve our respect and gratitude.  However, for many veterans coming home, it is a difficult and painful transition.
 
We must keep our promise to those who answered our nation’s call by ensuring they have access to the highest quality health care.  Regardless of when they served, I believe that every soldier, sailor, Marine and airmen receive our utmost attention.  Whether your service was in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, or Iraq/Afghanistan, each venue has unique problems that need specific solutions.  I will also keep my promise to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as our POWs and MIAs.

Agriculture and Poultry
America depends on our farms for food, clothing and thousands of jobs.  They are small family businesses that make up the economic and cultural backbone of the 1st Congressional District. As a Senator in the Maryland General Assembly, I helped promote and protect Maryland agriculture and poultry in the State House.  I will do the same in the halls of Congress.
 
I promise to shield farmers from unnecessary and harmful regulations that could hurt their ability to grow and create jobs.  I oppose the estate tax because families should be able to pass farms down to the next generation without penalty.  I am also a fervent supporter of property rights – farmers should not be subjected to harmful land use laws that devalue their property and make it more difficult to do business.