Here is where I stand on the issues. If there are any you would like to see added, we invite your input. After all, what I have to say is incomplete until I have heard what you have to say. Also, as the Governor’s role is to lead Colorado, I will focus on Colorado issues more so than national issues. I understand many are unavoidably interconnected.

As the next Governor of Colorado I regret that the first term or two will be undoing so much of the liberal agenda that has been implemented at the state level by the Ritter administration. As I say on my home page, Denver and Colorado are heading down the same path as Washington DC. So much will need to be undone while we simultaneously take back our state. Examples include: Removing the state employee union, discontinuing funding for Planned Parenthood, reducing FTE counts, new energy industry regulations and much more.

Republican Issues

I have been to over 400 Republican events over the last several months. Some as an observer and some as a candidate. Some had 10 people and some had over 750. At every event someone has been realistic to admit that Republicans shot themselves in the foot for the last several years. They did not walk their talk. As a matter of fact, the greatest irony is that our current president used Republican talk and our first Republican president as his role model and took the election. We allowed this to happen to ourselves. This is one reason I have stepped up to assist in re-establishing our integrity as a party.

As candidate for Governor I have revisited our national and state constitutions. I have researched the founding principals of the Republican Party. I was reminded that I was raised just up the road from the birthplace of the republican party of Ripon, Wisconsin. I am moved to assist in bringing in a new generation of republicans who stop preaching, and start reaching out and who will walk their talk.

Recent events in the race demonstrate that certain “Good Ole’ Boys” still have not learned from the sins of the past. They want to ordain someone with money and connections. I have confidence in the people of Colorado to be too smart for these shinanigans and to seek out a peoples candidate like me whether I have an R, I, or C behind my name.

Solution:
Remind Coloradans that our party is the one of grassroots freedom. That the freedom granted in our Colorado Constitution recognizes this freedom originates in a Supreme Ruler of the Universe. That all political power is vested in our people and we have a duty to protect that freedom in order to pursue our goals individually and by means we choose, not what the government or good ole’ boys choose for us.

Result:
When those we ran off, both right of center, and right of right, see us living out this dream of individual freedom, personal responsibility, fiscal conservativism, limited government, and happiness they will want it too and the Republican Party will move forward to being the party of freedom and faith in the future.

Re-energizing the Economy

For Colorado it is about lost jobs and lost tax revenue. Everything starts with our state economy which drives JOBS. Thousands of Colorado jobs, especially manufacturing, have been offshored and now, an industry expert in the oil and gas industry clearly has laid out to me that our current governor has made oil and gas exploration and mining more costly and difficult as a result of more bureaucratic regulations all in the name of the politically correct new energy economy. Oil and gas companies have capped wells and shut down valuable operations and left the state and taken their high paying jobs with them. Coloradoans on the Western Slope will attest to this. Loss of jobs hurts families, consumer spending, charities, education, social services, healthcare, and this means loss of tax dollars and loss of confidence. This all flows down hill quickly spreading to other sectors of the economy as all now can see.

We have all heard that small business is struggling. Many are closing their doors because of over regulation and taxation and now they they cannot get additional funding during the slow time. Others hesitate from launching a business because they cannot get the funding they need to support their vision. Also, others are effected as vendors and suppliers when these customers forgo investing and production resulting in more lost jobs fueling the downward spiral.

Finally, the housing market has its obvious problems, principally jobs, but exacerbated by liberal regulations driving financial institutions into risky loans on a massive scale. Colorado is rebounding even though the rest of the country may be struggling for another 12 months. If unemployment continues increasing we will suffer severely as well.

Solution:
Restructure regulations on exploration and drilling while finding a balance with environmental concerns. Bring back the jobs to the state we have lost and we will recapture both tax revenue on the energy production and the tax revenue from the new employee taxes. Imagine, if you dare, a state with no income taxes much like Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming or Alaska.

Regarding small business, we should create a fund to insure small business lending in Colorado much like the SBA nationally. This fund will encourage bankers to lend money to entrepreneurs who will step out and take the risk so many of us have. This fund could be funded by increased gaming revenues that are sure to materialize via higher stakes gaming in Colorado. I call it SENTS – Small ENTrepreneur Security Fund.

Result:
More jobs in manufacturing and energy, more consumer spending, lower energy costs, boosting business income and lastly more taxes collected from a successful and growing economy, from a larger tax base-not more and higher taxes.

Education

I will not pretend to know all the answers in this complicated area that is so emotionally charged because our children are involved. The reality is our children are falling behind the rest of the world while some school systems are boasting because they managed to raise one grade of students reading level by one 10th of a point. I see my children being shuttled to indoor recreation sites as rewards for an average performance on their report cards. I see the school systems encroaching on our parental responsibilities at the cost of academic development.

Reform is an ongoing process and the school leadership must recognize the need for constant improvement. As in business, I assure you that when properly motivated, students and teachers will strive to pursue the goal in most cases. As goes the student, so goes the teacher. Positive incentives produce positive results in most cases.

Solution:
Encourage school choices of public, private, charter and home schooling which creates competition. Continue exploring incentive based pay programs accompanied by quantitative goals for teachers. Improvements must be measurable as you can not manage what you can not measure. Trying no longer qualifies for incentive pay. Produce results or move on. Tenure should not be awarded as early as it currently is and no teacher should be protected by the union who is underperforming.

Budget transparency must be approved. No other industry has had such access to tax dollars as education. My mother always said, if you do not have anything to hide then you should not worry about someone looking.

Result:
More competition between schools and transparency in educational funding and results will produce more productive teachers, better students and administrations.

Transportation

Transportation is the backbone of economic development. No one will dispute that there are roads and bridges in Colorado that need to be replaced. The federal bailout funds coming to Colorado are more than enough to address approximately 50% of these projects immediately. There was no need for FASTER legislation asking Colorado motor vehicle owners for $250,000,000.00/ year in fees (taxes, but that is another issue) for more improvements. Now we see the state spending so called stimulous money for roads and bridge repair on bike paths! Governor Ritter is back peddling on the vehicle registration late fees and claiming he did not understand the impact it would have on Colorado taxpayers. Trust me, he knew and so did the democrat legislators who rammed it down all Coloradans throats. ALL Colorado taxpayers were victims of the democrats money grab during a time when they hold a blatant majority in our state legislature.

Solution:
Now that the Democrats have their fee increases the solution is to fix those bridges and hold them accountable to making sure the funds go where they are supposed to go. Keep an eye open for petitions that are circulating to rescind these unreasonable fees.

We also need to complete the 470 loop around the metro area. The Jefferson Parkway Authority is seeking private development currently. Finally, I would like to tackle a long term solution for I-70 congestion in the mountains.

Results:
We will have 120+ new bridges repaired, a complete 470 loop and the efficiencies that accompany it, and a vision for the I-70 congestion.

Ft. Carson Expansion into Pinyon Canyon

In 1982 Fort Carson wanted to expand its training operations into SE Colorado (Pinyon Canyon). They did so by eminent domain after they pledged that they would not. Now Fort Carson wishes to expand again and has pledged to not use ED again. You can imagine the lack of trust on the behalf of those ranchers and citizens of SE Colorado. Two of the most sacred parts of our country’s strength, private property rights and national defense stand at odds with each other. I recognize the importance of both. I have toured Pinyon Canyon with ranchers and I have read the GAO reports regarding the expansion. I await the Army’s position in person as the ranchers provided me.

Solution:

After hearing the Army’s side of the debate I wish to repair damaged relations with these two parties and seek a mutually beneficial solution that honors the needs of the military, willing sellers or leasers, and the citizens of SE Colorado. I understand the difficulties and sensitivities of this issue and want to respect them. I understand there are groups on both sides that may not want to participate in such talks. I hope they will.

Results:
We can accomodate the Army’s needs while honoring the private property rights of the respective ranchers and others in SE Colorado. If this is not possible, then we cross that bridge when we get there. The members of the opposition have told me personally that if the Army can demonstrate without a doubt that they have no other options nationally that they would sell there lands and vacate in honor of our national defense needs.

Health Care

This subject is even more challenging than education. The reality is we in the US spend much more than any other country per capita on health care. The costs are running out of control and no one has created a solution. More people than ever are uninsured including millions of children. This is not acceptable.

Solution:
I will gather experts together and examine recommendations for a statewide solution in the greater context of national healthcare. In the short term we can look at our state sponsored systems and search out inefficiencies and waste to reduce costs. We must also address Tort Reform by capping all settlement amounts and tightening definitions of gross negligence. We should also pursue interstate coverage plans.

Results:
Lower costs in the short term while insuring the same level of care while we pursue alternatives aggressively.

Immigration

Illegal immigration is a problem of all borders not just the southern one and it is a matter of national and state security. We must secure our borders with reasonable and cost effective means to assure not one more illegal alien enters our country. As an ex-police officer, I remember taking illegals off trains and holding them until immigration officials could pick them up. That needs to happen every time one is apprehended no matter what country they are from. They must be prosecuted if a crime occurred and deported upon release from jail or prison.

This only addresses the recent arrivals. The reality is we have an 800 pound gorilla in the room and it is the existing aliens that have assimilated into our culture in most cases and lead productive and valuable lives. We can continue to deal with them one at a time as they get arrested or we can finally solve the problem with a compromise. Because this is a national issue I am not sure we can solve it at a state level. I would support the following.

Solution:
Simultaneously strengthen our borders and require all employers in Colorado to use E-Verify for every new applicant and current employees. This web based data base instantly checks the applicant’s social security number and matches it to the correct owner. Any employer that knowingly hires anyone with a mismatched SSN will be penalized. We must also simply enforce our current laws regarding the use proper identification in the dispensation of services and voting rights to our citizens.

We also need to pass legislation in our state that reduces the incentives to live, work, and transfer funds from Colorado.

Result:
The number of illegal aliens should drop dramatically to those who will stay underground no matter what we do to solve the problem. We will save hundreds of millions of dollars by stopping the manipulation of our public schools, medical services, and social services while assuring that every legal immigrant is assured the pursuit of the American and Colorado dream all of us enjoy.

Social Issues:
I will start by saying that how we articulate these issues will dictate our success in 2010. I will not shy away from standing firm on our conservative values and I will strive to be as inclusive as possible with my message.

Sanctity of Life
Life is sacred not only at conception but also at the end of our God given years on this earth. I supported the Personhood initiative in 2008 and have signed the personhood petition for 2010. I am pro-life and disagree with Roe vs. Wade but recognize it as the law of the land. I will reverse statewide funding for Planned Parenthood and deny any state funds being used for ending the life of the unborn.

Traditional Marriage
Marriage in the US was one of the first forms of excercising our personal freedoms. Contrary to the arranged marriages of Europe and other countries, our founding ancestors spread the concept of marriage by choice. It was also a fundamental building block in our new society before government existed. Research over the decades supports that tradtional marriage between a man and a woman that is preserved in one marriage creates an environment most likely to reproduce successful marital and socioeconomic results. More efforts need to be taken proactively to educate and inform all Coloradans that one of the most proven paths to successful children and families is in traditional marriage.

2nd Amendment
Though more of a constitutional issue, I include this isssue here. Our constitution clearly supports the right to bear arms and no other justification is needed to do so. I have personally owned and used a firearm since I was around 12 yoa. Recent events to limit firearm ownership, increase registration requirements, or to manage conceal carry permits are overstepping state and federal rights. As a police oficer for 2 years I have seen the damage that can be done by irresponsible gun use but those rare cases do not warrant the taking away of one of the first and primary rights of our citizenry.

How Would Dan Have Voted?
Faster Legislation (Higher Veh. Registration Fees) - No
Retain Death Penalty - Yes
In-state Tuition for Illegal Immigrants - No
In-state Tuition for Veterans - Yes
Tougher Petitioning Policy - No
Death Penalty for Sex Offenders - No
Unionizing State Employees - No
Tougher Oil and Gas Regs - No

What will I do as Governor?
First and foremost, I want to serve the needs of the citizens of Colorado as your employee. Servant leadership is a goal to be aspired to and I will strive toward it daily. We are a diverse state and I will do my best to address the needs of as many as possible while honoring my traditional, conservative positions. It is time to unify our states diversity via respect for one another and the ability to agree to disagree when required. With that said, here are my priorities.
1. Reverse the executive orders that created the state employees union, and funding for Planned Parenthood.
2. Initiate efficiencies in the area of FTE counts thus reducing the size of state government freeing up funds for other priorities.
3. Restructure the content of the COGCC and work toward a more energy friendly regulatory environment in order to drive tax revenue to its highest in the state’s history while encouraging new energy models.
4. Support the reversal of FASTER legislation, and property tax increases.
5. Identify areas for program consolidation or elimination including commissions that duplicate the purpose of an executive’s responsibility.
6. Reduce the personal income tax to a level 4.5% by 2012.
7. Give tax incentives to all small businesses that hire at least 1 new employee in 2011.
8. Set the goal of a 5% unemployment rate by the end of 2013.
9. Initiate a new era of stricter enforcement of exisiting legislation and state laws including those covering vehicle registration, drivers licenses, DUI, and illegal immigration.
10. Limit new legislation to 3 bills per member of the assembly.
11. Select judges that interpret and apply exisiting law as per the state constitution rather than participating in judicial policy making.
12. Support choice in education including home, charter, public and private options. Work for a tax credit for those who choose home or private schools.