Baltimore County

I’ve heard some rumblings about an agreement called the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America. What is it and what’s your opinion of this partnership?

The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) is an executive level agreement between the governments and corporate interests in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The SPP has never been debated in congress or presented to the citizens of the United States. The SPP contains over 300 initiatives designed to synchronize North American policies on food, drugs, security, immigration, refugees, manufacturing, the economy, the environment and public health.

On the surface, the intent is noble but the underlining implications are unmistakable. This partnership is a plan worked out solely between the leaders and special interest of the counties involved. In the US, this Partnership is being developed and implemented without input from the people or their representatives and is a subversion of Congressional oversight.

Congressional interest in the Security and Prosperity Partnership must center on the implications related to national sovereignty and the formation of a North American Union. Congress must investigate all efforts to implement a tri-national political and governmental entity among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, or any other efforts to establish any form of a North American Union outside of Constitutional boundaries.
 

For more about the SPP click here.

###

Harford County

I’m concerned that using corn for fuel is not good for the economy. Can’t we simply drill for more oil.

You’re right to be concerned. Ethanol from corn is neither a short term or long term solution to moving us towards energy self sufficiency.

It has not and will not significantly offset fossil fuel consumption without long term economic consequences. If we were to transfer all corn production to ethanol it would only offset total demand for fossil fuel by 12 to 15 percent. In fact, it has been proven that adding ethanol to gasoline reduces overall fuel efficiency.

Raising the CAFE standard to 35 miles per gallon prior to 2020 would save over 4 million barrels of oil per day, approximately the daily amount the US imports from the Middle East. This alone would cut petroleum usage by more than all currently available alternative fuels sources.

We must avoid the mistaken belief that we can drill or battle our way out of our energy problem. In partnership with private industry we put a man on the moon in eight years; with the same resolve we can significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

We must invest in renewable energy sources that have little or no damaging impact on the environment. Among these are cellulosic ethanol, bio-crude, solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal.

In addition to raising the CAFE standards by 2015. I am calling for legislation to provide tax credits for consumers to purchase vehicles using alternative fuel sources and conversion to alternative energy sources to power their businesses and homes.

The 6th district in all its’ diversity can lead the charge in energy research and development.

 For more on energy click here.

###

Frederick County

I’m a small business owner caught between the left and the right. How do you propose to help small business owners?

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. For small business to compete we need...

• A strong economy so you can grow your business
• Low interest rates so you can borrow money to mange cash flow and finance growth.
• Tax cuts and incentives so you can compete against both foreign companies and huge domestic corporations.
• Reasonably priced healthcare so you can provide coverage for your families and employees.
• Good schools for our children so they have a chance to compete in a changing economy and provide a competent work force.
• Reasonable energy prices to manage the cost of getting goods to market.
• Safety, both in your neighborhoods, community and our country.

Small businesses and the American economy are best served by permanent tax cuts, including reductions in capital gains, dividend tax rates, less not more government involvement and small-business expensing.

###