No one without top secret clearance can answer that question with intelligence.  Assuming the facts we were presented at the time were accurate, yes, we should have attacked Iraq.   I do not believe we should still be there however.  The focus of the war has constantly shifted from enforcing UN resolutions, to removing the threat of weapons of mass destruction, to removing a dictator, to rebuilding, to building a democracy.  

My strategy is to leave as soon as possible, but we must realize that no one who reads this site has the real facts. We hear the spin from the government and the media, but we don't know what's really happening over there. That said, we need to talk to the generals; speed up the timetable; but don't set an arbitrary date just to make people happy. Stop the "cut and run" or "surrender" talk. We fought and won our war and the troops can come home proudly. They have done everything that we have asked them to and more. If a civil war is indeed raging, we are enabling it by protecting the borders from foreign invasion. Take away that protection and the Iraqi people must step up and deal with threats to their nations instead of fighting amongst themselves. Finally we must realize that this is a redeployment at best. The war on terror will continue, but on other battlefronts, in times and places of our own choosing

Politicians have too much visibility and control over the military.  The military should be given objectives and then Washington must step out of the way.  

I favor a comprehensive plan consisting of pieces of Eisenhower's Massive Retaliation (overwhelming force to strike back against any aggression), Kennedy's Flexible Response (having multiple military options during a crisis), and the Powell doctrine (a clear exit strategy being required.) The end result being that the United States will use military action wherever necessary, in whatever form necessary. I also favor taking the military "off the radar screen." This does not mean that they are allowed to do whatever they want. Rather it means that you won't be able to find out where forces are by a simple internet search. Restrictions on military protection for the press must also be increased, allowing all our forces to do their job without looking good for or protecting a camera.

I am the owner of several hand guns. I have also purchased several other firearms over the course of my life. Kentucky law has changed many times over the years. I have purchased weapons with and without background checks as well as with and without a waiting period. The firearms I have purchased are for self & home defense and target shooting. I carry a Concealed Deadly Weapons License after completing the proper training.

I support sensible gun control. A person has the right to defend themselves and their family. But I have no problems with background checks or a waiting period to help make sure guns are owned by responsible people. I firmly believe these are not attacks on the second amendment, but are an effort to improve safety for our law enforcement officials and each other.

Marijuana may already be prescribed for medical use by a physician for compassionate use.  I see no need to change this.

We have to make sure the programs are not abused, but they must remain solvent.  We have to make Social Security work. People rely on it to survive and people have paid into it expecting a return when their time comes. The money needs to be invested like anyone's IRA, some of it in conservative funds and some in funds that have a higher return. I do not favor private accounts that individuals control, because the number of investment options is dizzying. I do favor some higher risk/return accounts that the financial experts control. I plan to appoint/hire the best of economists to find out how to get a better return on investment for current funds to meet the needs of the system for the long term.

There are a large number of factors which affect Social Security's long term stability. Among these are number of people paying in and their wage cap (currently at $90,000), number of people collecting, retirement age levels, cost of living allowances, and the interest rate that held funds earn. Today's computer models can show us when we will run out of money. I propose the same models can be used to change the variables we can - with policy change to follow - so that the system will remain solvent.

Immediately balance the budget; stop deficit spending; and stop adding to the debt.  Reduce federal spending.   Replace federal income tax with national sales tax to fully pay for valid federal spending and pay down the debt.

I am required to keep my checkbook in balance; because if my bills did not get paid, there would be trouble. There is no reason that the United States Government should not be held to the same standard. Smart spending and smart taxation are required.   I believe in smaller government, not bigger; one that is fiscally responsible. We will have to take a hard look at what government spending is critical and beneficial, and what is not. I believe in letting Americans keep as much money from their paychecks as possible to drive the economy.

I do not believe the crisis is as dramatic as the media or some extremists make it out to be.  However it cannot be ignored.  If there is anything man has done, it revolves around our use of energy. 

I prefer to support electric use. Electricity can be generated by wind, geothermal, nuclear or emerging technologies. Build electric or electric hybrid cars and we will be well suited for the future.

Convert houses/business to electric heat/energy use as well to wean them off oil or natural gas. Reduction of our dependence on foreign oil has the positive side effects of lessening the power of troubled Middle Eastern countries and lowering greenhouse gas emission as well.

I support any legislation, involving a constitutional amendment or otherwise, that continues to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The reasons are legal, reduction of confusion, and financial. To many, there are moral questions at hand, but we must understand that the basis of one's morality is not shared by all Americans.

The discussion of the meaning of marriage must first be a legal one. There is beauty in marriage, but if we reduce marriage to its basics, it is not a right or entitlement, but a legal act. It is defined as, "the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a legal, consensual, and contractual relationship recognized and sanctioned by and dissolvable only by law." Redefining marriage to remove the "opposite sex" part would be a government decreed, morally based change which would effectively force all Americans to endorse a sexual behavior.

I do not support the "No Child Left Behind Act".  Having two children in school and working with youth for years has shown me that the measurement of teachers and schools has become burdensome to the point of interfering with education. In some cases, children are taught to pass tests, not to learn. Teachers are instructed to improve test scores by doing "whatever it takes." We receive notes sent home during testing periods to encourage us to send snacks and make sure our kids get adequate rest during these testing times. The lack of emphasis on the rest of the school year is revealing.

Measurement must be a part of education, but we already have grades and graduation. These can be falsified, at the expense of our children, but some better way of measuring schools and their success must be put in place.

I love my country and I want to do the most for it with the time I have. My goal is to arrive in Washington without the baggage of a political career. I will not owe anyone for donating big money, for pulling strings to put me in power, or for past voting deals or political favors. Instead I will offer the best solutions to problems and not a party's political agenda. I will offer independent arbitration to a divided government and real change from the real world.

A government OF the people means you can best be represented and served by someone more like you, a hard working American citizen, not a career politician. I went to public school, had a part time job, paid for my first car and my own college (except for the first year - thanks mom & dad), and started working right after college. I have a wife, two kids, a dog, a cat, and a hermit crab. I have a mortgage and car payments like you. Making America great and healthy is my goal. Starting a career of politics is not.