One of the most important issues for me in this campaign is a return to the principles of our Constitution and the founding principles of our country.

Specifically, I would highlight the tenth amendment, and our States' constitutional right to govern themselves.  I don't believe that our federal government has the right to impose federal mandates on our states for such things as health care, energy policy, and education.  These are matters best left to the states.  The closer the decisions are to "people," the more "we the people" will have a say.  If we keep more of our tax dollars in our state, we will have less waste through bureaucracy and each tax dollar will be spent more efficiently. This, in turn, will help us get our deficit under control and help grow our economy.  A growing economy creates jobs, not government. It is my belief that if we can get back to these basics, many other problems and issues would go away. The solutions to problems such as health care and energy are better handled by the free market rather than an intrusive government and education is better served locally.  There is no need for a Federal Department of Education.  We can solve these problems and protect our liberty at the same time.