Answers to Common Issue Questions

Upholding democratic principles is crucial to the stability of the American Republic. However, several aspects of our current political system threaten the integrity of our representative government and demand urgent reform.

One impactful, straightforward change to restore trust in the electoral process would be the implementation of a national voter identification law. Every voter should be required to present a state or federally issued ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or passport card. Claims that voter ID laws are discriminatory are purely partisan distractions. Voter identification is essential for a fair, secure election process.

Term limits should also be established through a constitutional amendment. I propose a limit of three terms (18 years) for U.S. Senators, ten terms (20 years) for U.S. Representatives, and a maximum of 25 total years in federally elected office. If a U.S. Senator reaches this 25-year cap, they must step down and allow the governor to appoint a successor. For Representatives, they would be barred from running again. Additionally, no federally elected official with a net worth exceeding $750,000 should be eligible for congressional retirement benefits, including health insurance.

Gerrymandering is one of the most damaging assaults on American democracy. Electoral districts must be drawn to foster real competition between political opponents, creating true accountability in general elections. Districts should also be structured to reflect coherent communities—for instance, Cary, Illinois, should not be in the same congressional district as Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. Ending gerrymandering will strengthen our democracy and ensure that elected officials genuinely represent the people they serve.

The 10th Amendment and the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision clearly establish that abortion is a states' rights issue. As your federal representative, I will neither support nor oppose federal abortion legislation, as it would be explicitly unconstitutional. I believe strongly in federalism and am committed to ensuring that each state can decide through its own legislative processes what best serves its constituents.

The 2nd Amendment and rulings like New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen affirm the fundamental right of individuals to protect themselves, their families, and safeguard against potential government tyranny. While this latter reason may seem unlikely today, Thomas Jefferson encapsulated this principle when he wrote, “No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms” in his draft of the Virginia Constitution in 1776, reflecting the founders’ view that personal firearms are essential for protecting individual liberties.

When it comes to current gun policy, I recognize a delicate balance between ensuring public safety and upholding due process and individual rights. Gun tragedies today often stem from the nation's ongoing mental health crisis, not from responsible gun ownership; after all, high schools have maintained shooting teams for generations without incident.

In principle, I would support universal background checks on all gun sales, public and private, and red flag laws that strictly respect due process—though such legislation has yet to be crafted in a way that fully protects individual rights.

In summary, gun ownership is a fundamental right. Most tragedies involving firearms are rooted in mental health issues rather than the firearms themselves. I believe in sensible federal regulation that respects both individual liberty and due process.

I fully support legal immigration and greatly value the contributions immigrants bring to the U.S. economy. I believe our immigration system should be reformed to welcome more individuals with valuable qualifications, professional experience, or entrepreneurial ambitions. Those who earn a college degree in the United States should also receive special status, enabling them to apply their education to strengthen our economy. Additionally, we need a streamlined process to allow workers from Mexico and other Latin American countries to fill essential roles in agriculture and other labor-intensive sectors.

At the same time, illegal immigration must not be tolerated. Those who enter the country unlawfully should be returned to their country of origin. I also oppose birthright citizenship, believing that at least one parent should be a U.S. citizen for a child born on U.S. soil to receive automatic citizenship.

America must transition to renewable energy and modernize its outdated power grid. Coal, as one of the dirtiest forms of energy, must be phased out entirely. In the short term, natural gas and nuclear fission should serve as primary energy sources. For the long term, however, nuclear fusion holds the most promise. Fusion is the only technology capable of providing clean, renewable energy without the waste or risks associated with traditional nuclear power. It is the key to achieving perpetual clean energy, and I fully support funding fusion research with the goal of phasing out all other energy sources, including wind and solar, by 2050.

Additionally, America must invest in a complete overhaul of its power grid. This includes transitioning power lines underground, utilizing advanced materials, and strategically updating infrastructure nationwide. A modern, resilient grid is essential for a secure and prosperous American future.

Like many Americans, I sometimes wish we could focus solely on domestic issues, limiting our involvement abroad to our closest allies. Isolationist policies can be appealing, and many of us are drawn to them. However, history and reality show that disengaging from global affairs is ultimately detrimental. America must remain active on the world stage—pursuing trade agreements, negotiating peace, investing abroad, building strategic military installations, and supporting allies as the world's leading arms provider. If we retreat, other nations, particularly China or Russia, will quickly fill the vacuum.

Currently, the BRICS alliance is challenging American global leadership, which threatens stable international trade, safe waters, and American influence. For the security and prosperity of the American people, the federal government must prevent other nations from reshaping the global order.

This doesn’t mean America should involve itself in every foreign conflict or police the world. Instead, we must be strategic and deliberate in our approach to emerging regional powers, balancing global leadership with prudence.

I believe in a tax system that rewards ambition and doesn’t penalize success. My vision is a flat income tax with no deductions, where those earning at or below lower-middle-class income levels ($40,000 for individuals, $60,000 for married couples) would pay no federal income tax. I recognize that such a reform may face insurmountable obstacles. Thus, I support a streamlined, progressive tax structure that tops out at a modest 15%.

Our economy relies on the energy of people who innovate, take risks, and work in demanding industries. By creating a fair tax system that doesn’t punish achievement, we encourage growth and opportunity for all.

Entitlement programs are often considered the "third rail" of politics because it’s seen as political suicide to propose changes that affect likely voters, especially elderly Americans. However, our nation’s seniors care deeply about the country’s future, just as the younger generations do.

The facts are clear: (1) 61% of the federal budget is consumed by mandatory spending on entitlement programs, with 26% allocated to discretionary spending and 13% to interest on the national debt. (2) Social Security accounts for 23% of the budget, Medicare for 15%, and Medicaid for 9%. (3) Social Security is projected to be depleted by 2035, just over a decade from now.

It’s time for Americans to support leaders willing to make difficult, necessary choices for our nation’s long-term stability.

I believe that no American age 40 or older should experience any change in Social Security benefits or retirement age; they’ve earned these benefits and paid into the system for decades. For those aged 30-39, I propose raising the minimum retirement age to 75. With advancements in medicine and research suggesting health benefits from working later in life, this change is both feasible and beneficial. Finally, for Americans under 30, a transition to a national 401(k)-style system with government-matching contributions, a government funded starting balance of $25,000 at birth, and a retirement age of 75 is essential. This approach secures their future while ensuring the sustainability of our entitlement programs.

Without bold leadership, this issue could lead to an American economic catastrophe. For the sake of future generations, we must address this challenge now to ensure long-term stability and prosperity.