ISSUES
A Thought To Consider
The Reverend Martin Luther King longed for the day when all people would be judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin. As I have walked the streets of District 4, I have had many conversations with people of various ethnic backgrounds about my stance on different issues. The common theme in these conversations was not a disagreement on policy, but to my dismay it was about my ethnic background. They said the biggest hindrance to them voting for me was that I was white. I am asking you to hold onto the vision of Reverend King: would you judge me by the content of my character and my message and not by the color of my skin?
“In God We Trust”
This is our nation's motto. Our motto asserts that we believe there is a God and that He is trustworthy and good. In 1954, Congress was concerned about the cultural decline from God/morality and added the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. “Under” is not a statement of position, but more importantly of relationship. Because of God’s great love for us, we agree to follow His laws and precepts as outlined in our Judeo-Christian heritage. The foundation of our national spiritual heritage is rooted in the Ten Commandments, which serve as a stabilizing force in our culture. This is, in part, why I’m asking people to pray for me and for our nation. We need God’s blessing and help. I firmly want to stand with you and for you to help return to our spiritual foundation as a nation.
Lower Taxes: Keep Your Money
Prior to Covid, most of us experienced the benefits of the lowest taxes and lowest inflation in decades. Since the inauguration, inflation has more than doubled nationally and the administration is openly declaring that inflation is expected to increase. Gas prices have increased over 50% and increases in goods and services are rising at a rate not seen in decades. Inflation is a tax on Every One and Every Thing! The people in District 4 are struggling. I firmly want to stand with you and for you to lower inflation, to lower taxes and to keep your hard earned money in your hands.
Jobs
Part of the role of government is to help promote a thriving economy. People want to work and they want equal opportunities and fair wages. Prosperity cannot be achieved through government subsidies. Work and hard work is honorable and should be encouraged. Out of the 24 counties in Maryland, Prince George’s County has the fourth highest unemployment rate in the state. I firmly want to stand with you and for you to build and incentivize a robust economy where jobs are plentiful and wages are rising.
Safety and Security
One of the first and primary duties of the government is to promote the safety and well being of its citizens. The occurrence of the protests over the past two years has cost our nation over $2 billion in damages and disproportionately harmed minority businesses and communities. Many have been killed and thousands have been injured. The failed policy to defund the police has resulted in double digit and in some cases triple digit spikes in violent crimes and homicides. Who has been most harmed? Again, minority communities have been disproportionately harmed. The Rule Of Law matters! This means we do not take matters into our own hands or use the violent masses to achieve our desires. Everyone has a fundamental right to be safe and secure and this is why I firmly want to stand with you and for you to keep you safe and uphold the Rule of Law.
Standing for Unity
Unity seems to be a rare virtue these days. As a husband, father, friend and pastor, I reject the extremism we see in our culture today. I choose love and not hate and I urge you to do the same. As Reverend King said (paraphrasing from the Bible), “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love and can do that.” We can agree to disagree without hurting and harming one another especially those we love. I am a compassionate, loyal and determined public servant. This is why I firmly want to stand with you and for you to help bring unity back to this region.