Dick Muri for Congress - Washington's 9th District

National debt and out of control spending robs future generations. Recent administrations have ignored the ever-growing national debt, which leads us to an unsustainable path to insolvency, as our debt will be greater than GDP.

Job creation comes from private enterprise, not taxpayer-funded “stimulus” packages. I promote free market principles on which the American economy has flourished. Growing government jobs doesn’t create wealth, it creates a burden on the taxpayer to fund public-sector wages.

Government mandated health insurance is the wrong prescription to cure America’s health care system. The new health care law needs to be repealed and replaced. You know what’s best for your health care needs, not the government.

A strong military and national defense is one of the top priorities of the federal government. After serving 22 years in the military, I understand the day-to-day and long term issues regarding national defense.

Energy independence is a critical solution in helping the economy and international policy. Developing nuclear power and increasing onshore and offshore drilling for oil and natural gas are huge job creators for the United States.

Americans embrace legal immigration. The United States is unique in that we embrace and accept more legal immigrants than the rest of the world combined. It is this melting pot of beliefs and cultures that make this county great; where anyone can live the American-Dream.

Empowering local decisions on Education and Education spending is a priority of mine. As a former school board member, I fully endorse the right to an education. The right to an education is commonly understood and believed to be essential in our society. An education improves both the individual quality of life and the quality of life for the nation. Education empowers individuals to excel mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Government agencies must be accountable for their performance. Lack of accountability to the American public has been a major factor in contributing to the current economic crisis and diminishing faith in the federal government. Far too long Washington D.C. has been allowed to run wild with spending and the creating more and more government agencies.

The right to bear arms is clear and simple. With Limited exceptions, the right to bear arms is a constitutional right and American Citizens cannot be denied that right.