Kuzmanich for Congress - Vote for John Kuzmanich for Congress!

Fiscal Responsibility
John Kuzmanich is deeply concerned about the financial health of our country and our state. Runaway spending, by both parties, has caused the national debt to spiral out of control, burdening our children and grandchildren with a crushing federal debt. Main Street working Americans can meet the challenges of the current economic downturn and return to prosperity, but government must balance the federal budget, keep taxes low, find fiscally responsible reforms for our health care system, and ensure that Social Security and Medicare continue to be solvent.

Energy Independence
John Kuzmanich supports making America more energy independent, by exploring and using our nation’s abundant energy reserves to create jobs, produce energy, and better the environment. John agrees with an "all-of-the-above" approach to domestic energy production, including nuclear energy, that will help Americans reduce the price of energy and begin to move toward a smarter, cleaner, renewable energy future.

John Kuzmanich does not support the “cap and trade” bill, which will impose a new national energy tax. Members of Congress who support this bill, such as his opponent David Wu, are seriously disconnected from the reality facing most American families. The bill will have a profoundly negative impact on jobs, on the economy, and on the financial security of Oregon families already struggling to pay their utility bills. In Congress he will focus on helping families survive the current economic downturn, maintain their jobs, and pay their household bills. Cap and Trade will take our country in the wrong direction, doing far more harm than good.

John Kuzmanich supports a smarter forest policy that will secure the long term health, vitality, and sustainability of our forestlands for generations to come. America’s forests are national treasures that provide habitat and recreational opportunities. And they are also a resource that can help drive local economies.

Oregon’s natural resource industries have been uniquely and sharply affected by changes in resource policies over the last 25 years. As an example, from a high of 10% of Oregon’s economy in 1990, the timber industry has fallen to a mere 3% today, causing massive mill closures, job losses, and damage to rural economies.

Health Care
John Kuzmanich believes that America’s health care system is built around choice. Families must be able to consult with their doctors and choose the health care options that suit their family and financial needs. John does not believe that health decisions should be made by government bureaucrats far removed from the family bedside.

Costs, affordability, portability and greater coverage for the poor are critical health care issues that must be addressed. But the process must thoughtfully protect and preserve choice, flexibility, quality, and costs to the taxpayers.

Immigration
John Kuzmanich recognizes that our strength as a nation is built on the immigrant experience in America. His father and his family are immigrants. John welcomes legal immigration to this country. However, we are also a nation of laws, and government should not adopt policies that encourage illegal immigration. John Kuzmanich opposes amnesty, and believes we ought to strengthen our border enforcement and institute an employment verification system that works.

National Security
National security is the fundamental reason for the existence of the federal government. Our government and all elected officials must be dedicated to the safety and security of our citizens. In the world today, there is a critical disconnect between those who believe we are engaged in a “war on terror” and those who believe that terror acts on U.S. soil are criminal justice concerns.

The current administration has taken the right path in Afghanistan, but their position seems to be based on politics & outside recommendations rather than a consistent, coherent foreign policy strategy formulated by the Commander-in-Chief.

John Kuzmanich believes that the war on terror requires a strong, consistent strategy, and it requires the undivided attention of our intelligence community and the absolute readiness of our military and Homeland Security Department.

Further, like most Americans, John Kuzmanich believes that enemy combatants should be treated as such, and neither treated and arrested as citizens, nor tried in U.S. courts, or necessarily on U.S. soil.

Our commitment and loyalty to our allies is enhanced by a well-prepared, technologically superior military force as well as by a solid system of defense strategies.

Finally, John Kuzmanich believes that those who serve this fundamental goal of the federal government -- the men and women of our armed services, the intelligence services, Homeland Security, and our Border Patrol agents, deserve our fullest support.

The Bill of Rights
John Kuzmanich believes the Constitution guarantees all Americans certain inalienable rights, and is especially concerned for those rights enumerated in the first ten Amendments to the Constitution. John believes an ever-growing federal bureaucracy has at times encroached on those rights, and our current political environment has created special concern for the First Amendment right to free speech and the Second Amendment right to an armed citizenry. John is an ardent supporter of our Constitution, and stands firmly behind all Americans’ right to defend themselves, their families, and their property.

The Second Amendment
John Kuzmanich believes that all Americans have the right to live in freedom and security. The Second Amendment guarantees all Americans the right to own firearms. John stands firmly in support of the Second Amendment rights of all Americans, and believes that any attempts by government to infringe upon those rights are unconstitutional.

John Kuzmanich on the Issues