Dear Neighbors:
In my long ago youth I had the honor and privilege to play football at the University of Georgia. The teams I played on were not as good as the Dawgs of today, but we were led by a Hall of Fame coach named Vince Dooley. That's me in the picture on the right (#56) helping carry Coach Dooley off the field in his last game (we beat Michigan State on January 1, 1989 in the Gator Bowl to finish the year ranked #15 at 9-3).
That was my last football game, but a lot of the lessons I learned still shape my life today. Also the memories I shared with my teammates are things I cherish, like the relationship I had with Bryant Gannt, who was hurt that game but is still carrying coach off the field (Bryant now works at UGA and you usually see him on the sideline when the Red and Black play on TV). In our house, we got to have a bit of a trip down memory lane a few weeks ago on Gallatin High's "College Gameday" which was part of homecoming week - both kids decided to "represent" the Bulldogs.
Coach Dooley always taught us that "a commitment is a commitment", and when you give your word to someone you keep it. So even though I married a Montana girl and we're proud to call the Gallatin Valley our home, I'd like to share my commitment to the people in HD 63:
I firmly believe in the traditional Republican values of limited and small government. We need to find ways to reduce spending thus easing the tax burden crushing Montana families.
Frankly I don't care if people in Ohio are eating cats, dogs or geese, but I do think that unchecked immigration is causing significant problems in this country (and other countries as well). The words written on the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" are an ideal worth preserving, but not at the expense of unchecked chaos. I believe we need to work to reform the immigration situation, but as importantly enforce the rules and policies that exist. It's a big issue, and Montanans should not have to bear the financial burden of people living in this country illegally.
Medicare expansion is a big issue for the next legislative session. Almost 100,000 Montanans rely on this program. We need to find a way to continue this program for those most at risk.
I do not believe the last election was stolen. It was a tough race, and Joe Biden was fairly elected as president. I want both of the current candidates to do a better job telling us what they will do instead of what the other candidate won't do. I do think that a person should have to validate or prove their citizenship before being allowed to register to vote.
I believe that hatred, bigotry and division have no place in politics or governing. As it says in our pledge, we are "one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all". To me those are not just words, they are ideals. If elected I would work to make sure those values are reflected in our laws and how we govern.
I believe that the right to choose should be protected for women. That right exists in Montana's constitution, and it must remain protected. That doesn't mean I want people to have abortions. However, I believe that decision should be made by the woman who is pregnant.
I believe we need to lower taxes for working Montanans, especially property taxes, and we need to do that through finding ways to reduce spending.
I believe that I'm the best candidate for HD 63. I care about this community. I live in this district. Our kids go to school in this district. I'm asking for your vote.
Please send me questions that matter to you. My e-mail is markalewis56@gmail.com. My cell phone is 406.599.3243.
Respectfully,
Comments