Issues & Positions

I voted for the bill that required that our Attorney General bring suit as to the Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. I also voted for legislation nullifying Obamacare. I believe the Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare, is one of the most important issues I have had to consider in my years as a legislator. In my viewpoint, it is not about Healthcare, it is about control and socialism. I believe that there are some free market measures that can be taken to help reduce the cost of healthcare, such as allowing insurance competition across state lines and the encouragement to use Medical savings accounts that allow people to better direct their own care.

Taxes

I really do not mind paying my fair share of taxes. Our total tax structure should be fair and equitable as well as stable. We need to not only expect – but demand – that our elected officials utilize our tax dollars wisely and efficiently.

Budget & Spending

As a fiscal conservative, I am thankful that Idaho has a constitution that mandates that we balance our budget each year. It would be too easy to say ‘yes’ to all the budget requests that are brought before the legislature each year, only to find ourselves operating in the red or having to make deeper cuts to programs and services. We have to be mindful that we have to be accountable. Raising taxes is not the right answer.

As a lifetime member of the National Rifle Assoication (NRA), I believe that the second amendment guarantees our right to keep and bear arms. I have always opposed legislation and administrative action that infringes on that right.

I have also received an endorsement by the National Rifle Association.

Passed December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights, the Second Ammendment reads: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

The complex part is the interpretation of the amendment. It is important to understand the language of the Constitution in terms of what that language meant to the people who wrote and ratified the Constitution.

George Mason argued the importance of the militia and right to bear arms by reminding his compatriots of England’s efforts “to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them. . .” The framers thought the personal right to bear arms to be a paramount right by which other rights could be protected.

James Madison included “the right to keep and bear arms” in the list of basic “human rights.” And in Federalist #46, he confidently contrasted the Federal Government of the United States to the European Kingdoms, which he contemptuously described as “afraid to trust the people with arms.” He assured his fellow citizens that they need never fear their government because of “the advantage of being armed.”

Patrick Henry eloquently argued, “Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.”

During the 20th Century there have been many court cases to argue the right of the people to keep and bear arms. To date that right has been upheld, but we must be watchful. Do not take for granted that which many have fought to protect.

- Lawerence Denney

Illegal immigration is an issue in Idaho and across America. We have always welcomed people to America, but we need to assure that we are watchful of our borders and continue to work to provide safe and legal means for people who want to come to Idaho (and America at large) to work legally and to enjoy our great State.

Life

I am strongly Pro-Life and have always supported legislation that protects human life. I oppose any legislation that either provides government funding for or encourages abortion as a means of birth control.