Here is the recently published Contract From America. My comments on each of these topics is in italics below each item.

1. Protect the Constitution

Require each bill to identify the specific provision of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to do what the bill does. (82.03%)

The oath of office that a Congressman takes is to the Constitution - not to any person, or any other entity.  I would like to see a little more time spent in our public schools on teaching this historic document and how important its relevance is to this day.  I pledge to follow the Constitution in all legislation that I will put forth to the chamber of the House of Representatives.

2. Reject Cap & Trade

Stop costly new regulations that would increase unemployment, raise consumer prices, and weaken the nation’s global competitiveness with virtually no impact on global temperatures. (72.20%)

Cap and Trade is an attempt by a government to influence the behavior of an industry to behave in a certain manner, the manner which the government has chosen.  I believe a competitive, free market with incentives and Research and Development tax breaks is a more appropriate manner to influence the energy industry to produce environmentally friendly, clean energy.

3. Demand a Balanced Budget

Begin the Constitutional amendment process to require a balanced budget with a two-thirds majority needed for any tax hike. (69.69%)

We all have to balance our own family's or personal budgets; every state has to balance its budget (because it cannot by law print money...).   I will support legislation that requires a balanced budget except in times of war or a national crisis that threatens the well being and sustainment of our nation and our Constitution.

4. Enact Fundamental Tax Reform

Adopt a simple and fair single-rate tax system by scrapping the internal revenue code and replacing it with one that is no longer than 4,543 words—the length of the original Constitution. (64.90%)

An average family with two kids should be able to do their taxes on ONE sheet of paper (front and back) of an 8.5 x11 piece of paper. The tax code should be simplified to eliminate many of the deductions and exemptions that were put in place in the early 1900s and throughout the next century that benefited only one constituency. The government should not be setting as many social policies via the tax code. There should be deductions or incentives to SAVE your own money, such as the deductions for investment income placed in 401ks and IRA type accounts; tax credits or exemptions/deductions to help small businesses to get started, and provide specific incentives that encourage people to become responsible for their own affairs and retirement. (Mr. Wilhelm is developing specific tax policies and reforms while working with like-minded Congressmen. Proposed changes will be posted here in the next few weeks.)

5. Restore Fiscal Responsibility & Constitutionally Limited Government in Washington

Create a Blue Ribbon taskforce that engages in a complete audit of federal agencies and programs, assessing their Constitutionality, and identifying duplication, waste, ineffectiveness, and agencies and programs better left for the states or local authorities, or ripe for wholesale reform or elimination due to our efforts to restore limited government consistent with the US Constitution’s meaning. (63.37%)

In my listening to the constituents of the 3rd District, the top three items I hear about are 1. Jobs and the Economy, 2. Stop the spending ( including waste/fraud/abuse and 3. Reducing the deficit (the 14 Trillion debt that all of us and our children ) are going to have to pay. (This is one reason why I am running for Congress). I know how to manage a budget. I have saved money during my entire life for retirement, college for my kids and to buy the things my family needs. I learned this from my parents and grandparents (who immigrated from Germany immediately after World War I because of the hyperinflation) who entered this country legally via Ellis Island and settled in St Louis, Missouri. [ My grandfather had been an established businessman who did not speak any English when arriving at Ellis Island, but learned the language and supported his family by working as a janitor at public schools the rest of his life. His first born son, born in the US, was killed at Guadalcanal in WWII as a US Marine. My dad, his second and only surviving son joined the Army during Korea but served in Germany due to being the sole surviving son. My dad went to college via the GI Bill and became a professor at a major University where I grew up. (see my biography on the Bio tab on the homepage).

I am for efficient and effective government that provides those services as described by our Constitution and as intended by the founding fathers; in addition to programs that effectively and efficiently provide help to those who cannot help themselves; such as people with mental or physical impairments. Other social services will assist and teach people to become self sufficient and reduce the cycle of poverty, despair and hopelessness.

6. End Runaway Government Spending

Impose a statutory cap limiting the annual growth in total federal spending to the sum of the inflation rate plus the percentage of population growth. (56.57%)

I support the limiting of the annual growth of federal spending.  Actually, we must trim down the federal government.  It must become lighter, leaner and efficient.  Where are the incentives for a Department or branch of government to SAVE money?  Cabinet members who run the  departments in the federal government should be rewarded for reducing and shrinking their fiscal budgets, not encouraged to grow their business and cost the taxpayers more money.  Particularly when the economic climate in the country is as difficult as it is now.

7. Defund, Repeal, & Replace Government-run Health Care

Defund, repeal and replace the recently passed government-run health care with a system that actually makes health care and insurance more affordable by enabling a competitive, open, and transparent free-market health care and health insurance system that isn’t restricted by state boundaries. (56.39%)

I have many ideas from a large number of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, office support staff, the Veterans administration, Medicare and Medicaid patients whereupon I will draft legislation to improve all the many 'not good' items in the HCR that was passed, ensure that any language in my bill is consistent with the Constitution, and yet will provide ways for those less fortunate to be able to afford health care from the doctors and nurses that currently exist - AND provide incentives or tax breaks for aspiring medical field professions to be able to afford school to become medical professionals.  If we have 30 million more people suddenly entering the health care system in search of health care services then we better have more doctors and nurses to provide that care.  More on this to follow...

8. Pass an ‘All-of-the-Above” Energy Policy

Authorize the exploration of proven energy reserves to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources from unstable countries and reduce regulatory barriers to all other forms of energy creation, lowering prices and creating competition and jobs. (55.51%)

We must provide incentives in a public/private partnership manner to further the research, development and innovation needed to find and develop energy sources that do not harm the environment yet provide the energy needed for a vibrant economy and country.  There is no reason why we shouldn't have a comprehensive energy policy and plan that looks 5 years, 10 years, 20 years and 50 years into the future. (Did you know that China has 50 year economic plans?...)  I will support more local energy sources such as environmentally sound and safe drilling, wind power, solar power, natural gas extraction, nuclear power (France generates almost 25% of their power from nuclear energy), geothermal, and other battery technologies that are just in their infancy.  The environmental radicals have hijacked this debate starting back when nuclear power ( via nuclear weapons development for WWII) were first developed.

9. Stop the Pork

Place a moratorium on all earmarks until the budget is balanced, and then require a 2/3 majority to pass any earmark. (55.47%)

Everyone must understand that there are good projects that need to be funded in every state and county in our great nation.  Stopping or preventing all earmarks is not going to solve the problem.  Transparency is the key.  Voters must look at all the 'special projects' that their Congressmen and Senators place into an appropriations bill and then decide whether that is a pork barrell project designed to get themselves reelected (through campaign contributions) or is it an honestly good project that will bring jobs (real, permanent ones) or improve a community or state for the long term, or provide for a common good - such as saving or restoring a feature of our environment.

10. Stop the Tax Hikes

Permanently repeal all tax hikes, including those to the income, capital gains, and death taxes, currently scheduled to begin in 2011. (53.38%)

This one is easy folks.  We must simplify and reform our tax code.  I am discussing many ideas with prominent organizations and prominent people to come up with a common sense tax structure that YOU will be able to comment on.  An average family or single person should be able to do their taxes in one hour or less, on one page of an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper.  I have plans for all the IRS personnel that will no longer be needed also.  They will assist in solving our illegal immigration problems.  More on that to follow....

Finally - Government can and should work FOR the people.  Not hinder YOUR efforts to support yourselves and your family in pursuing life, liberty and happiness.  Our Nation is and shall remain the one that offers the most opportunities available to those who  properly request and enter this great nation of OURS.