Press release for Claude M. (Skip) Davis III

PRESS RELEASE

Claude M. (Skip) Davis III of Weiser has announced his candidacy for the U. S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Mike Crapo.  Skip has filed to run against Sen. Crapo in the May 25 primary.

Skip was born in Pottsville, PA and is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University.  He is an Eagle Scout and served in the US Army, being honorably discharged in 1972 having attained the rank of Captain.

After moving to Boise in 1977 Skip received his real estate sales license in 1982 and his broker’s license in 1986.  He and his wife Sally purchased a ½ interest in 3 CENTURY 21 franchises in 1986, one of which was honored as one of the first CENTURY 21 CENTURION offices in Idaho. After moving to Weiser in 2000, he was Designated Broker for CENTURY 21 Exclusive Properties for several years and is currently an Associate Broker with Select Properties LLC of Weiser.  Sally and Skip have 6 grown children.

In deciding to run for the Republican Party’s U. S. Senate seat, Skip points to the stagnation which seems to linger in Federal politics.  “Since I have been eligible to vote, I have seen the same issues raised in administration after administration, whether Republican or Democrat.  Regardless of the party in power, the status quo reigns in Washington, D. C.  It is time for “We the People” to take our country back from the career politicians.”  Issues can be viewed at www.electclaudedavis.com.

MY POLICY PLATFORM

TERM LIMITS

 Amend the U.S. Constitution to provide term limits for all elected, Federal officials.  Senators and Congressional Representatives should be elected to one, and only one,  6-year term.  Elections would be held every 3 years, staggering Senate and Congressional elections to allow a base of established representatives at any given time to continue the work in progress.  No more lifelong inhabitant of our nation’s capitol.  The current system for Presidential elections and 2-term limits would remain in effect.  At the end of the representatives’ terms, they would return to the private sector.  No former federal elected official could run for election to any other federal post.

CONGRESSIONAL BENEFITS

Pay, Retirement & Health Care:  The salaries of all federal elected officials and appointees would be frozen at current levels.  Salary increases would be limited to the least of 3% or the Annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).  All federal elected officials and appointees would be taxed based upon the current statutes.  Appointees would receive no benefits or bonuses.  Appointees would need to secure their own healthcare benefits and retirement packages through the private sector and at their sole expense.  All appointee income would be subject to current Social Security and Medicare taxes.  All past, present, and future retirement benefit packages for all appointees and federal elected officials, including all funds in the current federal retirement, immediately will be rolled into the Social Security and Medicare programs.  No more special retirement and health care packages for our elected officials and appointees.  All Presidential and Congressional retirees, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, will receive ONLY Social Security and Medicare benefits based on the requirements for Social Security and Medicare.  If these past, present, and future retirees wish to have a supplemental retirement or health care program, those individuals can choose any program currently available to all working citizens of the United States.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

 Individuals and corporations may make unlimited contributions to a General Federal Election Fund.  These funds would be controlled by a small office with an equally small staff in Washington, D.C.  Donated funds cannot be “earmarked” for any individual candidate or party.  All funds will be disbursed to each state based upon the number of registered voters in each state.  Funds received by each state would be provided to each candidate based on the candidate’s constituency in that state.  NO OTHER FUNDS, PRIVATE OR PUBLIC, WILL BE ALLOWED TO BE USED BY A CANDIDATE DURING THE COURSE OF ANY FEDERAL CAMPAIGN.

MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS

I do not believe our military requirements are such that we need to remain in Europe and Japan.  I believe our contingents in locations such as South Korea and Turkey can be drawn down.  Troops must be reduced in Iraq as soon as possible, and our deployment in Afghanistan must show a vast local improvement to remain.  A small, rapid-strike force may have to remain indefinitely to assure no resurgence of Al Qaeda in that area.  Return as many troops as possible to our U.S. bases.  Since we know that Al Qaeda and the Taliban receive considerable monetary support from the drug trade, I would push to have all poppy fields eradicated in the region immediately.  Why this has not yet occurred baffles my mind.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

 I would allow border states the utilization of their National Guard troops to provide border security beside the U.S. Border Patrol.  Undocumented personnel would be granted no access to our country.  All 50 states would be required to detain any undocumented people and turn them over to the appropriate federal authority to be repatriated to their homeland immediately, along with any family members, who may be accompanying them.  States found in violation immediately would be cut off from any federal funding due that state until the state conforms to the regulation.  The funds lost due to that state’s noncompliance would not be recoverable by that state.  Any person wishing to apply for citizenship in the United States will be allowed to do so utilizing the current legal process.  All must get in line behind those currently seeking legal citizenship.

HEALTH CARE REFORM

Health care is NOT a RIGHT to be provided by the government.  It is an individual responsibility.  Like automobile insurance, which is required by many states, health insurance should be a requirement in all states.  The Federal Government needs to provide some health care reform measures.  Two specific items come to mind.  The availability for individuals to buy health insurance across state lines from any provider would make policies more affordable.  Additionally, major tort reform, which would reduce ridiculous claims against providers and medical facilities for medical malpractice, would help assure affordability to all.  The current health care reform measure, with its 2,000+ pages of legalese, is not only a joke, in my opinion, but also a mockery of our legislators.

LEGISLATION

Our founding fathers established our form of government with a 4-page document, the U.S. Constitution.  Legislation needs to be written in a form understandable to the common people.  Nowadays one needs to hire an attorney to tell one what the attorney THINKS the legislation means.  No amendment should be attached to any legislation unless it is directly related to the original legislation.  If a law is not written in lay language in 10 pages or less, to include any pertinent amendments, it should not be presented, PERIOD.  All legislation should be required to be posted on-line for a minimum30-day period to allow all constituents the opportunity to read, understand, and inform their Representative of their respective opinions.

ECONOMY

Our country is mired in an economic recession.  Throwing freshly-printed dollars at the issue may help in the short term, but it is not a cure all.  Our numerous trade agreements need to be overhauled.  When companies can outsource labor to China, Mexico, Indonesia, and everywhere else, what jobs remain for Americans?  We need to become the manufacturing giant we once were.  Short of becoming an isolationist country, I am open to ideas from the private sector on how to solve this dilemma. I constantly search “MADE IN USA”.  It is frustrating.  We need to begin bringing those jobs home.  We all will need to tighten our belts.

The status quo has ruled Washington for as long as I can remember.  Our career legislators seem to have one common goal; raise as much money as possible to get re-elected, no matter the cost.  Ask yourself,” Do I want a representative who will work for one term and do his or her best to accomplish what is right for this country and its people?” or “Do I prefer a representative continually using valuable time trying to preserve his or her seat in Congress?”

Our founding fathers did not envision career legislators.  The President, Senators, and Congressional Representatives should be elected to serve their country and their constituents for the short term, then to pass the legislative torch to fresh minds to continue to expand and improve our Republic for the good of all the people.

I pledge to serve one term only; then return to the private sector and resume my career.  I firmly believe that is what our founding fathers sought of themselves.

The Republican Primary election is May 25, 2010.  Anyone who is properly registered can vote in the primary regardless of party affiliation.  If you want to make a statement to the career politicians, I ask for your vote on May 25th.

I seek no donations, just your support.  My web address is www.electclaudedavis.com