I urge you to vote in the upcoming primary election on May 18.

Also, please do your research before May 18, so you know your candidates and where they stand on the issues important to you.

Check out campaign information on candidates on the League of Women Voters website at www.smartvoter.org.

My values that will guide me and serve as my foundation when I represent you in Congress are:

• I believe in limited, constitutional government
• I believe in economic freedom and free market solutions
• I believe in ethics and accountability

Most of our issues in America would be solved if our federal government was limited to the enumerated powers in the US Constitution.   By now we should all realize that 'big government' solutions to economic issues ALWAYS fail, and that every one of us - including all elected officials - must be held accountable for our own behavior and choices. 

The natural rights of people as described in the Declaration of Independence are 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'.  These are our fundamental rights that come from our creator and cannot be given to us by any government.  The purest and proper role of government is to safeguard our natural rights.  Notice that the last natural right is the 'pursuit of happiness' and not the 'attainment of happiness'.

Government cannot legislate or act to ensure equality of outcome.  This will fail always.  Government must protect our right to pursuing happiness; we must take accountability for the attainment of our happiness!  This translates into personal accountability.

Have a great day.