<h3><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Political Issue Discussion</span></h3>
<p>Thyra has listed below many of the critical issues important to Idahoans and will be posting her positions on them throughout the next several days. Keep checking back while she continues the discussion.</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Abortion</span></b></p>
<p>Life is precious. It is a gift from God. I am fully Pro-Life.</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Budget, Spending, and Taxes</span></b></p>
<p>Acceptance of federal stimulus funds</p>
<p>Federal estate tax elimination</p>
<p>Balanced budget</p>
<p>Government funds to stimulate, improve, economy</p>
<p>How can Idaho avoid more budget cuts for schools</p>
<p>Should Idaho’s highway and road jurisdictions be consolidated to save money</p>
<p>Should Idaho revoke some tax exemptions</p>
<p>How to balance reduced revenues and fair taxation with public needs</p>
<p>Urban renewal laws</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Business and Employment</span></b></p>
<p>Privatize Social Security</p>
<p>Reducing government regulations on private sector</p>
<p>Minimum Wage</p>
<p>Ability of workers to unionize</p>
<p>Federal funding for job-training</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Campaign Finance and Government Reform</span></b></p>
<p>Federal campaigns-increase in amount individuals donate</p>
<p>Line Item Veto for President for appropriations</p>
<p>Limit to President’s signing statement ability</p>
<p>Party Platform and repeal of 17<sup>th</sup> Amendment</p>
<p>Loyalty Pledges</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Crime</span></b></p>
<p>Capital punishment-support</p>
<p>Vocation, job training assistance, substance abuse treatment after prison release</p>
<p>Reduced sentences for non-violent offenders</p>
<p>Mandatory sentences for illegal drugs</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Education</span></b></p>
<p>Federal standards and testing requirements for K-12</p>
<p>Federal funding for universal pre-K, charter schools, K-12 school vouchers</p>
<p>Federal government providing financial aid to college students</p>
<p>State oversight of public charter shcools</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Environment and Energy</span></b></p>
<p>Energy</p>
<p>Wolves</p>
<p>Water</p>
<p>Timber</p>
<p>Fish</p>
<p>Oil</p>
<p>Nuclear</p>
<p>Alternative energy</p>
<p>Climate change</p>
<p>Cap and trade, carbon credits</p>
<p>Fuel efficienty standards</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Guns</span></b></p>
<p>We are fortunate to enjoy the right to keep and bear arms, a protection provided individuals by the 2<sup>nd</sup> Amendment to our Constitution. I defend this right. I am a Life Member of the National Rifle Association and I possess an Idaho Concealed Carry permit.</p>
<p>I do not support a ban on ‘assault’ rifles, or further restrictions on the purchase or possession of fire arms.</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Health</span></b></p>
<p>Support publicly-administered health insurance option</p>
<p>Lawsuit against federal government for health insurance mandates</p>
<p>Expansion of access through health insurance reform</p>
<p>Expanded eligibility for tax-free medical savings account</p>
<p>Limits on malpractice lawsuit damages</p>
<p>Relaxing regulations on importation of prescription drugs</p>
<p>Texting legislation</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Immigration</span></b></p>
<p>Idaho enact and enforce state immigration policy</p>
<p>Pathway to citizenship for illegals</p>
<p>Decrease in legal immigrants allowed</p>
<p>English as official language</p>
<p>Enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">International Policy</span></b></p>
<p>Support of military in Afghanistan</p>
<p>Military assistance, economic development assistance for Afghanistan</p>
<p>Terrorists in Pakistan</p>
<p>Aid to countires</p>
<p>Creation of Palestinian state</p>
<p>Sanctions on Iran</p>
<p>Free trade agreements</p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Social Issues</span></b></p>
<ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1">
<li>Marriage
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;">
<li>Marriage should be between one man and one woman</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;">
<li>Americans have a right to live as they choose as long as their behavior does not disrupt civil society.</li>
<li>I do not support openly gay men and women serving in the military.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Embryonic stem cell research
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;">
<li>I oppose federal funding for this research</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Affirmative Action Programs
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;">
<li>I oppose further regulation by the federal government to instill social engineering</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p>