John Lindsey, Jr. on current issues affecting Floridians

Online, May 8, 2010 (Newswire.com) - John Lindsey, Jr. on current political issues affecting Floridians:

1. Clean Water Restoration Act introduced by Representative Oberstar - removal of the word "navigable waters" from the definition of "waters of the United States".

POSITION: I am not in favor of the removal of "navigable waters" as this would give the Federal Government more power into States and private property. Water that does not leave private property or in any way impact a navigable waterway should not require federal oversight and should be subject to the rules and regulations of local or state jurisdiction. The Clean Water Act was intended to clean up America's waterways to protect the water quality of those downstream from would be polluters located upstream. Neither industry nor agriculture have the right to discharge pollutants into the water which would harm the environment or prevent the use of said water from usage by others. We are to be good stewards of our resources and the federal government does not need to be involved with local or private land or water use matters.

2. Property Rights - for example - how item #1 would impact property rights of individuals regardless of whether or not they have any environmental significance.

POSITION: One only has to look at our founding documents (The Declaration of Independence & The Constitution) to determine that the Federal Government was established to protect the rights of individuals to obtain and keep private property. Our nation has been built on the "Free Enterprise" system (or Capitalism) which allows for the private ownership of property be it land, merchandise, money or intellectual thought. For the Federal government to now dictate how or even if we can improve our property is wrong. At the local level, we the people through our locally elected officials should and must decide proper land use through zoning codes, building codes, etc. "One size fits all" mentality from the Federal government does not work. Local land issues must be dealt with locally in most cases. Any Federal Law that diminishes the private property rights of individuals without just compensation and due process is wrong.

3. Immigration

POSITION: I am for Legal Immigration into this country. Those who have entered this nation illegally, remain on expired visas, etc. must leave. I am not for amnesty for illegal immigrants. I do support individual worker visas, but not as a pathway to citizenship. Furthermore these worker visas should not entitle the workers to social security benefits or welfare benefits established for American citizens, nor should these visas be used to import extended family members into this country. I am not for rewarding those who knowingly hire illegal immigrants with tax incentives like other candidates have proposed. This nation was built by immigrants and this should continue. We must also control our borders.

4. Numeric Nutrient Standards - EPA actions - not just an Ag issue.

POSITION: The EPA has overstepped its authority on this one. The cost of implementing this will be in excess of $50 Billion on the conservative side and do little or nothing to improve the water quality in the state. The model for these numbers were based on the Kentucky Basin area not actual values and results from Florida. This must be stopped or the cost of implementation will crush our economy. Just like the Safe Drinking Water Act, the cost of compliance should not put an undue cost burden on the owners or citizens of our state. This is a State matter not one that needs to be dictated from the Federal Government.

5. The Clean Air Act - greenhouse gases regulation - permits required for operations. Not just an Ag issue.

POSITION: Since when did CO2 become a gas that was to be regulated by EPA or any other government agency? The very act of respiration produces CO2 which plants need for their life functions and in return the plants give off O2 for humans and animals to use. This "Man-Made" Global Warming is a HOAX and is another rouse for governmental control of individual liberty and capitalism. We certainly don't want poison spewing into the air, but industrial emissions have been improved over the years just like the waters have become cleaner. A little common sense is needed to remind people that we must be good stewards of our environment. Just recently we saw what one volcano in Iceland can do to shut down air travel and that was not caused by manmade greenhouse gases. Regulations have their place, but when those regulations impede our personal liberty and prosperity, the regulations must be re-evaluated.

6. The Trade Act

POSITION: Did this country not learn anything from Smoot-Hawley in 1930? When the US raises tariffs on imports, those countries affected tend to raise taxes on our exports. In today's world economy, isolationism does not work. We need to remain the world's leader in agriculture, industry and tourism. We have become that leader through capitalism not statism. The Trade Act will allow the Federal Government to decide which companies succeed or fail depending on politics not free markets. It is a way for the unions to control corporate decisions. There are already trade agreements in place that could be undone if the TRADE Act were passed. This Act is not about protecting jobs as much as it is about government control of industry or agriculture.

Please feel free to contact me about any of the above issues, as I feel some these may need further explanation. As a Candidate for Congress, I believe it is time that the Federal Government was reigned in to its enumerated powers, the rights of the individual are once again protected and we put an end to the "career politicians".

John Lindsey, Republican Candidate
US House of Representatives - District 12
Winter Haven, Florida