| TAXES |
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I support cutting taxes across the board for all Americans. Capital gains tax rates should be reduced and indexed for inflation, and the estate tax should be abolished. I believe we should reform and simplify the federal tax code to a single, simple rate of less than 20%, while protecting the core deductions for home mortage interests, and state and local taxes. I oppose all tax increases and will fight against them. I support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, as well as the Line Item Veto.
(Find out more about Grant Lally's views on taxes.)
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| CRIME
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It's time to finally get tough on crime. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that an American is murdered every 22 minutes, raped every 5 minutes, robbed every 60 seconds and assaulted every 28 seconds. The best deterrent to crime is the assurance that criminals will be caught, convicted and punished. Congress has a role to play in restoring common sense to criminal law. We need truth in sentencing, a reform of the appeals process, mandatory sentencing for violent crimes, and victim restitution. I support all efforts to put more police on our streets, and criminals in jail. I support the death penalty and more prisons to keep criminals locked away. Over the last 20 years, our Justice system has focused on the rights of criminals; it is now time to focus on the rights of law - abiding Americans.
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| WELFARE |
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Our country has wasted 4.7 trillion dollars building the failed welfare state. Government must reward work rather than fund dependency. Congress must rethink the entire welfare program and design a totally new program that helps move people from dependency to self-sufficiency. Welfare recipients must take personal responsibility for the decisions they make. I support real workfare so people can develop the pride and self-sufficiency that comes from holding a productive job. Recipients of assistance should not be penalized for saving money, owning assets, or being married. I will work to reduce welfare spending and will design workfare programs that empower individuals.
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| HEALTH CARE |
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The Clinton national health plan promised "combining the efficiency of the Postal Service with the compassion of the IRS and the cost accounting of the Pentagon." Residing in communities with the finest medical facilities in the world, we know there is a better way. I will only support health care reforms that are based on a free and competitive market. We should have a system for portablity, and tax deductions for individuals that purchase their own health care. I will support market-based reforms that will allow for the best rates and maximum choice for consumers.
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| SOCIAL SECURITY |
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The Social Security Trust Fund must remain fiscally sound to protect the retirement and other benefits of over 40 million Americans. I will actively support legislation that protects the Social Security Trust Fund from being raided by Congress. The Trust Fund is for the payment of benefits to Social Security recipients.
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| MEDICARE |
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I want to reform and preserve Medicare, to save the system dfrom bankrupcy. Failure to reform Medicare would cost the average household in our Congressional district $1,845 in payroll taxes. The Clinton Administration and the Congressional Democrats "Medi-Scare" strategy of frightening our seniors is a disgrace. Our nation truly needs Medicare reform. Failure to do so will bankrupt the system within six years. As your Congressman, I will not allow that to happen.
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| INTERNATIONAL TRADE |
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I support free trade that creates good, high - paying jobs. I will work hard to seek new markets and sell our goods everywhere in the world. International trade makcs up the backbone of our economy. Protectionist trade policies build walls around America, hurt our economy, and cost jobs. Any government that places restrictions on our products must be dealt with strongly by the United States.
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| FOREIGN POLICY & NATIONAL DEFENSE |
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From the killing fields of Bosnia to Tiennamen Square, I know the world is still a very dangerous place. When vital national security interests are at stake, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces must defend them. The United States must stand by our NATO allies, our allies in East Asia, and Israel. American soldiers should never fight under any United Nations flag. As your Congressman I will work to ensure that our military personnel and our flag remain the most respected power in the world.
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| EDUCATION |
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We need excellence in education. As a product of our public school system, I am a strong supporter of school choice. I firmly believe families should have the maximum options for the education of our children. Teachers should be paid on merit. Schools should be run by teachers and communities, without the intervention of larger governmental forces.
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| TRANSPORTATION |
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"As Congressman from Northeast Queens, I will propose federal legislation to stop the dangerous rerouting of airplanes over residential neighborhoods in Northeast Queens at the whim of the U.S.T.A.," declared Grant Lally, Republican candidate for Congress in the Fifth Congressional District. "Gary Ackerman has done nothing in Congress. I will overturn David Dinkins' ridiculous policy of favoring the U.S.T.A. over the residents and taxpayers of Northeast Queens."
Lally was referring to the deal struck up between the Dinkins Administration and the United States Tennis Association, which calls for the rerouting of airplanes away from Flushing Meadows and instead forces flight patterns over residential Northeast Queens neighborhoods.
"Airplanes should not be dangerously rerouted over our neighborhoods for the convenience of sporting events," Lally continued "The rerouting of planes over Flushing and Northeast Queens is a dangerous, dirty, noisy practice. This is unconscionable and must stop. I commend Mayor Giuliani for taking a strong position in defending Northeast Queens against the U.S.T.A."
I am standing with our Mayor defending our neighborhoods and the safety of our skies," Lally continued. "I am looking forward to a partnership with the Mayor on the federal level to protect Northeast Queens."
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