STATES RIGHTS:

You probably heard about the child who was in trouble with the government for running a lemonade stand without proper licenses and permits.  Well they aren’t done yet.  The latest in craziness from Washington is in the form of a Department of Labor regulation regarding children of farmers doing chores on the farm.  Growing up in a rural state and on a farm teaches children incredible lessons.  Interacting with nature and watching the earth bring forth its bounty, working with and caring for animals teaches responsibility and respect for God’s creatures.  Doing chores teaches the value of work as well as the sense of accomplishment.  It teaches teamwork, cooperation and valuable skills which are sought after in the job market.  Not all of us live on farms but by having our children help with gardening and yard  work, washing dishes, cleaning and helping around the house can teach valuable lessons of responsibility and give our children a sense of accomplishment, value and ownership.  It takes time and effort to work with our children, training and teaching skills.  But it is not abuse.  Not teaching working with our children and teaching these valuable lessons borders on neglect.  Work is a wonderful thing.  Ben Stein had it right.  North Dakota has been richly blessed with energy resources as well s some of the most rich and productive land on the planet.  We top the nation and the world in the production of many agricultural commodities.  But far and away our most valuable resource is our children.  They are our future.  We can be proud of them.  Who would know better how to raise them than us?

RIGHT TO LIFE:

Life is precious at every stage.  Unborn, born or elderly.  I am solidly pro-life.  I believe that life begins at conception.  I oppose any government funding of abortion services and have pledged to vote against any state funds for abortion.  I will oppose any attempt of the government to diminish peoples value based on age or physical or mental capabililties.