I have known Mark Devol and his wife, Becky, for many years.  I taught their two girls karate for several years when they were younger.  Mark and Becky DeVol are both solid conservative Americans!  Mark is running for Congress in 2010 in the Third District of Tennessee.

Mark is a millwright and runs his own company, Devol Millwork.  He has, on occasion, employed some of the young men who passed through my dojo.  Becky is the treasurer for the Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department and home schooled their two daughters … who are now both junior volunteer firefighters.

Here are some of the positons Mark DeVol takes on his campaign website:

Government Reform

Mark supports Congressional Term Limits.  He supports reducing the size of the federal governmen, and generating  federal revenue through a Fair Tax.

Mark supports the creation of a 10th Amendment Commission to review the constitutionality of all federal agencies and programs under Section 8, and … returning the powers and responsibilities left to the states back to the states.  

He also supports the bill sponsored by John Shadeeg of Arizona that states that all bills introduced in the U.S. Congress must include a statement setting forth the specific constitutional authority under which the proposed law is being enacted.  Such a measure would force a continual re-examination of the role of the federal government and would certainly go along ways toward curtailing the evermore intrusive reach of the federal government.

Under Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the power to do 18 specific things.  They are:

• To lay and collect Taxes
• To borrow Money
• To regulate Commerce
• To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization
• To establish uniform Laws of Bankruptcies
• To coin Money
• To establish Post Offices
• To promote the progress of Science and useful Arts
• To establish a Courts system inferior to the Supreme Court
• To declare War
• To provide and  maintain a Military
• To make all Laws necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers

Mark believes the federal government should stick to doing just that.  

For my part, I find that I strongly agree with his position …

Homeland Security

Mark believes that the primary function of the federal government is to protect its citizens by providing for a strong national defense  

…. I absolutely agree!

Immigration

Congress is charged with the responcibility of securing the borders of this country and  Mark DeVol thinks they should do just that.  

I agree but would also like to see that tied to no amnesty for illegal immigrants … and temporary worker permits for honest migrant workers!

Energy

Mark supports energy independence and achieving this by increasing nuclear energy production, oil production and building modern oil refineries while our scientists work to continue developing alternative energy sources.  

Makes sense to me ….

Budget and the Economy

Mark supports a budget balanced by utilizing fiscally conservative principles, lowering taxes, and letting the American people decide where to spend their money  ….  Can I get an Amen!

Education

According to Mark, our education system must be able to meet the demands of a rapiding growing and prosprous economy.  He says that the fundamental concepts of  personal finance, basic economics, personal responsibility, and self-governence must be taught … all students must be given the right tools to succeed!  

 … sounds much better than teaching them to put condoms on a banana or that God is a myth to me!

Mark also supports increased salary and bonus for effective teachers and Tort reform  

Health Care

Mark points to Cover TN as a good  example of what works in health care.  He supports making all medical expenses tax exempt, allowing the purchase of health insurance on the free market, eliminating state mandates and allow purchasing of catastrophic insurance, allowing medicare patients to utilize their health savings accounts and to have optional coverage, and Tort reform

….  again, this just make too much sense!  But there is always someone one looking for handouts!

Social Security  

Mark wants to protect citizens who have paid into and rely on social security.  According to Mark, future generations should be educated to develop the financial skills and discipline to fund their own retirement

… can I please get another Amen!

I like it!  No political double talk … just sound American Principles and Values being reintroduced and put back to work!  

These are the very same Values and Principles that originally made this Country great … and that the enlightened progressive  left-wing liberals (or whatever you want to call them) have tried so hard to stamp out … rugged individuality, personal responsibility, freedom of opportunity, and the true American liberty to succeed …  or fail … with the freedom to try again!  

For more information about Mark Devol and his campaign, please visit his website at www.devol2010.com