Issues

As a clinician I can tell you that homelessness is intrinsically linked to addiction.  The current housing first model says that the problem is housing. This is just not true.  California has spent $25 Billion over the past five years on housing and the problem is worse now than when we started.  The solution to the homelessness problem is simple to solve, if you have the political will and courage to focus on the core issues and not the political narrative that has brought nothing but failure.

1. Admit that housing first is a failed policy and focus on the root causes of homelessness, which is addiction.

2. We must demand enforcement of basic laws regarding public safety and quality of life and then be willing to enforce those laws.

3. Be ready to spend a great deal of time and treasure to provide treatment options for 175,000 homeless on the streets of California.  

As the Mayor of El Cajon, I have not allowed camping on the streets for five years now. We remove over 100 tons a year of homeless debris each year.   El Cajon leads the way in compassionate treatment by providing more treatment options and bed space per capita than any city in the county. 

We must take decisive action to secure our borders and ensure that only those who meet the legal qualifications for asylum are allowed to remain. The unprecedented number of individuals crossing the border poses significant challenges that could have lasting consequences for future generations. While many seek refuge, we must also acknowledge the risks posed by criminal organizations, terrorists, and other dangerous individuals who exploit this situation.

Every day, we are confronted with news reports of crimes and tragic incidents involving those who have entered the country illegally. Meanwhile, states like California are allocating billions of dollars to provide housing, healthcare, education, and social services for non-citizens, often at the expense of addressing the needs of our own communities.

There is also a growing and urgent concern about the push for non-citizen voting. Several municipalities across the U.S. have already begun allowing non-citizens to participate in local elections, undermining the foundational principle that voting is a privilege of citizenship. This shift threatens to erode the very integrity of our democratic process. Allowing non-citizens to vote could dramatically alter the political landscape, diminishing the voice and influence of legal citizens. This is a matter that demands immediate attention and strong opposition to protect the rights and representation of our nation’s citizens.

Inflation has reached a 40-year high, yet those who have been in power for the past four years insist that the economy is thriving. They claim there’s nothing to be concerned about. However, the reality for most Americans tells a different story. In fact, 82% of Americans believe the economy is struggling, and 75% of the people in our district feel the country is headed in the wrong direction. It’s not hard to understand why. Over the past four years, the cost of essential goods and services such as groceries, gas, electricity, rent, cars, and entertainment has risen significantly.

While wages have increased, they have not kept pace with the soaring costs. As a result, many Americans have exhausted their savings and are now living paycheck to paycheck, relying on credit cards to make ends meet.

The root cause of our inflationary crisis lies in government policies, which means the solution also rests in government action. Excessive regulations and government oversight have driven prices up across the board. Radical environmental policies have further inflated costs, and the burdens placed on homebuilders are passed directly to consumers. Small businesses, which account for 70% of American jobs, are being pushed to the brink by overwhelming taxation and regulation. Meanwhile, American manufacturing has been driven overseas, leaving domestic industries struggling.

Additionally, Americans are being told to move out of suburban areas, live in densely populated cities, forgo car ownership, and give up the dream of homeownership—all to conform to an agenda that prioritizes state control over individual freedom.

The good news is that these issues can be addressed with sound policy. Unfortunately, the current leadership appears more focused on pursuing radical social experimentation than on solving the real economic challenges facing our country. Politicians may claim that these problems are too complex to fix, but history shows otherwise. In the past, America has proven its ability to build a thriving economy. It’s time to return to policies grounded in common sense—policies that put the well-being of the American people at the forefront of government action.

The United States shares a unique and profound relationship with Israel, one that is unparalleled with any other nation. This bond is based on a combination of practical, historical, and emotional factors. Practically, the two countries are aligned on issues such as national security, economic collaboration, and shared democratic values. Historically, the relationship is shaped by the need to distinguish between propaganda and historical truths, particularly regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict. Emotionally, the connection between the U.S. and Israel is rooted in a common commitment to peace, liberty, self-determination, and the strength of the individual.

My personal support for Israel began at age 13, after reading Exodus by Leon Uris. That book opened my eyes to the persecution the Jewish people faced, and I became determined to learn more about the Holocaust and World War II. This sense of justice continued throughout my life, influencing my work as Mayor of El Cajon, where I developed strong ties with Jewish leaders and organized pro-Israel events. In 2021, I led a rally against antisemitism, where Mike Pompeo spoke, along with other state and local outspoken supporters of Israel.

Western values, particularly democracy, unite the U.S. and Israel in a region dominated by regimes hostile to these ideals. Israel, like the U.S., stands as a beacon of liberal democracy in the Middle East, opposing totalitarianism and terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. These groups, supported by Iran, pose significant threats to Israel's existence. Iran’s ambitions, including its nuclear aspirations, are a critical concern not just for Israel but for the U.S. as well. Maintaining sanctions, cutting Iran’s petrol funding, and presenting a credible military threat are essential strategies to curb these dangers and uphold the U.S.-Israel alliance.

Economically, the U.S. and Israel benefit from a strong partnership, with Israel investing billions in American industries, including technology, defense, and healthcare. The U.S. financial aid, especially the $4 billion annual commitment under the Obama administration, is crucial for Israel’s survival and the preservation of democracy in the Middle East. The alliance between the U.S. and Israel goes beyond mutual economic interests; it represents a stabilizing force in an increasingly dangerous world, with shared enemies and a shared mission to uphold democratic values and security.