See where Mark stands on the issues important to the 5th District.

Fiscal Responsibility in Washington:  Mark’s top priority is to bring fiscal responsibility to Washington.  During the last 8 years, President Bush and Congress have squandered a $250 billion surplus and are now at a record $482 billion deficit with a debt to foreign sources approaching $10 trillion dollars.  THIS MUST STOP.  Our national security is at risk as long as we owe this huge debt to nations like China and Saudi Arabia.
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Tax Cuts:  First, we need to let the irresponsible Bush tax cuts expire which benefited only the wealthiest 5% of the people.  Then, once we have the budget balanced, we need to support the Democratic Tax Plan that will cut taxes for 95% of working Americans and their families.  This plan will not raise taxes on couples making less than $250,000 per year or on individuals making less than $200,000.  Under the Democratic Tax Plan, the typical family will pay tax rates that are 20% lower than they paid during the Reagan administration.

Committing to a REAL National Energy Policy:  For over 30 years the United States government has neglected to enact a national energy policy.  We must commit to a long term strategy to invest in and develop domestic sources of energy.  This should include cellulose based ethanol, natural gas reserves, clean energy sources like solar and wind, drilling available domestic oil reserves, clean coal technology and expanded research on making nuclear energy safer.  If we open up additional domestic oil reserves offshore and in ANWR we must mandate 2 things.  The oil industry must be required to Drill NOW and lease royalties must be reinvested into alternative fuel research and development.
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Health Care Reform:  The American people want action on health care reform now.  I propose that we take the first step of offering a national insurance purchasing pool that individuals and small businesses can voluntarily participate in.  Once it is proven that the federal government can effectively collect premiums and pay claims then, the next step to universal health care can be taken.
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Iraq War:  We must continue withdrawing our troops with the goal to end the military occupation of Iraq as soon as possible.  Even the Iraq government is asking for the exit of our troops and they are ready to come home.
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Military Policy:  The next President and Congress must set the goal to define a new military policy.  First, we must rebuild our military strength by investing in the equipment and weapons needed to properly arm and protect our troops.  Second, we must set a standing policy that the United States military is to first and foremost protect the United States and, when needed, work in cooperation as a multinational force to protect our allies and our international interests.  Finally, our military should be used to fight necessary conflicts, not as a long term occupation security force. 
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Economic Conditions in the 5th District:  There is clear data showing that the citizens of the 5th Congressional District do not have the same opportunities that other areas of Pennsylvania and the United States enjoy.  15 of the 17 counties in the 5th district are over 5% unemployment and Census Bureau statistics show that median income in the 5th district is almost $12,000 less on average than the rest of the United States.  This is why our young people are leaving the 5th district and never coming back.  As a member of Congress, I will work on this problem as a partner with our state level officials, county commissioners and local and regional economic development agencies to turn these trends around once and for all.  We will begin a Rural Renewal of the 5th district.
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2nd Amendment Rights:  I fully support Second Amendment rights guaranteed to law abiding citizens.  Another important aspect of supporting Second Amendment rights is recognizing the positive impact that outdoor sports has on our regional economy.  Sportsmen both local and from far away pump millions of dollars annually into the economy of the region.  As a member of Congress, I will fight to protect Second Amendment rights for individuals and I will fight to protect these rights for our regional economy and the many businesses that rely on outdoor sports and gun enthusiasts.
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Illegal Immigration:  The issue of illegal immigration is one that has a profound impact on our society and economy.  While these people are coming into the United States seeking a better life it is unacceptable that they are breaking our laws.  We must insure that our borders are made secure and we must properly fund the I.N.S. so they can investigate, capture and deport all illegal aliens.
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Allegheny National Forest:  I will support reasonable policy when it comes to the great treasure that is the Allegheny National Forest.  We must recognize that the Allegheny National Forest is important on many fronts including as a resource to drive the regional economy.  We must bring all sides into the discussion to insure that the resources are being used wisely while at the same time protecting the Allegheny National Forest for future generations.
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Support for Farming and Agriculture:  We must recognize how important our farming and agriculture is to our nations security.  In the 5th District alone, our farming community is the most important, but probably least recognized, part of our economy.  There are two important areas I feel we must invest in to protect and enhance the future for the farming and agricultural industry.

First, we must invest more in agricultural education programs in our public school systems.  We must make sure we are training young people to be involved in farming.

The second important issue that must be addressed on a national level is farmland preservation.  As we've grown as a nation, farmland has disappeared and once it's gone, it will be hard, if not impossible, to ever restore.  We must protect and preserve our existing farmlands and plan for the needs of future generations.
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I-80 Tolling:  As Clearfield County Commissioner I’ve been involved in the opposition to the tolling of I-80 since day one.  As a member of Congress, I will continue to oppose the tolling of I-80.
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Social Security:  The Social Security system must be maintained and strengthened for all future generations.  It is one of the greatest initiatives the federal government ever enacted for the citizens of this nation.  I believe we must constantly review data and population trends and Congress must enact legislation to fund Social Security as far into the future as we can project.  I fully oppose any plan to allow private accounts as this will gut the system that is already in a fragile condition.  If the private accounts were to fail, it is more than likely the federal government would have to pick up the tab to cover the retirements of those who invested in private accounts.
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Public Education / NCLB:  I will support the repeal of No Child Left Behind and return to a system of state and local standards.  The Bush experiment to program our nation’s public school students with a “one size fits all” set of standards has been a dismal failure and must be repealed.
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Employee Free Choice Act:  As a member of Congress, I will support the Employee Free Choice Act.  It is time to put our working people first over executive bonuses and profit margins.
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