Below is an alphabetic list of issues and my stance on that issue. If you have a question about a subject you do not see here, please don't hesitate to contact me at patricia@patricialightner.com.

BUDGET DEFICIT / SPENDING
I believe we must implement a system of zero-based budgeting where every dollar in every program in every agency is examined on an annual basis for need, effectiveness, and cost. We cannot continue using the previous year's spending levels as a baseline. We must examine everything from entitlements to pork barrell spending.

I also strongly support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution. The last major push for this was in the 1990's, where it failed by just one vote in the United States Senate.

HEALTH CARE REFORM
I strongly supoort free-market based health care reform, including ideas such as medical savings accounts, tort reform, allowing insurance to be purchased across state lines, small business pooling, and other ideas which will increase competition, lower costs, and provide Americans more choice when it comes to health care.

I strongly oppose any steps towards socialized medicine and have pledged to repeal ObamaCare if it becomes law. For more on what I believe we should do if ObamaCare passes, read my Ask Patricia answer here.

IMMIGRATION
I firmly believe we must uphold the rule of law in this country, and as such, I believe we must enforce our laws against illegal immigration. In addition, our immigration policy is tied directly to national security. We must secure our border, build the fence, and make it clear that lawbreakers will not be tolerated.

I oppose all forms of amnesty and believe we must develop an immigration reform package that has at its core the concept of fairness -- meaning those who enetered who entered our country illegally must return to their home country and then re-enter the country behind those who have obeyed our laws. I also strongly support requiring businesses to use the e-verify system.

Furthermore, I support streamlining the legal immigration process so that those who do want to enter our country and be part of America legally can do so in an efficient manner. This itself will also deter illegal immigration.

Finally, I fully support the right of Arizona -- or any other state -- to enforce the rule of law.

LIFE
I am proudly pro-life, and believe in upholding the right to life from conception to natural death. A majority of Americans are now pro-life, a wonderful sign of the progress we’ve made in this important fight the last 36 years.

I held a 100% pro-life record while in the Kansas House of Representatives and that record will continue if I am elected to Congress. I oppose all federal funding of abortion and I believe Roe vs. Wade was wrongly decided. I also believe we must work to promote a culture of life, which means protecting the innocent, where we can, in law. It also means winning hearts and minds through the continued good work of charities and churches, and personal contact as well.

Though we must always be respectful of those who disagree with us, as your Congresswoman, I will be an advocate for the unborn as well as those who are in their last stages of life. That is my solemn vow.

For more on my pro-life record and how it contrasts with my opponents, please visit my Patricia's Pro-Life Record page for my specific votes and my column entitled "Rallying for Life".

MARRIAGE
I am a strong supporter of traditional marriage between one man and one woman. During my time in the Kansas Legislature, I supported an Amendment to the Kansas Constitution establishing marriage as between one man and one woman. I support the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, as I do not believe any state should be forced to recognize a gay marriage from a state that allows it. I also do not believe this issue should be decided by courts, but by the people and/or through state legislatures.

I also support efforts in the states to pass 'Covenant Marriage' legislation, which would give couples the option of entering into marriages where they are encouraged to stay together, therefore strengthening families long term. Click here for a link to my release endorsing these efforts in Kansas.

SECOND AMENDMENT
I am a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment. As your Congresswoman, I will side with those who want to ensure our liberty and that includes the right to bear arms, and I would oppose legislation that would take that right away. I have made it a key tenant of my campaign that we must protect our Constitution from those who seek to undermine it, and that includes the 2nd Amendment. For more information about my stance on the 2nd Amendment, read my response to an Ask Patricia question here.

TAXES
I believe we must reduce taxes, both on individuals and business. We will never achieve prosperity if we continue to stifle economic activity through high taxation. I believe the Bush tax cuts must be made permanent, and that any effort to increase taxes must be opposed. I have signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayer Protection Pledge and the AFP No Climate Tax Pledge.

TAX REFORM
I am a strong supporter of fundamental tax reform at the federal level. I am a supporter of the FairTax, provided that the income tax is repealed as are other forms of taxation. I am also open to other proposals such as a flat tax and other ways that will simply make our tax system fairer, flatter, and simpler. I believe anyone elected to Congress should keep an open mind as to the various proposals for tax reform.

WAR ON TERROR
I believe we must be very aggressive in the War on Terror, and that starts and ends with ensuring our troops have the support and equipment they need to do the job. I also support fully funding all necessary intelligence operations to help fight those who seek to destroy America and our allies. I believe we must stay vigilant in this endeavor, and I expanded on my thoughts in this area in my column entitled "Our Focus is Off".