David Clements in Survey of 2014 Senate campaign websites
On Crime:
Support 4th amendment: freedom from unreasonable searches
With the threat of rising crime due to our crashing economy, it's more important than ever that our representatives be 100% committed to defending our right to keep and bear arms.
We need to send people to Washington who not only understand the 2nd amendment, but the entire Bill of Rights.
Gun rights advocates need to know that the 2nd amendment is only as good as the fourth amendment. If we are not free from unreasonable and warrantless searches, no one's guns are safe.
The 2nd amendment is very clear when it says that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
On Education:
Reduce taxes so families can pay for private schools
As the Federal Government has increased the size and budget of the Department of Education, deficiencies in test scores and student performance have become more prevalent. The quality of the education of our children has not been improved by the policies
of a structurally unaccountable, inefficient and unelected bureaucracy.Critical decisions should be made locally. This would allow parents, teachers and community leaders, instead of out-of-touch Washington bureaucrats,
to determine the most efficient use of resources.
While there is a need for state-funded public education, I firmly believe that education starts with the family.
Accordingly, I will support any measure that relieves the tax burden on all hard-working parents so they can allocate more of their own resources to alternatives such as home-school and private schools.
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
On Energy & Oil:
Lower energy costs by letting market decide what makes sense
Washington's bureaucratic regulations, bailouts, corporate subsidies and excessive taxation have made it virtually impossible for the market to produce new forms of cheap and clean energy. I will support a free market energy policy that will lower costs,
promote technological innovation, and reduce our dependence on foreign sources. Energy subsidies for oil, wind, electric or otherwise make little sense. Energy sources that truly meet the demands of consumers will thrive in the marketplace over time and
do not need government handouts to be viable. The Obama administration and Senator Tom Udall have a long record of sending government subsidies to failed programs like Solyndra and Abound Solar. The current approach leads to higher taxes, locks in old te
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
On Environment:
Stop federal regulations which take over farming & property
Whether it's our world famous green chile, thriving pecan industry, dairies or cattle ranches, New Mexico has one of the most diverse agricultural economies in the country. Our state's farmers and ranchers represent the best in innovation,
entrepreneurship and stewardship.The future success of New Mexico farmers and ranchers are endangered, however, when the government seeks to take over agricultural production with needless, uninformed and often overly burdensome regulations.
Similarly, the government must respect the private property rights of farmers and ranchers and empower them to make decisions about the most productive use of their principal asset, which is their land.
Decisions about how to run farms and ranches should not be made by out-of-touch bureaucrats in Washington.
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
On Free Trade:
Consumers should pick winners and losers, not government
Competition is central to a free market. Consumers, rather than the government, should be tasked with picking winners and losers. Government should facilitate an enhanced economic environment by making the tax code simple and regulations predictable.
Hard work should be rewarded. That means no more bailouts or special favors for companies and industries with powerful D.C. lobbies.
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
On Government Reform:
Bureaucratic intervention distorts economy
As a former business attorney, I have extensively researched the effects of monetary policy on the economy. When bureaucrats promote certain activities and sectors of the economy through the
Federal Reserve, subsidies, and bailouts, price signals are destroyed and market behavior is distorted. This creates a negative environment for people to engage in commerce, seek gainful employment and provide for themselves and loved ones.
The fundamental purpose of government is to protect each individual's inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
If society is to be free, then government must not dictate how individuals spend the fruits of their time and labor. Our representatives should protect our right to pursue the American Dream.
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
On Gun Control:
Right to bear arms protects all of our other rights
The right of the people to keep and bear arms is the best way to protect all of our other rights; it helps keep us safe and it can also be a great source of recreation. We must take the Second Amendment just as seriously as the rest of our rights as
Americans. Congress must stop practices which hurt these rights, including restrictions on the ability to purchase, transport, store, or possess arms on public lands or on an individual's private property.
As a U.S. Senator, I will work to improve gun rights and fight against inappropriate judicial tricks such as using the Commerce Clause to justify taking away our freedoms.
With the threat of rising crime due to our crashing economy, it's more important than ever that our representatives be 100% committed to defending our right to keep and bear arms.
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
On Health Care:
Replace ObamaCare with free market solutions
ObamaCare has created a hopelessly complicated medical system that benefits insurance companies and special interests, not patients. We need reforms that will reduce the real costs of health care, not regulations that reduce the 40 hour work week, or the
incentive to hire more workers.I believe in free market solutions, including the ability to sell policies across state lines. This would improve care and reduce costs by aligning the interests of patients, doctors, and hospitals.
We should also give consumers the freedom to transition away from the employer-based health care system. By allowing coverage to be tied to an individual, and not an employer, workers can keep their insurance in the event they change or lose their job.
As your senator, I will advocate for a sustainable health care system that allows patients and doctors to consider the costs and benefits of each decision. Together, we can restore America's health care system to again being the best in the world.
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
On Homeland Security:
Defend the missions of our military labs and bases
New Mexico has a storied history of being at the forefront of protecting our country and must continue to play a vital role in our national defense and related research. I am fully committed to fighting for and defending the missions of our labs & bases.
The defense of the nation against foreign military aggression is the most critical role the federal government possesses. In providing for the common defense, we must always maintain the most modern and efficient military, capable of a prompt and
overwhelming response to any attack on the United States. This power includes maintaining superior intelligence in the field, communication technology, and anti-ballistic missile capabilities that are suitable to detect and decisively counter any
strategic danger.
Senator Tom Udall has consistently failed to defend our installations. Udall played politics and chose not to vote for a bill that would have funded our labs and bases, leaving many hard working families in a state of uncertainty.
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
On Social Security:
Keep promises for seniors; significant reforms if younger
We must keep our promises to seniors and not change benefits for those who are currently receiving or soon will receive Social Security or Medicare. Individuals who have paid into these programs for much of their lives have made decisions based on
promised benefits, and those promises should be kept. For younger people, such as those in their 20s, 30s & 40s, these mandatory programs are unsustainable & unreliable. We must begin to phase in significant reforms for the benefit of future generations.
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
On Tax Reform:
Make the tax code simple and regulations predictable
Government should facilitate an enhanced economic environment by making the tax code simple and regulations predictable. Hard work should be rewarded. That means no more bailouts or special favors for companies and industries with powerful D.C. lobbies.
Senator Tom Udall has spent years helping special interest groups make millions at the expense of hard working New Mexico taxpayers. This cannot continue.
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
On War & Peace:
No executive War Powers; only Congress should declare war
Because the exclusive power of Congress to declare war must be respected, I oppose the exercise of executive War Powers in the absence of a Declaration,
except in the face of an immediate and direct threat to the United States. Executive reactions to imminent dangers must not be allowed to drag on without the express authorization of Congress.
I favor a clear strategy for entrance into and conclusion of any foreign engagement and a definable goal that constitutes victory, before putting our soldiers in harm's way and committing billions in tax dollars.
America's interests and sovereignty must always come first.
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018