The Issues

Find out how returning Merrill Cook to Congress can get us on the right track with the National Economy, Illegal Immigration, Health Care, Iraq, Education, Federal Spending and Lobbying Reform.

THE NATIONAL ECONOMY Watch Video

Lower taxes and improved international trade agreements are vital to restoring a prosperous and vibrant economy.

Taxes Watch Video

With a weakening economy looming, it is more important than ever that Congress commit to a vastly simplified tax system and make the Bush tax cuts permanent. It is also vital that we eliminate the Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT), which causes many middle income Utahns to pay higher taxes than they should. Until Congress eliminates the AMT altogether, it should “patch” the AMT so that more and more middle income Utahns are not forced to pay ever higher taxes. Thanks to every Republican and 70% of Democrats in Congress voting for the “Patch,” a $50 billion per year tax increase ($250 million per year on Utahns alone) was recently avoided. It is very disappointing that our incumbent Congressman joined with the most liberal Democrats in Congress to vote against the AMT “Patch” and allow a huge tax increase to potentially take place. It is equally disappointing that he voted against making the Bush tax cuts permanent. My leadership as Utah’s strongest voice over the past 20 years for tax limitation and tax reform is needed once again in the Congress to bring lower taxes to stimulate economic activity and bring relief to Utah’s struggling families. I am proud of my 100% favorable rating from the National Taxpayer Union Foundation for my performance in Congress.

Trade Watch Video

U.S. trade deficits, particularly with China, have hit all-time records--over $2 billion per day! The incumbent has been an ardent supporter of initiatives like NAFTA, CAFTA, and the most-favored nation status for China--initiatives that have depressed American wages and triggered massive layoffs. While I am an ardent supporter of free and fair trade, I am adamantly opposed to treaties and trade agreements that compromise our national sovereignty or produce an unfair advantage for foreign business interests. While in Congress I consistently fought such measures.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION Watch Video

We asked the Congress to end illegal immigration, and Congress failed. Both political parties failed. Illegal immigration will end only when we secure our borders and seriously penalize employers who hire illegal, undocumented workers. Amnesty proposals, just like those of the 1980s, will only spur massive additional illegal immigration. It is disappointing that our incumbent Congressman has earned a career rating of F- for his support of “amnesties” from the respected anti-illegal immigration group, Americans for Better Immigration. I will be a strong voice and a reliable vote to end illegal immigration.

HEALTH CARE Watch Video

We asked the Congress to do something about skyrocketing health care costs, and Congress failed. It is imperative that we start making real progress on private sector incentives to lower costs, similar to the reform plans offered by the Republican Study Group, of which I was a leading member during my tenure in Congress. Again, it is disappointing that our incumbent congressman's health care votes are increasingly showing preference for what is becoming known as an "Obamacare/Hillarycare" movement toward a socialized Canadian-type system.

IRAQ Watch Video

Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain is right that the Iraq “surge strategy,” recommended and being brilliantly carried out by General David Petraeus, is showing real success. Utahns overwhelmingly want America to succeed in Iraq, to have our brave troops return home with honor, and to leave with stability, not chaos, in Iraq and the greater Middle East. Our incumbent Congressman showed a lack of foresight and wisdom in the spring of 2007 when he voted against the Petraeus surge strategy. It put him in concert with Senators Obama and Clinton and their “cut and run” strategy. I will be a strong voice and a reliable vote for victory, not defeat.

EDUCATION Watch Video

I have always fought to keep education controlled at the local level by those most invested in the success of our children—parents and teachers. I respect that it was President Bush's idea, but No Child Left Behind was a mistake, a very costly and burdensome one. It delivered mandates and then neglected to provide the resources necessary for carrying them out. I want to repeal No Child Left Behind and return curriculum and evaluation standards to the local level where they belong. If I can't get repeal, I will work to gain relief for teachers and administrators from the more objectionable and taxing provisions of the law. I will be a strong voice and a reliable vote to get education back under the local control of parents and teachers and to ensure that our teachers have the resources and support they deserve.

FEDERAL SPENDING Watch Video

The sad fact is that, in recent years, our Republican Party has been derelict in reigning in federal spending. Now more than ever, we must demand from our federal government a solid recommitment to fiscal discipline and a balanced budget. We must again be the party of reform; we must end earmarking as we know it by embracing an immediate earmark moratorium. As examples of gross overspending, the No Child Left Behind bill and the Prescription Drug Benefit will add $1 trillion to our national debt in only five years. The incumbent voted for both bills. I would have voted against them. I want to rejoin my fellow conservative Republicans in the House who are pushing for $650 billion in cuts over the next five years by controlling entitlements and overhauling the Departments of Education, Commerce, and Energy.

LOBBYING REFORM Watch Video

Lobbyists are increasingly engaging in the practice of joining congressional staffs on a temporary basis, only to return quickly to their lobbying firms with an inflated ability to influence officeholders. It is a nefarious development. It is imperative that congressional offices be free of this kind of influence peddling so that constituents remain the central focus. I supported the law requiring a waiting period of one year before congressmen can go to work as lobbyists. I advocate a similiar law that would require a year's wait before lobbyists can work on congressional staffs. I will be a strong voice and a reliable vote to reduce corruption in government.