Governing Philosophy

“Do less better.” The federal government would do well to adopt this motto. The focus of the federal government ought to be the strategic and long-term. This applies to issues both domestic and international.

At home, the federal government is charged with securing the homeland, insuring that the armed forces are trained and equipped to win decisively on future battlefields, and transforming intelligence forces to insure that they will be able to provide timely intelligence on present and emerging threats. The federal government is also responsible for orchestrating sound economic and trade polices that promote investment, stable markets, and job growth. This includes providing the necessary infrastructure – the skeleton – on which the muscles of a robust and resilient economy can develop; infrastructure both in the traditional sense (transportation, energy, public health) and an extended sense— a positive and business-friendly environment that is the combined product of monetary and tax policy, a well-functioning judiciary, and sufficient - but not stifling - oversight and regulation.

Overseas, the United States seeks to project power – economic, diplomatic and political – to shape the global environment in a manner that protects U.S. interests and the interests of her close and traditional allies. The U.S. should promote regional stability, encourage the development of liberal democracies and market economies, prevent and resolve conflict, and promote human rights.

Energy, health care, the environment, national defense, homeland security—these are matters that demand of the attention of the Congress. On the other hand, there are many important social issues that are best left to the States to hash out. The reach of the federal government now extends into areas that go far beyond the bounds envisioned by the original framers of the Constitution. We ought to resist the temptation to continue this trend. Much can be done better at the local level. State and local governments, those most closely connected with the People, ought to be the laboratories for education, local business development, and a good deal of social policy. Local decision-making affords the greatest flexibility, and therefore can lead to the best solutions.

I think it necessary here to devote a few words on a troubling subject; the polarized and highly charged political environment that now exists in Congress.

Once elected, I will strive to always serve the interests of the nation, New York State, and my constituents. I will faithfully represent all the citizens of the 21st Congressional District; not just those who from any one political party. It is absurd to believe that one party, or one governing philosophy, can have a monopoly on intelligence, morality, good ideas, or solutions to pressing and complex problems. Politics, properly pursued, ought to be less a blood sport and more a deliberative process in which opposing views on significant issues are presented, evaluated, compared and debated. Such a process, conducted in either the formal confines of a legislative body or in the broader public arena, ought to bring about - if not, through compromise, a solution - at the very least a qualitative transformation in the direction and substance of the debate; whether the subject is the war in Iraq, energy, the economy, healthcare, immigration and border security, or social security.

I will do my best to work with all Congressional colleagues to get things done—to effectively govern this country. Liberal, Conservative, Moderate-- these are terms that are losing their meaning and relevance. If you need to call me something, let it be a “Raleigh Democrat.”

-Tom Raleigh