Tom Campbell--The Experienced Politician

Tom Campbell was born in Chicago on August 14, 1952. Living in Chicago, he attended the University of Chicago pursuing a career in economic issues. He also acquired his B.A and M.A degree in economics. He later proceeded to law school, and soon after became a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron White for two years. Tom’s position as a politician was to support less government and individual liberty. He also believed that the federal government is spending too much money on unneeded issues . Starting in 1988, Tom was designated a California State Senator, and a director of Finance for the State of California. Presenting his outstanding work, the California Journal named Tom the “state Senate’s best problem-solver,” and was also seen as a prudent member of the 102nd congress. In 2002, tom was chosen to work at the University of California, Berkeley as a Dean of the Haas School of Business.

Jobs and the Economy
Tom Campbell blames past administrations for the economic mess we are in. He says that the main problems our economy faces are deficit spending, an expanding government, and rising unemployment. It cannot go on this way. He argues that the trillion dollar deficit is because of all the unnecessary government agencies and other programs that different administrations created. In order to reduce spending, these agencies must be destroyed. Rising unemployment also hurts the economy because people don’t have enough money to spend. Money and credit contract and are stuck because money is nor circulating. The government’s main concern should be in being more pro-business and creating jobs. The biggest problem of all, he argues, is the size of government. He says that government has grown so large and has come to over-regulate business. He says that businesses are chocked and cannot prosper. Thus, laws should be loosened to allow growth in our economy. He also believes that Americans should enjoy the best education in the world to have competitive services and products.

Healthcare Reform
Tom’s argues that the best thing to do due healthcare is to focus on the more needy areas. To reach out to the poor who cant afford insurance and prevent insurance for those who have pre-existing conditions. Some of Tom’s ideas are to use direct and indirect costs, help low-income Americans to get Medicare, no increase in cost to tax payers, no tax on employees, and no fines on individual citizens. He believes if his plan is going to be unsuccessful, then there will be an extreme damage in terms of freedom and cost. Overall, he planned to reduce health care costs and really reach out to the needy individuals and focus on them instead of the ones who would make it cost more for everyone.

Immigration
Tom Campbell is devoted to keeping the border between Mexico and the United States secure. He argues that illegal immigration drains the state of money that could be used in different ways, such as infrastructure and education. The border is also dangerous because of all the illegal weapons and drugs smuggling that takes place there. He argues that it’s in California’s best interest to deploy the National Guard to aid the Border Patrol in their efforts to capture illegal aliens. He also believes that a wall is necessary in deterring masses of people from crossing but he understands that it will not stop illegal immigration. He believes that people should be punished for breaking the law by coming here illegally. Kids that were brought to the U.S. illegally are not to be punished however, because they didn’t break the law knowingly. Amnesty should not be an option for all the millions of illegal immigrants. Instead, only those that contribute to the country and do not have a criminal record should be allowed to stay. Tom Campbell’s main arguments are to better secure the Mexico-U.S. border by using the National Guard and provide some sort of pathway for those that help our society to become legal.

[by Karen Robenko]