Ryan A. Hilliard
Ryan's Contract
Truth in Government
In 2009 alone state legislators passed over $990 million in tax increases, which included a sales tax increase and an income tax surcharge. The same bill also reduced spending slightly, but this was mainly window dressing. For example, 2,191 state jobs were cut, but most of these positions were not even currently filled.
Ryan did not grow up seeing political office as a career path. He is a concerned citizen with a business background who wants to make a difference. He sees our state heading in the wrong direction, and he wants to help change our path before it is too late.
Ryan has talked to citizens all across the district, and he has listened. Ryan has sensible, common sense ideas to spur economic growth in the private sector, reduce the tax burden, and protect your freedoms against the over-reach of government.
Unlike some political figures with a self-serving agenda, when Ryan goes to Raleigh to represent the 23rd district, you can count on him to fight for common sense principles and the well-being of the citizens, not bigger government at all costs. We need new leadership in Raleigh. Together we can make it happen in 2010!
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Why am I running for state senate?
Whether it is stubbornness, a fanatical commitment to ideology, corruption, or addiction to power, our current leaders have proven they don’t see the handwriting on the wall. The USA as a nation will fail to exist for our children and grandchildren as it has for our parents and grandparents if we don’t right the course of this great nation. We must not burden our citizens with over-taxation, over-regulation, and a spending policy that while sometimes noble in intention, is unrealistic in practice. What we have been given is a recipe to turn a once free, thriving, land of the free into a slow growth, stagnant, European welfare state. This is not the kind of change the American people want, plain and simple.
Our leaders need to show some leadership, or be replaced. It is time to stop settling for excuses, for broken promises, and for good intentions.
North Carolina and the United States of America need government that doesn’t stand in our way, or tries to “save” us with more regulation and taxes. Instead, we need a return to government that removes the unnecessary burdens it has placed on individuals and business. The Founding Fathers of our country authored a brilliant document, the U.S. Constitution, that limited government and put power in the hands of the people. Over the last 100 years our government has increased in scope to the level of Great Britain, the exact system the first Americans were attempting to escape. That is why it is no surprise grassroots movements like the Tea Party have appeared in recent years to protest this trend. Americans do not want to have their freedoms limited and their liberties curtailed regardless of how the policies are branded. Platitudes and hyperbole might make good campaign speech material, but the time has come to cut spending, cut taxes, stop the political games and excuses, and allow Americans to pursue the American dream without government on our backs.
Twice as many Americans identify themselves as conservative versus liberal in poll after poll. Any politician who thinks a majority of North Carolinians or Americans support heavy-handed government is either in denial or just not paying attention. We realize big government is a road to ruin. Our Founding Fathers realized big government is a road to ruin. It is time to elect leaders who also realize big government is a first-class ticket to bankruptcy.
I urge everyone to demand a return to responsible, constitutional leadership. You can make a difference, and it starts with the 2010 election cycle. The fate of our great state and nation depend on it…
Ryan has a reputation for honesty and calling it as he sees it. His committment to you is the contract below.Ryan's Contract With Orange and Person Counties
Jobs: Ryan knows how important job creation is to all North Carolinians. Putting North Carolina back on track will be Ryan's top priority.
How does he plan to accomplish this? By working for the following:
Taxes: Lower taxes empower people to have greater control over their everyday lives. Who can spend your money better, you or politicians in Raleigh? Ryan believes you can.
High taxes are not necessary to providing the services of responsible government. They are only necessary to pay for wasteful spending. High taxes hurt economic opportunity by driving away business and discouraging companies to hire more employees. High taxes along with burdensome regulation make it difficult for companies in North Carolina to compete, which results in fewer private sector jobs.
Low taxes are a key to limited government, economic prosperity, and freedom. Individuals should be keeping more of the money they earn. Ryan will fight for you to keep more of your money when elected.
Ryan will work to:
1. Reduce state income tax
2. Reduce sales tax
3. Reduce the gasoline tax
4. Introduce new ideas to reduce the overall tax burden
5. Not vote for any tax increases
Spending: At the federal and state level we have seen government try "stimulus" spending with little or no results. While Democrats often talk about jobs, what they don't mention is we need private sector jobs, not short term government jobs or increased bureaucracy. Companies and people create jobs, not government. Cutting spending will allow us to lower taxes and still operate a balanced budget.
Ryan will work to:
1. Cut spending in non-essential areas
2. Eliminate programs and bureaucracy that do not work
3. Operate under a balanced budget
Regulation: The unemployment rate has been above 10% since February 2009. There is no doubt among leading economists that high taxes and needless red tape contribute to the jobless rate. It is time to reduce regulation that serves no tangible purpose, and unleash business to grow and flourish.
Ryan will work to:
1. Fight unnecessary regulation
2. Work to create a pro-private sector environment in North Carolina
Private Property Rights: The right to own property is a fundamental tenant of the United States of America. This right must be protected against politicians who believe these rights can be suspended when government sees fit.
Ryan will work to:
1. Fight against government abuse of imminent domain property seizures
2. Stop forced annexation without representation
Health Care: The health care debate has dominated the national scene for the better part of last year and has carried over into this year as well. Why do some politicians ignore the simple steps we can take to improve our health care system, while focusing on government solutions that Americans clearly do not want? In North Carolina we can take steps to make our system work better for patients and doctors alike.
Ryan will work to:
1. Enact tort reform to reduce legal abuse that leads to higher insurance costs.
2. Push for malpractice reform for doctors, which will lead to a reduction in "defensive" care and ultimately lower insurance costs.
3. Better, lower cost insurance options that come from increased competition, tort reform, and better protections for doctors.
Education: Our education system is too focused on government control and not focused enough on students. A new direction is needed that puts students first, and gives parents more choices. Our tax dollars should go to providing students with the very best education, not needless bureaucracy, social engineering, or a political agenda.
Ryan will work to:
1. Fight for a transition from government dominated education to taxpayer funded education where parents and students have greater control and choice, and resources are not wasted.
2. We all know that competiton breeds success, yet Democrats have fought against voucher programs and teacher accountability to the detriment of our children and their education. Ryan will push for increased access to private school options in the form of a voucher program to give parents and students a choice.
3. Return to a common sense-based education system that moves power away from government, encourages home schooling, private schools, and other forms of education alternatives that promote competititon and choice.
4. Eliminate spending that does not directly benefit the students, and make resources tied more directly to each student, so parents can have greater control over their child's learning opportunities.
5. If we spend our tax dollars more wisely parents, students, and teachers all benefit.
People With Disabilities: I have a 14 year old brother named Austin who has cerebral palsy. He is in the picture with me above. Although Austin is very limited in his abilities, he is the best brother I could imagine and I love him very much. I have witnessed first hand the obstacles and challenges children and adults with disabilities face in North Carolina, and I know we can do better.
Ryan will work to:
1. Improve the education system for children with disabilities
2. Bring the challenges of people with special needs to the public forum
The 2nd Amendment (and individual freedoms): Keeping and bearing arms is a constitutional right. Any effort to infringe or limit this right for law abiding citizens is just as unconstitutional as limiting other rights such as the right to free speech.
Ryan will work to:
1. Protect our constitutional right to bear arms
2. Defend citizens against government infringement of individual liberties
Abortion: The Declaration of Independence decrees our right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". There is no mention in the U.S. Constitution or North Carolina Constitution of a right to abortion.
Ryan will work to:
1. Promote pro-life policies
2. Reduce abortions in North Carolina
Environment: Ryan travels to all parts of North Carolina on a regular basis, and greatly appreciates the natural beauty of our great state. However, there is a delicate balance that must be struck between protecting the environment and having government over-regulate business and private property.
Ryan will work to:
1. Protect the environment in a responsible, common sense way.
The University of North Carolina: As a proud graduate of UNC, Ryan values the great education provided by one of the best public institutions in the world. UNC brings resources, opportunities, and prestige to the 23rd district.
Ryan will work to:
1. Help maintain UNC's place as North Carolina's flagship university, and as a top-notch public university nationally.