THE PROPER ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
Jason believes that government exists by the consent of the people and must be restrained from intruding into the freedoms of its citizens. The function of government is not to grant rights, but to protect the unalienable, God-given rights of life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.
Jason also believes that citizens’ needs are best met through free enterprise, private initiative, and volunteerism. As such, the government should have little or no interference in the free market system.
PRIVATE PROPERTY
Jason recognizes the rights of individuals to own property. He is opposed to any effort by government to take private property without an overwhelming need for public use. As such, he strongly opposes the forfeiture of private property from innocent owners.
RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES
Jason opposes congressional, judicial, and executive abrogation of the principle that the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. He opposes unreasonable and intrusive federal mandates. Municipal, county, state and federal governments each have rights and duties that should not be infringed upon or usurped by other government entities.
ETHICS AND STANDARDS
Jason believes that honesty, integrity, morality, and accountability are mandatory virtues that should be expected of our public officials. Jason will work to expose and stop corruption in the Utah legislature.
NATIONAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
Jason supports a military force of sufficient strength and readiness to deter any threat to our national sovereignty or to the safety and freedom of our citizens. He supports the Constitutional mandate to protect and secure our national borders.
He opposes placement of United States troops under any foreign command, including the United Nations. He support lawful efforts of local law enforcement agencies to protect citizens in their homes and in their communities. He urges reform of the legal system to accomplish a swift and balanced administration of justice, including consideration of rights of the victim.
SELF DEFENSE
Jason supports the individual constitutionally-protected right of the people to keep and bear arms for security and defense of self, family, others, property, or the state, as well as for other lawful purposes. Jason encourages personal responsibility for the care and use of these firearms.
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
Jason claims freedom of religion for every citizen and expect the protection of government in securing to us this unalienable right. He affirms the right to religious expression, including prayer, in both private and public.
FAMILY VALUES
Jason recognizes the traditional family as the fundamental unit of society. He agree with the Utah State Constitution, Article 2, Section 29, where it affirms that “Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman.” He affirms that parents have the fundamental right and primary responsibility to direct the upbringing of their children and to provide nurturing care, discipline and training in moral values.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Jason believes in the right to life for both the born and unborn. He strongly oppose abortion, except to preserve the life of the mother. Jason believes the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed. He believe all human life is sacred regardless of age or infirmity, and therefore he opposes abortion and the public funding of any of this practice.
HUMAN SERVICES
Jason believes that the primary responsibility for meeting basic human needs rests with the individual, the family, and the voluntary charitable organizations. Jason recognizes, however, that there are special social needs which must be addressed through county human service programs. Jason supports requiring welfare recipients to work towards self-sufficiency.
HERITAGE
Jason recognizes the contributions made to our quality of life through ethnic diversity.
EQUAL RIGHTS
Jason believes that no individual is entitled to rights that exceed or supersede the God-given individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Utah.
EDUCATION
Jason believes that all children should have access to quality education. Parents have the primary right and responsibility to educate their children, and we support their right to choose public, private, or home education. Jason supports initiatives that promote equalization in public education funding. Jason encourages cooperative initiatives to help all Utahans become literate in English. Jason supports the prudent and profitable use of school trust lands. Jason supports all interest and dividends from the permanent State School Fund being distributed to each public school to improve student academic performance.
TAXATION
Jason accepts the necessity for limited taxation in order for government to perform and administer those services which meet essential public needs. However, he recognizes that the power to tax is also the power to control, and believes that the best way to control government is to strictly control the amount of taxes imposed on the people. Jason encourages further simplification of tax systems. After being elected to the Utah House of Representatives, Jason is committed to voting “no” on any bill that proposes to raise taxes in any way.
REGULATION
Jason recognizes that government regulation can be a major impediment to productivity and to competition. We must rely more on market forces and less on government. Regulatory power now exercised by the federal government must be eliminated or returned to state and local governments.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Jason believes that a strong, diversified economy based on a positive work ethic, a well trained and well educated work force, a business-friendly environment, and safe work place will help Utah compete in a world market place.
Deregulation and privatization promote a healthy economy. Government should not influence or compete in private markets. We are in servitude to the state when the state usurps the power to determine the value of our labor or our property. We believe that developing our human resources is essential to the future of Utah.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Jason appreciates the quality of our environment. Our air, water, and land are at the heart of our existence and must be protected through balanced management. Jason supports reasonable laws and volunteer efforts to improve air and water quality. Jason desires to seek responsible solutions to controversies surrounding uses of our wilderness. He seeks to aid in preserving the environment while serving the best interests of the citizens of District 36.
Jason opposes as unconstitutional the declaration by any President without approval from Congress of any large tract of land as a national monument. Jason calls on the Governor of the State of Utah to use the Constitutional Defense Fund and other resources at his disposal to bring any such declaration affecting Utah before the United States Supreme Court for reversal.
JURY
The jury is a fundamental institution of liberty, because it is the only anchor yet imagined by man by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution. The jury has the right and the authority to acquit if jurors feel justice will be served.
Welcome to the campaign website for Jason Epps, Candidate for Utah House of Representatives in District 36. On this site, you'll be able to learn about Jason and his positions, volunteer and contribute for the campaign, and you'll even have the opportunity to contact Jason directly in order to share with him your ideas and concerns about our state. Thanks for visiting, and don't forget to VOTE JASON EPPS on November 2, 2010!