Rick Eaton is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 13 of Florida.  He is 41, single, and enjoys drag racing, shark fishing, and restoring the environment.  Eaton served in the U.S. Air Force for several years and then was employed in the trucking industry.  Mr. Eaton grew up in the area.  Eaton indicates that he is different from the Incumbent candidate, Vern Buchanan, because he is not working for re-election, and Eaton is a problem solver.  Eaton decided to run for Congress because he, like many others, are frustrated with the government's wasting of money and not making a difference in people's lives.

On the issues . . .

Abortion - Eaton believes this issue is a person's choice; the government should not deal with this.  Abortion is individual freedom, and the government should not act like it owns people, thinks Eaton.  Eaton does not like an overregulation of its citizens.

Budget and Taxes - Eaton sees a massive amount of waste in Washington.  He would work to eliminate waste and gridlock.  Eaton wants to see what is truly needed from a budget.  Eaton also thinks you cannot over tax persons, especially now when incomes are low.  Eaton would also like to see corruption cut.

Crime - Eaton believes crime is associated often times with education or lack there of, as well as with other social issues.  Eaton believes strongly in education to bring persons up to become self-sufficient.  As to the court system, Eaton thinks that there should be appropriate punishments for certain crimes.  Eaton thinks that communities should work with law enforcement to address criminal issues, as well.  Eaton wants to see an end to prisons that are operating for a profit, as that is a misaligned incentive for unnecessary prosecutions.

Disaster Preparedness and Relief - Eaton feels this is something that needs to be worked on, especially in light of the recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill.  Eaton thinks the response to this oil leak has been a joke, and that there have not been sincere efforts to contain the spill.  Eaton believes that in this particular oil spill that the companies involved ignored proper technology and the Federal Government did not enforce regulations to ensure safety.  He reminds readers that the oil spill in Alaska has never truly dissipated after 20 years. 

Environment - Eaton, as an outdoors person and fisherman, sees the environment firsthand.  Eaton believes the environment has been majorly violated, and that the Federal Government must work with local governments to clean up the environment, restore water quality, create green buffer zones, limit pesticides, and concentrate on restoration.  Eaton reminds people that we all have a part to play in saving the environment.  Eaton comments that Representative Vern Buchanan constantly voted against environmental improvement, except for off shore drilling in Buchanan's District. 

Foreign Affairs and Defense Issues - Being a veteran, Eaton thinks there should be more firm diplomacy with countries.  He is a believer in a strong military, but Eaton would like to see better plans for going into wars and staying in them.  Eaton thinks that recently there have been endless military operations with no clear plans.  Eaton realizes that terrorists do not fight conventional warfare, and they must be dealt with differently.  Eaton believes in having a strong military to keep peace, but not being the world's policemen, because America cannot afford it.

Gun laws - Eaton believes in the right to bear arms in conjunction with the U.S. Constitution.  Eaton does think that gun crimes should be heavily prosecuted.  Again, Eaton stresses the need for jobs in communities to try and hinder the need or use for guns. 

Health Policy - In a civilized society health care must be available to everyone, believes Eaton.  As for Obama Care, Eaton would like to make it better and move forward with a healthcare plan, especially in making it financially sound.  Eaton is in favor of closing huge gaps in health care coverage .  Eaton would like to see communities and local governments and other players in healthcare to come up with what is best. 

Illegal Drugs - The current war against drugs is now a huge waste of money thinks Eaton.  Eaton sees America as not dealing with symptoms of drug use, such as not having jobs, etc.  Drug use is often to deal with social issues, thinks Eaton.  Eaton is not in favor of using a military mission to destroy another country's illegal drug crop.

Immigration - Eaton is in favor of immigration reform.  Immigrants need to be in America legally, thinks Eaton.  Eaton would like to see better management of immigration because America needs to know who is in this country for security reasons, believes Eaton.

Law and Civil Rights - Eaton is opposed to discrimination.  Eaton sees an ineffective use of the legal system currently in pushing too much paperwork instead of dealing with real and important legal and civil rights issues. Persons need to be heard in court even if it is through self-representation - the court system is too sophisticated to allow persons to get heard, thinks Eaton.  Eaton states, "people need to take our country back  - it's not the decision of people anymore."  Because of politicians causing a divide, issues are not being dealt with on all levels, thinks Eaton. 

Race and Ethnicity - Eaton would like everyone to live a good life with no prejudice.

Same-sex marriage - Eaton supports personal freedoms.  If citizens want to get married then it is not the government's role to legislate it, thinks Eaton.

Energy - Eaton believes there has not be an energy policy - in essence, America has not progressed since President Carter in having an energy policy.  Florida and other states have a great ability to produce energy in a clean manner, like solar.  Eaton would like to see new technologies developed to produce energy.  The current energy policy is undirected and unfocused, stresses Eaton.  Eaton thinks that not only small business should be supported in developing energy technology, but the Federal Government needs to step up in its programs to develop same.

Campaign Motto - "Been to War, and knows the Score."

Advice to the President - Eaton provides the following advice to President Obama - 1.  Stick to convictions; 2.  Be fearless; 3.  Do not give into special interest; and 4.  Do the right thing and stick to it.