Small scale is critical to local life, to the ability of local people to control what happens where they live.
Throughout my political career, I've believed in the concept of home rule. Some call it local control. Whichever phrase you use, the concept is the same - the best decisions are those made closest to those who will be impacted by the decisions.
We have to allow people in the states to make their own decisions, to get government agencies out of the way and let local people make decisions about what's best for them.
I think that's a question for South Carolin and the last thing they need is people from outside the state coming in and dictating how they should resolve that issue [about flag].
It's time to return our education policy back to local communities.
I have no political issues that I need to seek central authorities' advice on.
I would support a devolution of power out of Washington for education, health care, transportation.
The people who care the most about the folks in your community are living in the community. They don't live in Washington, D.C.
On principle, I always support the opinion of a population who express themselves through a referendum.
I resent the idea that somebody in Washington will protect our environment better than we can.
But the other notion is, we also believe that those folks closest on the ground that we're holding accountable for the results can decide, and ought to evaluate which programs get results.
As we continue to step up our investment in education, we must not sidestep our commitment to the principle of local control.
