Mr. Markum has received several questionnaires from various political action committees (PACs) and interest groups. His answers to all the completed questionnaires are here. Issues Economic Development Small businesses are the backbone of Oklahoma.  Millions of taxpayer dollars are spent each year, with very little success, trying to entice selected businesses to move to or upgrade their plants in Oklahoma.   All the while they refuse to enact meaningful lawsuit and workers compensation reform and remove regulations and taxes that hinder growth. Government can only create jobs that cost taxpayer money; officials, bureaucrats, staff, etc. True job creation is a function of the free market system. Jobs will be created when small business owners can keep and invest their money in their business, not to subsidize someone else’s. Jobs will naturally flow to states that have the friendliest business environment.  As your Representative Ron Markum will see that government provides a level playing field for all businesses, free of force and fraud. Education “Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.”  1789, Northwest Ord. Education is absolutely vital to a free society. Education encompasses more than simple knowledge of facts. Rural Oklahoma is blessed with many teachers who still teach and exhibit moral responsibility. When parents have financial control of their child’s education, they will make sure their students get the best education money can buy. Returning to tried and true teaching methods and curriculum will increase test scores.  Increased spending has failed to produce the promised results. As your Representative, Ron Markum will return control of the educational system to local parents and schools.  By funding the student instead of the system, schools will have the means and motive to produce excellence. Taxes Taxes are necessary to provide the limited, vital functions of government.  However when government takes on extra responsibilities and programs, average citizens and businesses are stuck with the bill. Taxes should not redistribute wealth. Tax money should fund police, fire protection, the justice system, the military and vital public functions. In Oklahoma, the educational system is a constitutionally defined public function. Property ownership is a fundamental right in a free society.  When people can’t own property, because of ever increasing property taxes, there will be no freedoms left.  As your representative, Ron Markum will not spend taxpayer money for someone ’s “good idea” or pork barrel project.  It’s time to eliminate the “death tax, the Oklahoma income tax and gradually start overhauling the system created over the last 80 years by tax and spend liberals. Family America is founded upon Judeo-Christian principles that describe the family as the fundamental building block of society.  When the family is on shaky grounds, society can’t help but follow.  Attempts to redefine marriage are an attack on the conservative, biblical values that Oklahoman’s hold dear. God set the definition of Marriage. Man hasn’t the authority to redefine it, only acknowledge it.  “We hold these truths to be self evident,” marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Parents are responsible for their children not government.  As your representative, Ron Markum will champion parental responsibility by returning to the teachings that produced this great nation.