I am personally against H.R. 3997, the Financial Stabilization Package.

After hearing from hundreds of constituents on this issue, I could not in good conscience support this legislation.

Specifically, we should all agree that a failure of our credit markets would be a great catastrophe, and I agree that the government does have a role in ensuring that the financial markets function soundly.

However, we cannot allow the American taxpayers to become the insurance policy for financial decisions that did not turn out as planned.

I believe there were viable alternatives to H.R. 3997 that should have been explored.

I am in support of a plan that would use more free market principles. Because I believe so strongly in the principles of the free market and the God-given right of freedom, I am opposed to this bill in its present form.

My concern is that today the government has forever changed the face of the American free market, one of the greatest strengths of our great country.