Mark E. Green

Strongly Agree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Agree

2010 Republican Primary, 2012 General Election, 2012 Republican Primary, 2014 General Election, 2014 Republican Primary, 2016 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary

As an emergency medicine residency-trained physician I was taught the best way to save an unborn child is to save the mother. Physicians facing the decisions in time of crisis make the medical decision to save the mother first because it’s the best way to save the child. The question is about the humanity of the child, and I clearly believe life begins at conception. Physicians forced to choose between the two—an unimaginable scenario in my training— should have the ability to make that call in the heat of the trauma or life-threatening situation. In those situations, we need to let doctors do what they are trained to do and save both as best they can.

Having deployed to the Middle East three times and looked terrorists in the eyes, I have seen firsthand the extraordinary challenges ?of radical Islamic terrorism.? We must stand firmly by our allies who are on the front lines of the fight, namely Israel. A strong and robust relationship between America and Israel is critical. ?President Trump was right to withdraw the U.S. from the dangerous Iran nuclear deal. We need to expand sanctions on countries like Iran, and make clear that any nation that harbors terrorists and anyone that does business with terrorists groups will face sanctions as well. And finally, we need to restore American leadership globally, which starts with rebuilding our military.

Our Founders understood that man is both fallen and has a desire to be free. In order for man to be free, government—comprised of fallen men—must be limited. Madison was right when he wrote, “There is a degree of depravity in mankind which requires a certain degree of circumspection and distrust.” The Founders wisely mistrusted power in the hands of the few, and not only separated powers between the three branches of government, but also divided power between states and the federal government.

Though imperfect, I am a Christian by the grace of God and seek to honor Him in all I do. I was raised by two loving parents in rural Mississippi—my dad served in the Air Force in the 50s and became a pastor. My parents taught me the importance of hard work and integrity, and I strive to honor them and God in my family, community, business, and now in public service.

Very Conservative

My record in the State Senate shows I am a proven conservative leader. Additionally, I have been endorsed by FRC Action, Club for Growth, House Freedom Fund, Campaign for Working Families, Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Rick Santorum, and over 100 conservative grassroots leaders in Tennessee.

First and foremost, we need to repeal Obamacare and put free market principles back into health care. As a State Senator, I innovated and passed a pilot project bill to create a patient-centered and patient-controlled option for our state’s Medicaid population. Simply put, it’s a medical expense swipe card with a reduced amount of dollars available for medical purchases coupled with a catastrophic plan. The recipient is told the card is for healthcare expenses and the card is only usable at allowed facilities—and any money they do not use comes back to them with their earned income credit, thus incentivizing them to shop for lower prices and save money. Until we put free market principles back into healthcare, we cannot fix it. Consumer-centered health care shifts control of choice, decisions and payment to the patients and their providers, removing the power of the insurance companies and the government.

Government first and foremost needs to get out of the way. Small businesses are the economic engine of America, and should be unleashed from the burdensome regulations. Regulations weigh the economy down by as much as $2 trillion, hampering productivity across industries. We also need to end corporate welfare. As a businessman, I don’t want handouts—I just want the government to stop picking winners and losers. Government agencies like the Export-Import Bank and OPIC need to be abolished.

I vigorously supported President Trump’s tax cuts, which have been a big boost to the American economy. The temporary cuts in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act should be made permanent. But that should be just the beginning. I am a firm believer in the Laffer Curve: Revenue increases with decreased taxes. In Tennessee, as a state senator we’ve proven the Laffer Curve to be true, cutting taxes well over a billion dollars in a $37 billion budget, and witnessing massive revenue surpluses approximating $2 billion. In the State Senate, I led the fight to fight to repeal the Hall Income Tax, making Tennessee one of only two states that has ever repealed an income tax of any kind

The latest unemployment report proves that pro-growth policies work. The Trump administration’s tax cuts and rolling back of the regulatory state are stimulating our economy more than any government program or agency can do. We must continue to cut taxes at all levels of government and roll back more regulations to let businesses across the country innovate, invest, and hire more people.

Now comprising nearly a quarter of federal spending, Social Security trust funds will be completely depleted by 2034. Without serious reforms now, there is no way the federal government will be able to keep its promises to millions of Americans. We must not change the benefits promised to those who have reached retirement age or are anywhere near it. For future generations, we need to reform the program into a true safety net for those who need it—to keep seniors out of poverty and to help the disabled and their families. We need to make Social Security spending part of the annual budget process so there is accountability, lower taxes to encourage more personal savings, and incentivize employers to provide disability insurance with a tax credit.

As a businessman, I understand firsthand how big government kills small businesses. As a physician, I understand the business of health care and the personal touch of the doctor-patient relationship. As a combat veteran, I have held soldiers dying on the battlefield and know firsthand the challenges they face. And, as a part-time state senator, I understand who my bosses are—the constituents—and how to stand firm on my convictions in face of great political pressure.

mark@markgreen4tn.com, 615-905-6320

I believe we are in a war of two world views. On one side are those who accept the complexity we see in the world around us as proof of an architect or engineer in the garden. With that comes the obligations to adhere to a universal moral code. On the other hand, there is a group that believes we happened as a cosmic accident operating through the laws of chemistry and physics (despite the fact that those laws would have to be violated to create the complexity we see). There is no moral standard in their worldview, and right and wrong are all relative. They see themselves as the arbiters of what is right and wrong. Our Founders based this great nation’s organization and operation off the concepts of a moral code and the rights granted by a Creator. Since the moral relativist only judges non-moral relativists, they have to attack the founding principles of the country. This is the battle we face as conservative Americans—and it is one I will not shrink from.