Monday, June 14, 2010
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Where Scott Eckersley stands on 9 issues
Q: How should we hand the immigration problem with Mexico? What do you think of the Arizona law?
We must secure the borders. It is more than an immigration issue; it is a question of national security. As for the Arizona law, I respect a states' right to govern itself. I do not support legislation that may impinge on Fourth Amendment protections of citizens of the United States. I will be an interested observer as Arizona enforces this law and as the courts take up its constitutionality. Regardless, it is time for PresidentObama
to close the border now. This administration and Congress must address meaningful immigration reform this year.
Q: How can the Congress promote economic growth and jobs?
Taxes are too high. We must reduce taxes on individuals and corporations in order to spur economic growth and provide jobs. Government debt and out-of-control spending chill investment and stagnates job growth. It's time for congress to balance the budget and make the cuts necessary to unburden the American taxpayer. These steps toward stability will spur investment, innovation, and prosperity will follow.
Q: What can Congress do to make our education system more effective?
Our educational standards need to be set high. Our kids need to compete worldwide and the federalgovernment has a role to play in setting these standards and incentivizing performance thereto. We are all stakeholders. It is up to parents, school boards, local communities, the state, and federal government to ensure our children's success.
Additionally, the federal government needs to set low interest rate loans for college students. Rising tuition costs and high rates of return are burying our students in debt.
Q: Earmarks: what do you think about them and why?
I am opposed to earmarks. It's time to increase transparency at the federal level. Right now, we need legislators with the courage to vote on our nations laws, not based on what's in it for them. I want a vote on the bill, not on the special interest pay-off.
Q: Health care: where do we go from here now that the U.S. has reformed health care?
The fundamental question is can we afford this bill. We cannot. I would not have voted for the healthcare bill and I submit that it must undergo significant revision to be sustainable. The solution to the country's healthcare crisis is in improving the health of its citizens. I would like to see bipartisan support for a revision of this bill that focuses on the root cause of health costs and not a more expensive bandage.
Q: What is your opinion of drilling for oil in national park land and how do you prevent another Gulf oil slick?
We need off-shore drilling to decrease our dependence on foreign oil. By putting in place stronger regulations and bigger penalties for failures, fewer failures will result. I support drilling for oil to decrease our dependence on middle-east oil. It is also important to protect park lands.
Q: Discuss the balance between personal privacy and individual freedoms versus protection from terrorists.
It's a delicate balance. We live in a free country. The government is expected to protect its citizens. The government and its agencies need to share information and take the least intrusive approach to safeguarding America and protect its principles of freedom.
Q: How can our government realistically cut the federal debt?
It's time to exercise serious "fiscal constraint" in government spending. We must both plan and take steps certain to balance the federal budget. Entitlement programs need to be addressed to ensure fiscal viability. Income taxes must be reduced on individuals and capital gains taxes need to be reduced to spur business investment and jobs creation.
Q: How can the federal government reform Social Security?
The President has appointed a bi-partisan committee to address federal debt and spending. The report is expected to come out December 1. It is my understanding all tax and spend items are on the table, including social security. I intend to review the findings and work with members of congress to ensure social security benefits are protected now and funded in the future.
We must secure the borders. It is more than an immigration issue; it is a question of national security. As for the Arizona law, I respect a states' right to govern itself. I do not support legislation that may impinge on Fourth Amendment protections of citizens of the United States. I will be an interested observer as Arizona enforces this law and as the courts take up its constitutionality. Regardless, it is time for President
Q: How can the Congress promote economic growth and jobs?
Taxes are too high. We must reduce taxes on individuals and corporations in order to spur economic growth and provide jobs. Government debt and out-of-control spending chill investment and stagnates job growth. It's time for congress to balance the budget and make the cuts necessary to unburden the American taxpayer. These steps toward stability will spur investment, innovation, and prosperity will follow.
Q: What can Congress do to make our education system more effective?
Our educational standards need to be set high. Our kids need to compete worldwide and the federal
Additionally, the federal government needs to set low interest rate loans for college students. Rising tuition costs and high rates of return are burying our students in debt.
Q: Earmarks: what do you think about them and why?
I am opposed to earmarks. It's time to increase transparency at the federal level. Right now, we need legislators with the courage to vote on our nations laws, not based on what's in it for them. I want a vote on the bill, not on the special interest pay-off.
Q: Health care: where do we go from here now that the U.S. has reformed health care?
The fundamental question is can we afford this bill. We cannot. I would not have voted for the healthcare bill and I submit that it must undergo significant revision to be sustainable. The solution to the country's healthcare crisis is in improving the health of its citizens. I would like to see bipartisan support for a revision of this bill that focuses on the root cause of health costs and not a more expensive bandage.
Q: What is your opinion of drilling for oil in national park land and how do you prevent another Gulf oil slick?
We need off-shore drilling to decrease our dependence on foreign oil. By putting in place stronger regulations and bigger penalties for failures, fewer failures will result. I support drilling for oil to decrease our dependence on middle-east oil. It is also important to protect park lands.
Q: Discuss the balance between personal privacy and individual freedoms versus protection from terrorists.
It's a delicate balance. We live in a free country. The government is expected to protect its citizens. The government and its agencies need to share information and take the least intrusive approach to safeguarding America and protect its principles of freedom.
Q: How can our government realistically cut the federal debt?
It's time to exercise serious "fiscal constraint" in government spending. We must both plan and take steps certain to balance the federal budget. Entitlement programs need to be addressed to ensure fiscal viability. Income taxes must be reduced on individuals and capital gains taxes need to be reduced to spur business investment and jobs creation.
Q: How can the federal government reform Social Security?
The President has appointed a bi-partisan committee to address federal debt and spending. The report is expected to come out December 1. It is my understanding all tax and spend items are on the table, including social security. I intend to review the findings and work with members of congress to ensure social security benefits are protected now and funded in the future.
Q&A with Scott Eckersley
by Joe Daues, KSPR News
Q: As a brand new Congressman, how do you plan to make southwest Missouri’s voice heard in a body of 435 people?
A: I think you've got to have the guts to stand up strong when you believe in something. I think as a Congressman, among that many people, that many voices, especially a freshman Congressman, I think you really need to have the mettle to believe in what you say and follow through. And that's something I bring to the table.
Q: What’s the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation? How do you intend to address it as a Congressman?
A: I think right now the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation is probably one and the same: it's jobs, it's this economy. Out-of-control spending is not helping the situation - it's hurting. We've got to find ways to balance the budget - number one - and then look at ways to reduce the federal deficit. Without that, I'm not sure there's much hope. So I'm planing to go to Washington to do both of those things.
Q: How do you plan to cut through the bitterness and rancor of Capitol Hill so it’s not more of the same old debate?
A: I've seen some of that. My experience has shown me, maybe, some of the uglier sides of politics. It's not what I'm about. It never has been. I haven't changed. I've been a conservative. I continue to be a conservative. But also conservative in Missouri morals, Missouri values. The fingerpointing needs to stop. I think the solutions need to be reached in a bipartisan way. Now more than ever, I believe folks are looking for a person, not a party.
Q: What makes you the right person for this job?
A: I think this election is interesting. I do believe I'm the right person for this job. And I look forward to shaking hands with folks all across this region, looking them in the eye and telling them, "I am the person for this job." It's time for somebody who has stood up to establishment. Everyone's saying it - I've done it. I can stand up to the establishment and just have the mettle to do it, but actually prevail. That's what I've done.
Q: As a brand new Congressman, how do you plan to make southwest Missouri’s voice heard in a body of 435 people?
A: I think you've got to have the guts to stand up strong when you believe in something. I think as a Congressman, among that many people, that many voices, especially a freshman Congressman, I think you really need to have the mettle to believe in what you say and follow through. And that's something I bring to the table.
Q: What’s the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation? How do you intend to address it as a Congressman?
A: I think right now the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation is probably one and the same: it's jobs, it's this economy. Out-of-control spending is not helping the situation - it's hurting. We've got to find ways to balance the budget - number one - and then look at ways to reduce the federal deficit. Without that, I'm not sure there's much hope. So I'm planing to go to Washington to do both of those things.
Q: How do you plan to cut through the bitterness and rancor of Capitol Hill so it’s not more of the same old debate?
A: I've seen some of that. My experience has shown me, maybe, some of the uglier sides of politics. It's not what I'm about. It never has been. I haven't changed. I've been a conservative. I continue to be a conservative. But also conservative in Missouri morals, Missouri values. The fingerpointing needs to stop. I think the solutions need to be reached in a bipartisan way. Now more than ever, I believe folks are looking for a person, not a party.
Q: What makes you the right person for this job?
A: I think this election is interesting. I do believe I'm the right person for this job. And I look forward to shaking hands with folks all across this region, looking them in the eye and telling them, "I am the person for this job." It's time for somebody who has stood up to establishment. Everyone's saying it - I've done it. I can stand up to the establishment and just have the mettle to do it, but actually prevail. That's what I've done.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Where Gary Nodler stands on 9 key issues
Q: How should we hand the immigration problem with Mexico? What do you think of the Arizona law?
The first priority should be to secure our border. I would support the use of our armed forces to secure our southern border. I am not sure if the Arizona law is the best answer, but I am not going to be quick to criticize the efforts of states to protect their citizens when the federal government has failed to do so.
Q: How can the Congress promote economic growth and jobs?
We need to insure adequate access to credit from the banking industry by reducing regulatory barriers to lending. We need to lower tax burdens on businesses that create incentives to move commerce offshore. Cap & Trade legislation needs to be defeated which would add to the cost of business in the Midwest. We also need tort reform.
Q: What can Congress do to make our education system more effective?
Education is not a constitutional responsibility of the federal government. It is the first responsibility of Missouri state government under our state constitution, after the payment of public debt. The federal government should not burden states with federal education rules.
Q: Earmarks: what do you think about them and why?
Americans are fed up with the buying, selling and trading of votes through earmarks. I would favor a rule change that would make it an ethics violation to promise an appropriation in exchange for a vote for or against unrelated legislation. I am not in favor of the United States House of Representatives abandoning its constitutional responsibility to line item the federal budget. That would give President Obama and his bureaucrats control over spending that rightfully belongs to the elected representatives of the people.
Q: Health care: where do we go from here now that the U.S. has reformed health care?
I will fight for the repeal of “Obama care.” If we are unable to repeal it, I would vote to starve it through the appropriation process. This battle is not over and I will fight to protect patient choice and access to health care.
Q: What is your opinion of drilling for oil in national park land and how do you prevent another Gulf oil slick?
I would support more drilling options on land in National parks and preserves. I also think we would be better served if the offshore drilling was being done by American companies and not foreign interests drilling near the United States.
Q: Discuss the balance between personal privacy and individual freedoms versus protection from terrorists.
This is a very difficult question. In order to achieve greater security we must sacrifice some of our liberties, but if the loss of liberty is too great the terrorists can achieve part of their goal by forcing us to lose some of our freedom. We must be constantly vigilant to make sure that our pursuit of security does not lead to a loss of the basic freedoms defined by our Founding Fathers.
Q: How can our government realistically cut the federal debt?
The first step in bringing our debt under control is to stop adding to it. Beyond that we must find ways to stimulate economic growth and fight to make sure that spending rises more slowly than the expansion of our economy. We cannot solve this problem without robust economic growth.
Q: How can the federal government reform Social Security?
Any changes in social security must be prospective and far enough in the future to insure that we are not breaking our promise to existing recipients or those who have paid-in for a substantial amount of time. We should not change the rules in the middle of the game for hard working Americans who have done their part, and now have the right to expect the government to do its part. As with the previous question, this solution requires robust growth in our economy.
The first priority should be to secure our border. I would support the use of our armed forces to secure our southern border. I am not sure if the Arizona law is the best answer, but I am not going to be quick to criticize the efforts of states to protect their citizens when the federal government has failed to do so.
Q: How can the Congress promote economic growth and jobs?
We need to insure adequate access to credit from the banking industry by reducing regulatory barriers to lending. We need to lower tax burdens on businesses that create incentives to move commerce offshore. Cap & Trade legislation needs to be defeated which would add to the cost of business in the Midwest. We also need tort reform.
Q: What can Congress do to make our education system more effective?
Education is not a constitutional responsibility of the federal government. It is the first responsibility of Missouri state government under our state constitution, after the payment of public debt. The federal government should not burden states with federal education rules.
Q: Earmarks: what do you think about them and why?
Americans are fed up with the buying, selling and trading of votes through earmarks. I would favor a rule change that would make it an ethics violation to promise an appropriation in exchange for a vote for or against unrelated legislation. I am not in favor of the United States House of Representatives abandoning its constitutional responsibility to line item the federal budget. That would give President Obama and his bureaucrats control over spending that rightfully belongs to the elected representatives of the people.
Q: Health care: where do we go from here now that the U.S. has reformed health care?
I will fight for the repeal of “Obama care.” If we are unable to repeal it, I would vote to starve it through the appropriation process. This battle is not over and I will fight to protect patient choice and access to health care.
Q: What is your opinion of drilling for oil in national park land and how do you prevent another Gulf oil slick?
I would support more drilling options on land in National parks and preserves. I also think we would be better served if the offshore drilling was being done by American companies and not foreign interests drilling near the United States.
Q: Discuss the balance between personal privacy and individual freedoms versus protection from terrorists.
This is a very difficult question. In order to achieve greater security we must sacrifice some of our liberties, but if the loss of liberty is too great the terrorists can achieve part of their goal by forcing us to lose some of our freedom. We must be constantly vigilant to make sure that our pursuit of security does not lead to a loss of the basic freedoms defined by our Founding Fathers.
Q: How can our government realistically cut the federal debt?
The first step in bringing our debt under control is to stop adding to it. Beyond that we must find ways to stimulate economic growth and fight to make sure that spending rises more slowly than the expansion of our economy. We cannot solve this problem without robust economic growth.
Q: How can the federal government reform Social Security?
Any changes in social security must be prospective and far enough in the future to insure that we are not breaking our promise to existing recipients or those who have paid-in for a substantial amount of time. We should not change the rules in the middle of the game for hard working Americans who have done their part, and now have the right to expect the government to do its part. As with the previous question, this solution requires robust growth in our economy.
Q&A with Gary Nodler
by Joe Daues, KSPR News
Q: As a brand new Congressman, how do you plan to make southwest Missouri’s voice heard in a body of 435 people?
A: One of the advantages I bring to this race is experience. I worked for the Congress for 20 years. I worked in the executive branch for the first President Bush as a regional administrator for the SBA, and at the cabinet level, at the Economic Policy Council of the White House. I already know what needs to be done. I know how you get from the Cannon Office Building over to the House floor to vote. There’s no learning curve; I’m ready to begin on day one to be an effective voice for southwest Missouri.
Q: What’s the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation? How do you intend to address it as a Congressman?
A: There are a number of very serious issues, but I think right now jobs is the most pressing need for our citizens. We need to put people back to work. The government can’t do that. That has to be done by the private sector. The government can’t create jobs – only the private sector can. We need to do something about access to credit. The banks need to be given the opportunity to extend credit to good customers who’ve paid their bills. When we get that going, this economy can recover.
Q: How do you plan to cut through the bitterness and rancor of Capitol Hill so it’s not more of the same old debate?
A: I can only do that by myself bringing an attitude of openness and being willing to work across party lines to try to convince others. I’ve done that at the state level as chairman of the Senate Appropriations committee where I worked with Sen. Joan Bray, one of the most liberal members of the Missouri Senate. And yet we were able to produce unanimous committee reports to the Senate and that’s hard work. It doesn’t come naturally. It takes effort.
Q: What makes you the right person for this job?
A: Experience and the fact that I grew up in the 7th Congressional district. I’m a product of our educational system. I reflect the values and the attitudes of our people because I’m one of the people of the 7th district.
Learn more about Gary Nodler's campaign at his website
Q: As a brand new Congressman, how do you plan to make southwest Missouri’s voice heard in a body of 435 people?
A: One of the advantages I bring to this race is experience. I worked for the Congress for 20 years. I worked in the executive branch for the first President Bush as a regional administrator for the SBA, and at the cabinet level, at the Economic Policy Council of the White House. I already know what needs to be done. I know how you get from the Cannon Office Building over to the House floor to vote. There’s no learning curve; I’m ready to begin on day one to be an effective voice for southwest Missouri.
Q: What’s the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation? How do you intend to address it as a Congressman?
A: There are a number of very serious issues, but I think right now jobs is the most pressing need for our citizens. We need to put people back to work. The government can’t do that. That has to be done by the private sector. The government can’t create jobs – only the private sector can. We need to do something about access to credit. The banks need to be given the opportunity to extend credit to good customers who’ve paid their bills. When we get that going, this economy can recover.
Q: How do you plan to cut through the bitterness and rancor of Capitol Hill so it’s not more of the same old debate?
A: I can only do that by myself bringing an attitude of openness and being willing to work across party lines to try to convince others. I’ve done that at the state level as chairman of the Senate Appropriations committee where I worked with Sen. Joan Bray, one of the most liberal members of the Missouri Senate. And yet we were able to produce unanimous committee reports to the Senate and that’s hard work. It doesn’t come naturally. It takes effort.
Q: What makes you the right person for this job?
A: Experience and the fact that I grew up in the 7th Congressional district. I’m a product of our educational system. I reflect the values and the attitudes of our people because I’m one of the people of the 7th district.
Learn more about Gary Nodler's campaign at his website
Monday, June 07, 2010
Where Billy Long stands on 9 key issues
Q: How should we hand the immigration problem with Mexico? What do you think of the Arizona law?
The first thing that we must do is secure the border with Mexico. If the border is not secured against illegal entry then any other policy solution will be temporary at best and ultimately ineffective. In order to secure the borders, America should deploy every tool available to us, including the construction of a border fence and increasing the number of border patrol agents along the border. If necessary, we should deploy national guard troops to make sure it is secure. Having a porous border is also a threat to our national security and we need to take it seriously.
The law in Arizona is a common sense reaction to a lack of leadership from Washington. When police encounter a situation where they believe that illegal immigration is a factor they should be able to take action. Right now the federal government either cannot, or will not, enforce its own immigration laws. That has to change or individual states will continue to pass their own laws.
Q: How can the Congress promote economic growth and jobs?
Jobs are created by private businesses, not by the government. What the national government can do is create an environment where the free market can flourish naturally through measures such as low taxes on business and the elimination of the capital gains tax, which will encourage people to invest money in job producing activities.
Congress can also ease its regulatory burden to reduce the cost of creating a new job. Since our economy runs on energy the government can lift restrictions on exploration and recovery that would channel more energy resources into the economy.
Q: What can Congress do to make our education system more effective?
The best way that Congress can make our education system more effective is by sending power back to the states, the local school districts, and ultimately to the parents themselves. No one is more vested in providing for the education of a child than the child's parents and the dedicated teachers who work with the child on a daily basis. Local teachers and parents should be free to educate their children without interference from a bureaucrat located in some distant federal department. Each child is different, as is each school district, and as a result no single solution imposed from the top down will be the best solution for every one of the diverse districts across a nation as vast as America.
Q: Earmarks: what do you think about them and why?
I have made a firm pledge not to take any earmarks. Earmarks are a corrupting influence on the legislative process and they should be completely eliminated. They are a preferred way to bestow favor on political supporters and for Congressmen to engage in vote buying by bringing pet projects back to their districts. We need to stop pork spending whenever possible and earmarks are a part of that problem.
Additionally, as a matter of principle, the government should allocate spending through a merit based process that evaluates each item of spending to determine if it is the best use of public resources. We should not be allocating resources based on the seniority of the Congressman requesting the spending.
Q: Health care: where do we go from here now that the U.S. has reformed health care?
The health care reform bill that recently passed Congress should be repealed immediately. Health care needs reform, but all the Congressional health care bill did was add a new tangle of bureaucracy on top of a system that was already weighed down under the burden of too much government.
Congress should work on tort reform, to limit excessive recoveries that drive up costs. Congress should exercise its power over commerce to insist that the free market be allowed to work with insurance policies by requiring such products to be available for sale across state lines. Congress should allow individuals to save money in tax free accounts to pay for future medical expenses and it should work to eliminate the waste that exists in current health care programs.
Q: What is your opinion of drilling for oil in national park land and how do you prevent another Gulf oil slick?
I support a "Drill Here, Drill Now" policy that provides for oil exploration wherever it is economically viable to do so. We need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. America also has a record as one of the cleanest, safest oil producers in the world. We have high standards and the best technology in the world. We will learn the lessons from this disaster to reduce the chance of future oil spills.
Q: Discuss the balance between personal privacy and individual freedoms versus protection from terrorists.
I believe deeply in our civil liberties and they should be fully protected. The purpose of America, our Constitution, and our government, is to make and keep us all free. However, we can preserve freedom while pursuing terrorists. I believe we should aggressively monitor terrorist threats in this country and abroad. I do not agree with those who would extend our rights and privileges that we enjoy as Americans to terrorists.
Q: How can our government realistically cut the federal debt?
The best way, and only way in my view, to cut the federal debt is to stop spending money. In an over three trillion dollar budget there is plenty of waste, fraud and abuse. We should also eliminate earmark funding and stop bailing out Wall Street banks and private companies. Ronald Reagan was right when he said that Washington does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. However, the career politicians in Washington do not seem to have the will to make tough choices. I will.
Q: How can the federal government reform Social Security?
Social Security as it currently exists has become unsustainable and reform is urgently needed. We must keep the promises that we have made and that means we must firmly guarantee the Social Security benefits for all seniors. In contemplating reform for the future, the first thing that Congress must do is stop spending trust fund money. Unfortunately, Congress has severely mismanaged Social Security by spending the vast sums of excess money that was collected for decades to pay for future retirees. We cannot recover the funds that were spent, but we can at least stop the last horse from leaving the barn by not wasting any more of the Social Security money that we're still taking in. Congress' abysmal record in safeguarding retiree funds makes clear the need for additional protections on future retirement money.
However, the only way we can reform social security is to work on a bi-partisan solution. This is not a Republican problem, or an Democrat problem; it is an American problem. We cannot have partisan solutions when an issue is this important. There are many good proposals out there, but we need to take the politics out of it. We all want the same thing: we want social security to be there when we need it. I would work to make sure that Social Security will be there when we need it.
The first thing that we must do is secure the border with Mexico. If the border is not secured against illegal entry then any other policy solution will be temporary at best and ultimately ineffective. In order to secure the borders, America should deploy every tool available to us, including the construction of a border fence and increasing the number of border patrol agents along the border. If necessary, we should deploy national guard troops to make sure it is secure. Having a porous border is also a threat to our national security and we need to take it seriously.
The law in Arizona is a common sense reaction to a lack of leadership from Washington. When police encounter a situation where they believe that illegal immigration is a factor they should be able to take action. Right now the federal government either cannot, or will not, enforce its own immigration laws. That has to change or individual states will continue to pass their own laws.
Q: How can the Congress promote economic growth and jobs?
Jobs are created by private businesses, not by the government. What the national government can do is create an environment where the free market can flourish naturally through measures such as low taxes on business and the elimination of the capital gains tax, which will encourage people to invest money in job producing activities.
Congress can also ease its regulatory burden to reduce the cost of creating a new job. Since our economy runs on energy the government can lift restrictions on exploration and recovery that would channel more energy resources into the economy.
Q: What can Congress do to make our education system more effective?
The best way that Congress can make our education system more effective is by sending power back to the states, the local school districts, and ultimately to the parents themselves. No one is more vested in providing for the education of a child than the child's parents and the dedicated teachers who work with the child on a daily basis. Local teachers and parents should be free to educate their children without interference from a bureaucrat located in some distant federal department. Each child is different, as is each school district, and as a result no single solution imposed from the top down will be the best solution for every one of the diverse districts across a nation as vast as America.
Q: Earmarks: what do you think about them and why?
I have made a firm pledge not to take any earmarks. Earmarks are a corrupting influence on the legislative process and they should be completely eliminated. They are a preferred way to bestow favor on political supporters and for Congressmen to engage in vote buying by bringing pet projects back to their districts. We need to stop pork spending whenever possible and earmarks are a part of that problem.
Additionally, as a matter of principle, the government should allocate spending through a merit based process that evaluates each item of spending to determine if it is the best use of public resources. We should not be allocating resources based on the seniority of the Congressman requesting the spending.
Q: Health care: where do we go from here now that the U.S. has reformed health care?
The health care reform bill that recently passed Congress should be repealed immediately. Health care needs reform, but all the Congressional health care bill did was add a new tangle of bureaucracy on top of a system that was already weighed down under the burden of too much government.
Congress should work on tort reform, to limit excessive recoveries that drive up costs. Congress should exercise its power over commerce to insist that the free market be allowed to work with insurance policies by requiring such products to be available for sale across state lines. Congress should allow individuals to save money in tax free accounts to pay for future medical expenses and it should work to eliminate the waste that exists in current health care programs.
Q: What is your opinion of drilling for oil in national park land and how do you prevent another Gulf oil slick?
I support a "Drill Here, Drill Now" policy that provides for oil exploration wherever it is economically viable to do so. We need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. America also has a record as one of the cleanest, safest oil producers in the world. We have high standards and the best technology in the world. We will learn the lessons from this disaster to reduce the chance of future oil spills.
Q: Discuss the balance between personal privacy and individual freedoms versus protection from terrorists.
I believe deeply in our civil liberties and they should be fully protected. The purpose of America, our Constitution, and our government, is to make and keep us all free. However, we can preserve freedom while pursuing terrorists. I believe we should aggressively monitor terrorist threats in this country and abroad. I do not agree with those who would extend our rights and privileges that we enjoy as Americans to terrorists.
Q: How can our government realistically cut the federal debt?
The best way, and only way in my view, to cut the federal debt is to stop spending money. In an over three trillion dollar budget there is plenty of waste, fraud and abuse. We should also eliminate earmark funding and stop bailing out Wall Street banks and private companies. Ronald Reagan was right when he said that Washington does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. However, the career politicians in Washington do not seem to have the will to make tough choices. I will.
Q: How can the federal government reform Social Security?
Social Security as it currently exists has become unsustainable and reform is urgently needed. We must keep the promises that we have made and that means we must firmly guarantee the Social Security benefits for all seniors. In contemplating reform for the future, the first thing that Congress must do is stop spending trust fund money. Unfortunately, Congress has severely mismanaged Social Security by spending the vast sums of excess money that was collected for decades to pay for future retirees. We cannot recover the funds that were spent, but we can at least stop the last horse from leaving the barn by not wasting any more of the Social Security money that we're still taking in. Congress' abysmal record in safeguarding retiree funds makes clear the need for additional protections on future retirement money.
However, the only way we can reform social security is to work on a bi-partisan solution. This is not a Republican problem, or an Democrat problem; it is an American problem. We cannot have partisan solutions when an issue is this important. There are many good proposals out there, but we need to take the politics out of it. We all want the same thing: we want social security to be there when we need it. I would work to make sure that Social Security will be there when we need it.
Q& with Billy Long
by Joe Daues, KSPR News
Q: As a brand new Congressman, how do you plan to make southwest Missouri’s voice heard in a body of 435 people?
A: I think you need to go in with a common sense attitude. I’m running as a business person and I think you need to take common sense values to D.C. Our founding fathers envisioned citizen legislators, not legislator legislators. So I look at it like I’m going in there with a different perspective than people who’ve risen through the ranks of politics. So I think that’s the best way to approach it: just Ozarks common sense values.
Q: What’s the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation? How do you intend to address it as a Congressman?
A: Jobs. We have to get people back to work. And spending, which kind of runs part and parcel. We’re over-regulating, overtaxating, overlitigating business. Seven out of 10 people work for a small business. The government doesn’t create jobs. The course we’ve been on over the last year or so is that we think the government is going to create jobs with all this stimulus and shovel-ready projects and go-to-work for the government. That doesn’t work, Joe. We need to get people working for small businesses and let small businesses be able to thrive.
Q: How do you plan to cut through the bitterness and rancor of Capitol Hill so it’s not more of the same old debate?
A: You go in with an outsider’s (inaudible). You don’t go in as a Republican or Democrat. You go in as a person, as a citizen of the United States, as a citizen of the 7th district. You take a citizen’s attitude up there. You don’t take a politician’s attitude. The healthcare bill they just voted on sometime ago? 60 Democrats didn’t see any reason to vote against it. 40 Republicans didn’t see any reason to vote for it. That kind of thinking has to stop. We need to work together and you need to send people up there that don’t care about going back. I think that’s where we get the rancor and the vileness and the fighting. All they care about is getting re-elected so they can get back up there for another year. They want to go along with their party’s upper echelon. I don’t think that’s what we need to do. I think we need to be concerned about doing what’s right for the people of the 7th district and the United States, not what’s right for the party.
Q: What makes you the right person for this job?
A: I’m a citizen. I’ll be a citizen legislator. I’ve never run for office before in my life. I’ve run a small business for 30 years. Started out went off to auction school 30 years ago. Asked Mom & Dad to help me. Built that business. Built a real estate company up. I signed the front of a check for over 30 years. I think that’s important. I’ve worked. I know what regulations and taxation do to small businesses. And again, small businesses are the backbone of this country. I want to go up there and be your eyes and ears in Washington. I don’t want to go up there for the title or the power, the prestige. I want to do what’s right: stay a few years and come home.
Learn more about Billy Long's campaign at his website.
Q: As a brand new Congressman, how do you plan to make southwest Missouri’s voice heard in a body of 435 people?
A: I think you need to go in with a common sense attitude. I’m running as a business person and I think you need to take common sense values to D.C. Our founding fathers envisioned citizen legislators, not legislator legislators. So I look at it like I’m going in there with a different perspective than people who’ve risen through the ranks of politics. So I think that’s the best way to approach it: just Ozarks common sense values.
Q: What’s the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation? How do you intend to address it as a Congressman?
A: Jobs. We have to get people back to work. And spending, which kind of runs part and parcel. We’re over-regulating, overtaxating, overlitigating business. Seven out of 10 people work for a small business. The government doesn’t create jobs. The course we’ve been on over the last year or so is that we think the government is going to create jobs with all this stimulus and shovel-ready projects and go-to-work for the government. That doesn’t work, Joe. We need to get people working for small businesses and let small businesses be able to thrive.
Q: How do you plan to cut through the bitterness and rancor of Capitol Hill so it’s not more of the same old debate?
A: You go in with an outsider’s (inaudible). You don’t go in as a Republican or Democrat. You go in as a person, as a citizen of the United States, as a citizen of the 7th district. You take a citizen’s attitude up there. You don’t take a politician’s attitude. The healthcare bill they just voted on sometime ago? 60 Democrats didn’t see any reason to vote against it. 40 Republicans didn’t see any reason to vote for it. That kind of thinking has to stop. We need to work together and you need to send people up there that don’t care about going back. I think that’s where we get the rancor and the vileness and the fighting. All they care about is getting re-elected so they can get back up there for another year. They want to go along with their party’s upper echelon. I don’t think that’s what we need to do. I think we need to be concerned about doing what’s right for the people of the 7th district and the United States, not what’s right for the party.
Q: What makes you the right person for this job?
A: I’m a citizen. I’ll be a citizen legislator. I’ve never run for office before in my life. I’ve run a small business for 30 years. Started out went off to auction school 30 years ago. Asked Mom & Dad to help me. Built that business. Built a real estate company up. I signed the front of a check for over 30 years. I think that’s important. I’ve worked. I know what regulations and taxation do to small businesses. And again, small businesses are the backbone of this country. I want to go up there and be your eyes and ears in Washington. I don’t want to go up there for the title or the power, the prestige. I want to do what’s right: stay a few years and come home.
Learn more about Billy Long's campaign at his website.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Where Jeff Wisdom stands on 9 key issues
Q: How should we hand the immigration problem with Mexico? What do you think of the Arizona law?
We must defend and enforce our borders. I would support a crackdown on businesses who hire illegal workers. Those here illegally should be deported immediately to their home of origin. I would put National Guard troops along the Mexican border to assist Border Patrol agents with the defense of our national sovereignty.
I would create two new modern "Ellis Island" locations in Tucson, Arizona and El Paso, Texas. Those wishing to enter the United States to work - legally - would be processed quickly at these facilities. These processing stations would be operated by the Border Patrol and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Individuals would be picked up at specific locations along the border and transported to these locations. These stations would conduct background checks and medical exams to approve these individuals for possible work visas in the United States. They would provide basic living accommodations to these individuals while they undergo processing.
I support the state of Arizona in enforcing immigration laws already on the books. The federal government has not effectively protected the southern border. Therefore, the state is simply exercising its authority and responsibility to enforce the law.
Q: How can the Congress promote economic growth and jobs?
Congress can facilitate economic growth and prosperity by reducing the tax and regulatory burden on entrepreneurship, especially with small businesses. Tax reform is paramount. Income taxes inhibit productivity. They are oppressive and stifle job creation. It is my belief that Congress should eliminate all income and payroll taxes, replacing them with the fair tax - a national consumption tax paid at the point of purchase.
As an alternative to the current system, I have proposed an economic plan that would end federal taxation of individuals and businesses. Americans would pay taxes only at the state and local level, thereby keeping revenue in local communities where it is badly needed and most effective. Under this system, funding for the federal government would come from taxation of each state as one complete entity using a formula derived from an array of economic criteria, such as state population and per capita income.
Q: What can Congress do to make our education system more effective?
The single most effective action Congress can take to improve the American educational system is the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education. The teaching of our children should be a function of state and local governments, period. Our federal government has no constitutional authority or responsibility over education. Decisions regarding the education of children should be determined by educational leaders in the local communities, not bureaucrats in Washington.
Q: Earmarks: what do you think about them and why?
Obamacare, the health care reform plan passed by Congress back in March, spells nothing but economic disaster for the American economy and the quality of care in the United States. It places an unconstitutional mandate on individuals - the requirement for every individual to purchase a health care policy.
My preference would be to repeal Obamacare and work to enact common sense and practical approaches to health care reform that are founded in free market ideals and principles. Allow individuals to purchase coverage across state boundaries. Impose pragmatic limitations on punitive damages imposed on health care practioners and facilities to lower malpractice insurance costs.
The federal government could provide catastrophic care coverage under a public/private partnership that would lessen the risk undertaken by private insurance companies. If health insurance companies carried only risk for basic health care services (doctor visits, emergency room treatment, etc.) up to a limit of $25,000, health care premiums would be significantly lower. This would make coverage affordable for all.
Q: What is your opinion of drilling for oil in national park land and how do you prevent another Gulf oil slick?
I support drilling for oil on U.S. soil and offshore, including national parks such as ANWR. We must become more self-sufficient in our supply of energy and less dependent on foreign sources of oil. Our reliance on foreign sources of energy makes the United States economically vulnerable to international political events.
The prevention of another oil slick, such as the one in the Gulf of Mexico, should be a priority of both the public and private sector. There is inherently a risk involved anytime we drill for oil or mine a fossil fuel such as coal. Nonetheless, it is in our vital political and economic interest to pursue energy independence. Appropriate safety protocols must be developed and followed.
Q: Discuss the balance between personal privacy and individual freedoms versus protection from terrorists.
One thing is certain - there are ruthless enemies of the United States who wish to harm or kill our citizens. Therefore, we must be vigilant and diligent in the prevention of terrorist activities against our people, our sovereignty, and our economic interests. That being said, if we compromise our liberties and personal freedoms then terrorists have succeeded in interrupting our daily lives. I do not support mirandizing terrorists. Foreign terrorists who carry out, or attempt to carry out, an act against the citizens of the United States should be dealt with swiftly and harshly. The battlefield of terrorists is virtually anywhere, including Times Square, Fort Hood, or an in-bound airliner.
There are key elements of the Patriot Act that I support, such as the monitoring of cell phone conversations between suspected operatives in the United States and known terrorist networks abroad. Law enforcement officials must also be able to scrutinize financial records of individuals funneling monies to terror cells. The Patriot Act has enhanced our security and kept our country safe from another large-scale attack for almost a decade.
Q: How can our government realistically cut the federal debt?
The only means by which the federal government can realistically cut the national debt is through a balanced budget requirement, something to which virtually all state and local governments must constitutionally adhere. Congress should have its credit card privileges revoked. It has lived well beyond its means for far too long, placing a significant debt burden on future generations of taxpayers.
My economic plan would shift power over monetary resources and tax revenues to the states and the people as the founding fathers envisioned. Tax revenue would be collected from individuals only at the state and local level. Funding of the federal budget would require monies collected from each of the fifty states. A funding formula based on several key economic criteria would determine the tax revenue each state would appropriate toward the federal budget.
If the 17th Amendment is repealed, returning the selection of U.S. senators back to the state governments, it would become feasible to rein in the size and scope of federal spending. Senators, acting in the interests of the states, could then curtail the level of spending at the federal level to ensure more tax revenue remains in the states to fund local projects deemed appropriate and necessary by the people, such as schools and road construction.
Q: How can the federal government reform Social Security?
Although the reform of Social Security is a volatile issue with many voters, the reality is that the viability of the system, as well as the Medicare and Medicaid programs, depends on significant changes and restructuring. Within the coming years, the Social Security system will become insolvent. Major reform is the only alternative to save the system from collapse.
Younger workers under the age of 45 must be phased out of the system. This could occur in stages through a buy-out according to birth year. The taxes paid to Social Security by these workers could be transferred to a private investment account of the individual's choosing (i.e. a Roth IRA). Those between the ages of 46-55 could be given an optional buy-out in return for a reduction or elimination of benefits. Those who opt to remain in the system will have their retirement ages increased and/or benefits recalculated. Individuals 56 and older would be guaranteed retirement benefits under the current system. We must uphold our nation's commitment and promise to these individuals.
I would support an optional buy-out for those 56 and over who meet higher retirement income criteria, minus any benefits they have already received from the system. Funding for all proposed buy-outs could be acquired from a number of sources, including the elimination of unnecessary, ineffective, and unconstitutional programs in the discretionary budget. One more note, any individual accepting a buy-out option would pay no federal income taxes on the monies received or reinvested. These were initially tax revenue collections, so to tax them as income would constitute double taxation.
We must defend and enforce our borders. I would support a crackdown on businesses who hire illegal workers. Those here illegally should be deported immediately to their home of origin. I would put National Guard troops along the Mexican border to assist Border Patrol agents with the defense of our national sovereignty.
I would create two new modern "Ellis Island" locations in Tucson, Arizona and El Paso, Texas. Those wishing to enter the United States to work - legally - would be processed quickly at these facilities. These processing stations would be operated by the Border Patrol and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Individuals would be picked up at specific locations along the border and transported to these locations. These stations would conduct background checks and medical exams to approve these individuals for possible work visas in the United States. They would provide basic living accommodations to these individuals while they undergo processing.
I support the state of Arizona in enforcing immigration laws already on the books. The federal government has not effectively protected the southern border. Therefore, the state is simply exercising its authority and responsibility to enforce the law.
Q: How can the Congress promote economic growth and jobs?
Congress can facilitate economic growth and prosperity by reducing the tax and regulatory burden on entrepreneurship, especially with small businesses. Tax reform is paramount. Income taxes inhibit productivity. They are oppressive and stifle job creation. It is my belief that Congress should eliminate all income and payroll taxes, replacing them with the fair tax - a national consumption tax paid at the point of purchase.
As an alternative to the current system, I have proposed an economic plan that would end federal taxation of individuals and businesses. Americans would pay taxes only at the state and local level, thereby keeping revenue in local communities where it is badly needed and most effective. Under this system, funding for the federal government would come from taxation of each state as one complete entity using a formula derived from an array of economic criteria, such as state population and per capita income.
Q: What can Congress do to make our education system more effective?
The single most effective action Congress can take to improve the American educational system is the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education. The teaching of our children should be a function of state and local governments, period. Our federal government has no constitutional authority or responsibility over education. Decisions regarding the education of children should be determined by educational leaders in the local communities, not bureaucrats in Washington.
Q: Earmarks: what do you think about them and why?
Although Congress is granted the power to appropriate funds in the federal budget, I am opposed to earmarks. The earmarking process in Congress has been corrupted. Earmarks rely essentially on a "quid pro quo" environment where members of Congress vote to fund projects for colleagues in return for funding of their own pet projects. I see earmarking as a way for members of Congress to "bribe" constituents.
Under an economic plan that I have proposed, tax revenues would be collected and held by the state and local governments. This would eliminate the need for earmarks or grants from the federal government for a local project. The money would already be in the local communities. It makes no sense to send taxes to Washington, DC, in order for bureaucrats to decide where to spend the money. Let the people in the states and local communities determine that.
Q: Health care: where do we go from here now that the U.S. has reformed health care?Obamacare, the health care reform plan passed by Congress back in March, spells nothing but economic disaster for the American economy and the quality of care in the United States. It places an unconstitutional mandate on individuals - the requirement for every individual to purchase a health care policy.
My preference would be to repeal Obamacare and work to enact common sense and practical approaches to health care reform that are founded in free market ideals and principles. Allow individuals to purchase coverage across state boundaries. Impose pragmatic limitations on punitive damages imposed on health care practioners and facilities to lower malpractice insurance costs.
The federal government could provide catastrophic care coverage under a public/private partnership that would lessen the risk undertaken by private insurance companies. If health insurance companies carried only risk for basic health care services (doctor visits, emergency room treatment, etc.) up to a limit of $25,000, health care premiums would be significantly lower. This would make coverage affordable for all.
Q: What is your opinion of drilling for oil in national park land and how do you prevent another Gulf oil slick?
I support drilling for oil on U.S. soil and offshore, including national parks such as ANWR. We must become more self-sufficient in our supply of energy and less dependent on foreign sources of oil. Our reliance on foreign sources of energy makes the United States economically vulnerable to international political events.
The prevention of another oil slick, such as the one in the Gulf of Mexico, should be a priority of both the public and private sector. There is inherently a risk involved anytime we drill for oil or mine a fossil fuel such as coal. Nonetheless, it is in our vital political and economic interest to pursue energy independence. Appropriate safety protocols must be developed and followed.
Q: Discuss the balance between personal privacy and individual freedoms versus protection from terrorists.
One thing is certain - there are ruthless enemies of the United States who wish to harm or kill our citizens. Therefore, we must be vigilant and diligent in the prevention of terrorist activities against our people, our sovereignty, and our economic interests. That being said, if we compromise our liberties and personal freedoms then terrorists have succeeded in interrupting our daily lives. I do not support mirandizing terrorists. Foreign terrorists who carry out, or attempt to carry out, an act against the citizens of the United States should be dealt with swiftly and harshly. The battlefield of terrorists is virtually anywhere, including Times Square, Fort Hood, or an in-bound airliner.
There are key elements of the Patriot Act that I support, such as the monitoring of cell phone conversations between suspected operatives in the United States and known terrorist networks abroad. Law enforcement officials must also be able to scrutinize financial records of individuals funneling monies to terror cells. The Patriot Act has enhanced our security and kept our country safe from another large-scale attack for almost a decade.
Q: How can our government realistically cut the federal debt?
The only means by which the federal government can realistically cut the national debt is through a balanced budget requirement, something to which virtually all state and local governments must constitutionally adhere. Congress should have its credit card privileges revoked. It has lived well beyond its means for far too long, placing a significant debt burden on future generations of taxpayers.
My economic plan would shift power over monetary resources and tax revenues to the states and the people as the founding fathers envisioned. Tax revenue would be collected from individuals only at the state and local level. Funding of the federal budget would require monies collected from each of the fifty states. A funding formula based on several key economic criteria would determine the tax revenue each state would appropriate toward the federal budget.
If the 17th Amendment is repealed, returning the selection of U.S. senators back to the state governments, it would become feasible to rein in the size and scope of federal spending. Senators, acting in the interests of the states, could then curtail the level of spending at the federal level to ensure more tax revenue remains in the states to fund local projects deemed appropriate and necessary by the people, such as schools and road construction.
Q: How can the federal government reform Social Security?
Although the reform of Social Security is a volatile issue with many voters, the reality is that the viability of the system, as well as the Medicare and Medicaid programs, depends on significant changes and restructuring. Within the coming years, the Social Security system will become insolvent. Major reform is the only alternative to save the system from collapse.
Younger workers under the age of 45 must be phased out of the system. This could occur in stages through a buy-out according to birth year. The taxes paid to Social Security by these workers could be transferred to a private investment account of the individual's choosing (i.e. a Roth IRA). Those between the ages of 46-55 could be given an optional buy-out in return for a reduction or elimination of benefits. Those who opt to remain in the system will have their retirement ages increased and/or benefits recalculated. Individuals 56 and older would be guaranteed retirement benefits under the current system. We must uphold our nation's commitment and promise to these individuals.
I would support an optional buy-out for those 56 and over who meet higher retirement income criteria, minus any benefits they have already received from the system. Funding for all proposed buy-outs could be acquired from a number of sources, including the elimination of unnecessary, ineffective, and unconstitutional programs in the discretionary budget. One more note, any individual accepting a buy-out option would pay no federal income taxes on the monies received or reinvested. These were initially tax revenue collections, so to tax them as income would constitute double taxation.
Q&A with Jeff Wisdom, Republican candidate for Congress
Q: As a brand new Congressman, how do you plan to make southwest Missouri’s voice heard in a body of 435 people?
A: A freshman member ofCongress is only going to have so much power and so much of a voice. To be very vocal, you have to build on the experiences that have defined you as a person. Myself - I'm a veteran. There are lots of veterans in this district. So I can be an advocate for them. I'm also an economist. I know what we need to do to create jobs and fix the economy. So I'm hoping that my colleagues in Congress will look to me for ideas as we move forward in building policy for the future.
Q: What’s the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation? How do you intend to address it as a Congressman?
A: The most important issue facing the entire country - not just southwest Missouri - is how to stimulate the economy. The approach that the current administration has taken has not worked. We're still seeing an unemploymentrate right at the 10 percent mark. We're starting to see some growth in gross domestic product, but I believe that's going to be short-term. What we have to do is a lay a foundation where the private sector can create long-term propersity for job growth. The government can only create jobs for a short period of time for stimulus projects and then those jobs go away.
Q: How do you plan to cut through the bitterness and rancor of Capitol Hill so it’s not more of the same old debate?
A: Americans don't want gridlock. They want Democrats and Republicans to work together. I will be a member of Congress that can work with the other side. I will never compromise my conservative principles and values. I look to Reagan as an example. Reagan, as presdient, governed as a conservative president - a Republican president. He got his agenda passed through a very liberal, Democratic Congress. He worked hand-in-hand with Tip O'Neil to work in the best interests of the country. I want to be that type of Congressman in Washington, D.C.
Q: What makes you the right person for this job?
A: I'm real. I'm not all about the money. I'm not a career politician. I have vast experience in the economy. I'm a veteran. I can be an advocate for military families, veterans issues. I also believe in the system. I want to make it work. I want to do the right thing for America. I feel I can be a very strong advocate for southwest Missouri if given the opportunity.
Learn more about Jeff Wisdom's campaign at his website.
A: A freshman member of
Q: What’s the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation? How do you intend to address it as a Congressman?
A: The most important issue facing the entire country - not just southwest Missouri - is how to stimulate the economy. The approach that the current administration has taken has not worked. We're still seeing an unemployment
Q: How do you plan to cut through the bitterness and rancor of Capitol Hill so it’s not more of the same old debate?
A: Americans don't want gridlock. They want Democrats and Republicans to work together. I will be a member of Congress that can work with the other side. I will never compromise my conservative principles and values. I look to Reagan as an example. Reagan, as presdient, governed as a conservative president - a Republican president. He got his agenda passed through a very liberal, Democratic Congress. He worked hand-in-hand with Tip O'Neil to work in the best interests of the country. I want to be that type of Congressman in Washington, D.C.
Q: What makes you the right person for this job?
A: I'm real. I'm not all about the money. I'm not a career politician. I have vast experience in the economy. I'm a veteran. I can be an advocate for military families, veterans issues. I also believe in the system. I want to make it work. I want to do the right thing for America. I feel I can be a very strong advocate for southwest Missouri if given the opportunity.
Learn more about Jeff Wisdom's campaign at his website.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Where Darrell Moore stands on 9 key issues
Q: How should we hand the immigration problem with Mexico? What do you think of the Arizona law?
My position remains the same as it was last year. On my website under “Issues” I took the position last summer that one way we can improve national security is to
safeguard our southern border by:
As for the recent immigration law passed by Arizona, I understand the frustration of the citizens of Arizona given the ongoing failure of the federal government to deal with this issue. However this issue is best handled on the federal level, with true immigration reform and realistic policies to stem illegal immigration being laws which include the elements I outline above. Jason Whitlock states it well when he says: “Illegal immigration is far from a new problem. Arizona should not be tackling this issue alone. Given the endless domestic and international ramifications, it’s a quandary best solved by our politicians in Washington.” Jason Whitlock, “Arizona immigration debacle foretells our demise?” KansasCity.com, posted Tuesday, May, 4, 2010.
Q: How can the Congress promote economic growth and jobs?
First, what the Congress should be doing right now (and what it should have been doing in 2009) is establishing a fiscally realistic, balanced and sustainable budget that keeps revenues and expenditures in line and which eventually retires federal debt. That process requires the examination of all federal programs to determine the purpose of each program, whether that purpose is proper for the federal government to pursue and if it is producing the desired result.
Congress should be focusing primarily on proposals that would get the budget in order, as described above. The bills we should be hearing and reading about in the daily news are ones such as Congressman Paul Ryan's "The Roadmap for America's Future" as proposed in 2008. Or, the "SOS: Stop Over-Spending Act"(s) of 2006, 2007 and 2008 as proposed by Senators Judd Gregg and Mitch McConnell and up to twenty-two other Republican senators. These types of bills are more important now than the recently passed health care reform, climate caps or so called stimulus plans. The American people understand the concept that we should get our finances in order before taking on new, ambitious projects.
Second, I support Congressman Ryan’s proposal to create jobs and a healthy economy by adopting a flat income tax to replace the complicated current income tax; the elimination of taxes on capital gains, interest and dividends; replacing the corporate income tax with a business consumption tax; and capping federal revenue produced from the federal income tax and business consumption tax at nineteen (19) percent of GDP. For more details on Ryan’s plan, go to www.roadmap.republican.budget.house.gov.
The combination of curtailing and reducing federal expenditures with adoption of the tax reforms outlined above will spur investment in and the creation of new jobs.
Q: What can Congress do to make our education system more effective?
Congress can make the education system, particularly for grades K-12, more effective by stepping back and letting local governments and states have full control over the funding and goals of the educational system. Decisions on education are best made at the local and state level, where all the relevant players (parents, teachers, businesses, other community organizations and individuals) have a better chance of being involved in the discussion and establishment of education policy.
Q: Earmarks: what do you think about them and why?
While earmarks make up a small percentage of the federal budget, they have become symbolic in the public’s mind of selfish, parochial spending. One of the main themes of my campaign is Stewardship—Renewing the American Spirit. Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. It is time for governments, nongovernmental organizations and each citizen to adopt a mindset of stewardship of resources, including money, abilities, talents, people and the environment.
Our current social, economic, and environmental problems are due, in large part, to selfishness, greed and other irresponsible actions. The federal government, and in particular Congress, must lead the way by modeling stewardship over the resources and responsibilities entrusted to it by the people. Earmarks should be abolished, not because of the economic impact on total federal spending, but for Congress to signify to the American people that it understands that Congress must be a better steward of the resources entrusted to it.
Allowing individual Congressmen to insert spending for pet projects (like the bridge to nowhere) does not inspire confidence in the people, especially during a time of financial crisis. Eliminating earmarks is a small sacrifice to make to help restore the trust of the American people in the Congress.
Q: Health care: where do we go from here now that the U.S. has reformed health care?
My response is as contained in my blog of March 25, 2010:
"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts." Abraham Lincoln.
The Democratic majority in Congress has managed to pass health care legislation that supposedly extends coverage to those currently not covered by health insurance but does little else. It is neither true reform, nor does it improve the quality of health care for all Americans. As Lincoln said, once the American people see the true impact this bill will have on those who already have insurance by increasing premium costs, an expanded entitlement program that will drive the deficit up by billions (see Congressman Paul Ryan's website), increasing taxes in a weak economy and other negative effects, the majority of people will express their displeasure with ObamaCare when they vote in this fall's Congressional and Senatorial elections.
However, it is not enough for Republicans and Independents to just say "we will repeal this bill! It cannot stand!" As a party, Republicans need to unite behind a health care reform package to offer to the American people as a replacement for the bill enacted this [spring]. Our bill will focus on people controlling their health care, not the government; provide for affordability and portability of health insurance; reduce health care costs in a free market; improve the quality of health care; all without increasing taxes by billions and without creating a huge new entitlement program that we cannot afford.
By the fall campaign, we must be united behind a health care reform plan to offer to the American people as a replacement for the ill-advised and poorly crafted bill that was signed into law this week. Congressman Paul Ryan, Newt Gingrich and others have proposed such plans for health care reform. We need to meld those ideas into a plan that is best for the American people. If we do, I have every confidence they will understand that our plan is best, and vote for candidates in the fall election who support our health care plan as the replacement for ObamaCare.
We need to recognize, and educate the American people, that our plan will not be enacted and replace ObamaCare in the near future. It will be at least a three year process, requiring return of control of the Congress to Republicans through the elections of 2010 and 2012, and electing a Republican President in 2012.
In summary, as succinctly stated by the Wall Street Journal's lead editorial on Tuesday, March 23rd, "Many Republicans are already calling for 'repeal' of ObamaCare, and that's fine with us, although they should also be honest with voters about the prospects. The GOP can't repeal anything as long as Mr. Obama is President, even if they take back Congress in November. That will take two large electoral victories in a row. What they can do now is take credit for fighting on principle, hold Democrats accountable for their votes and consequences, and pledge if elected in November to stop cold Mr. Obama's march to ever-larger government." [Wall Street Journal, Tuesday, March 23, 2010, page A20].
Q: What is your opinion of drilling for oil in national park land and how do you prevent another Gulf oil slick?
As outlined on my issues page on my website, I believe that we should zealously pursue energy independence by:
Q: Discuss the balance between personal privacy and individual freedoms versus protection from terrorists.
Thus far I believe the Congress has managed to walk the fine line between legislation empowering law enforcement agencies to gather information and take steps to protect us from terrorism and still protecting our right to privacy. It is interesting to note that even the Obama administration has kept in place the provisions of the Patriot Act. As a career prosecutor, I am fully aware of the constitutional protections afforded by the 4th and 5th amendments of the U.S. Constitution, and would never support legislation that would in effect void those protections.
Q: How can our government realistically cut the federal debt?
First, it must do as I have suggested since last year:
The combination of curtailing and reducing federal expenditures with adoption of the tax reforms outlined above will spur investment in and the creation of new jobs. It will, if faithfully pursued as policy, put us on the path to not only balancing the budget, but also gradually reducing our national debt.
Americans will have greater confidence in and actually experience a long term economic recovery if the above plan is pursued. Greece should serve as a warning of what will happen here in five years if we do not adopt such a plan soon.
Q: How can the federal government reform Social Security?
Again, I would support as a beginning discussion point the ideas on Social Security and Medicare reform as proposed in the “Roadmap for America’s Future.” Go to www.roadmap.republican.budget.house.gov.
My position remains the same as it was last year. On my website under “Issues” I took the position last summer that one way we can improve national security is to
safeguard our southern border by:
- Enhancing border security with Mexico.
- Enforcing immigration and workplace laws.
- Reforming U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to handle legal immigration better.
- Enhancing the legal worker programs to provide legal avenues that meet the needs of employers and immigrants, providing a better option than illegal immigration.
- Focusing more attention on Central and South America.
As for the recent immigration law passed by Arizona, I understand the frustration of the citizens of Arizona given the ongoing failure of the federal government to deal with this issue. However this issue is best handled on the federal level, with true immigration reform and realistic policies to stem illegal immigration being laws which include the elements I outline above. Jason Whitlock states it well when he says: “Illegal immigration is far from a new problem. Arizona should not be tackling this issue alone. Given the endless domestic and international ramifications, it’s a quandary best solved by our politicians in Washington.” Jason Whitlock, “Arizona immigration debacle foretells our demise?” KansasCity.com, posted Tuesday, May, 4, 2010.
Q: How can the Congress promote economic growth and jobs?
First, what the Congress should be doing right now (and what it should have been doing in 2009) is establishing a fiscally realistic, balanced and sustainable budget that keeps revenues and expenditures in line and which eventually retires federal debt. That process requires the examination of all federal programs to determine the purpose of each program, whether that purpose is proper for the federal government to pursue and if it is producing the desired result.
Congress should be focusing primarily on proposals that would get the budget in order, as described above. The bills we should be hearing and reading about in the daily news are ones such as Congressman Paul Ryan's "The Roadmap for America's Future" as proposed in 2008. Or, the "SOS: Stop Over-Spending Act"(s) of 2006, 2007 and 2008 as proposed by Senators Judd Gregg and Mitch McConnell and up to twenty-two other Republican senators. These types of bills are more important now than the recently passed health care reform, climate caps or so called stimulus plans. The American people understand the concept that we should get our finances in order before taking on new, ambitious projects.
Second, I support Congressman Ryan’s proposal to create jobs and a healthy economy by adopting a flat income tax to replace the complicated current income tax; the elimination of taxes on capital gains, interest and dividends; replacing the corporate income tax with a business consumption tax; and capping federal revenue produced from the federal income tax and business consumption tax at nineteen (19) percent of GDP. For more details on Ryan’s plan, go to www.roadmap.republican.budget.house.gov.
The combination of curtailing and reducing federal expenditures with adoption of the tax reforms outlined above will spur investment in and the creation of new jobs.
Q: What can Congress do to make our education system more effective?
Congress can make the education system, particularly for grades K-12, more effective by stepping back and letting local governments and states have full control over the funding and goals of the educational system. Decisions on education are best made at the local and state level, where all the relevant players (parents, teachers, businesses, other community organizations and individuals) have a better chance of being involved in the discussion and establishment of education policy.
Q: Earmarks: what do you think about them and why?
While earmarks make up a small percentage of the federal budget, they have become symbolic in the public’s mind of selfish, parochial spending. One of the main themes of my campaign is Stewardship—Renewing the American Spirit. Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. It is time for governments, nongovernmental organizations and each citizen to adopt a mindset of stewardship of resources, including money, abilities, talents, people and the environment.
Our current social, economic, and environmental problems are due, in large part, to selfishness, greed and other irresponsible actions. The federal government, and in particular Congress, must lead the way by modeling stewardship over the resources and responsibilities entrusted to it by the people. Earmarks should be abolished, not because of the economic impact on total federal spending, but for Congress to signify to the American people that it understands that Congress must be a better steward of the resources entrusted to it.
Allowing individual Congressmen to insert spending for pet projects (like the bridge to nowhere) does not inspire confidence in the people, especially during a time of financial crisis. Eliminating earmarks is a small sacrifice to make to help restore the trust of the American people in the Congress.
Q: Health care: where do we go from here now that the U.S. has reformed health care?
My response is as contained in my blog of March 25, 2010:
"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts." Abraham Lincoln.
The Democratic majority in Congress has managed to pass health care legislation that supposedly extends coverage to those currently not covered by health insurance but does little else. It is neither true reform, nor does it improve the quality of health care for all Americans. As Lincoln said, once the American people see the true impact this bill will have on those who already have insurance by increasing premium costs, an expanded entitlement program that will drive the deficit up by billions (see Congressman Paul Ryan's website), increasing taxes in a weak economy and other negative effects, the majority of people will express their displeasure with ObamaCare when they vote in this fall's Congressional and Senatorial elections.
However, it is not enough for Republicans and Independents to just say "we will repeal this bill! It cannot stand!" As a party, Republicans need to unite behind a health care reform package to offer to the American people as a replacement for the bill enacted this [spring]. Our bill will focus on people controlling their health care, not the government; provide for affordability and portability of health insurance; reduce health care costs in a free market; improve the quality of health care; all without increasing taxes by billions and without creating a huge new entitlement program that we cannot afford.
By the fall campaign, we must be united behind a health care reform plan to offer to the American people as a replacement for the ill-advised and poorly crafted bill that was signed into law this week. Congressman Paul Ryan, Newt Gingrich and others have proposed such plans for health care reform. We need to meld those ideas into a plan that is best for the American people. If we do, I have every confidence they will understand that our plan is best, and vote for candidates in the fall election who support our health care plan as the replacement for ObamaCare.
We need to recognize, and educate the American people, that our plan will not be enacted and replace ObamaCare in the near future. It will be at least a three year process, requiring return of control of the Congress to Republicans through the elections of 2010 and 2012, and electing a Republican President in 2012.
In summary, as succinctly stated by the Wall Street Journal's lead editorial on Tuesday, March 23rd, "Many Republicans are already calling for 'repeal' of ObamaCare, and that's fine with us, although they should also be honest with voters about the prospects. The GOP can't repeal anything as long as Mr. Obama is President, even if they take back Congress in November. That will take two large electoral victories in a row. What they can do now is take credit for fighting on principle, hold Democrats accountable for their votes and consequences, and pledge if elected in November to stop cold Mr. Obama's march to ever-larger government." [Wall Street Journal, Tuesday, March 23, 2010, page A20].
Q: What is your opinion of drilling for oil in national park land and how do you prevent another Gulf oil slick?
As outlined on my issues page on my website, I believe that we should zealously pursue energy independence by:
- Developing and producing energy in a responsible manner from existing natural resources in the United States.
- Allow drilling for oil and natural gas offshore and in Alaska. At present, I would not support drilling for oil in national park lands. There is no absolute means to prevent another gulf oil leak. To decrease the odds of such a leak occurring again, the federal government must strictly monitor and enforce safety standards on oil platforms, and work with the oil industry to ensure a better response to contain oil leaks before they spread.
- Lift the ban on development of oil shale in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
- Build more refineries.
- Encourage new clean coal development plants.
- Build more nuclear power plants.
- Encourage breakthroughs in alternative energy technologies.
- Make the solar and wind tax credits permanent.
- Offer a series of prizes to accelerate development of alternative energy sources.
Q: Discuss the balance between personal privacy and individual freedoms versus protection from terrorists.
Thus far I believe the Congress has managed to walk the fine line between legislation empowering law enforcement agencies to gather information and take steps to protect us from terrorism and still protecting our right to privacy. It is interesting to note that even the Obama administration has kept in place the provisions of the Patriot Act. As a career prosecutor, I am fully aware of the constitutional protections afforded by the 4th and 5th amendments of the U.S. Constitution, and would never support legislation that would in effect void those protections.
Q: How can our government realistically cut the federal debt?
First, it must do as I have suggested since last year:
- Establish a fiscally realistic, balanced and sustainable budget that keeps revenues and expenditures in line without needlessly raising taxes, and which eventually retires federal debt. A key part of that process requires the examination of all federal programs to determine the purpose of the program, whether that purpose is proper for the federal government to
pursue and if it is producing the desired result. Until this process is completed: - Total federal expenditures must be frozen.
- No new taxes and no increases in current federal taxes.
- Funding increases for an existing or new program must come from
reduction of funds from or elimination of another program
The combination of curtailing and reducing federal expenditures with adoption of the tax reforms outlined above will spur investment in and the creation of new jobs. It will, if faithfully pursued as policy, put us on the path to not only balancing the budget, but also gradually reducing our national debt.
Americans will have greater confidence in and actually experience a long term economic recovery if the above plan is pursued. Greece should serve as a warning of what will happen here in five years if we do not adopt such a plan soon.
Q: How can the federal government reform Social Security?
Again, I would support as a beginning discussion point the ideas on Social Security and Medicare reform as proposed in the “Roadmap for America’s Future.” Go to www.roadmap.republican.budget.house.gov.
Q&A with Darrell Moore
Q: As a brand new Congressman, how do you plan to make southwest Missouri’s voice heard in a body of 435 people?
A: I think the first thing you do is you study what’s going on. I’ve become a big fan of Paul Ryan. I intend to introduce myself to him and make it clear that I think he has some good ideas that we ought to be following, not only as a party but for the whole country. I think the first few weeks – and maybe months – I will be introducing myself, learning the key players, especially Paul Ryan – to let him know he has an ally in his corner.
Q: What’s the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation? How do you intend to address it as a Congressman?
A: Obviously, it’s jobs, the economy. Until we get the economic situation under control, we’re in trouble. The number one problem in the country today is the fact that we run tremendous deficits, we’re not creating new jobs. So I believe we have to get the deficit under control, restrain federal spending, limit government size. Adn then I think we need to eliminate taxes on capital gains, interest and dividends.
Q: How do you plan to cut through the bitterness and rancor of Capitol Hill so it’s not more of the same old debate?
A: I think I have a public record on this. People know I have taken positions on issues, principled stands on issues, without being disagreeable. I think you can do that. I’ve always been courteous. I listen to other people. I think that’s a key part of this thing is that we need to start listening to each other instead of following political agendas and trying to have our speaking points - like right now what’s going on in Washington. Obviously, everyone’s posturing for the November election. That’s not productive.
Q: What makes you the right person for this job?
A: I think the fact that I do have a proven history of public service. I have a record not only in public safety, of being tough on crime, but also as a chief justice agent, being smart on crime. But the public knows I’ve been involved in other public policy issues, just not crime issues. But how can we make the future better for our kids? So I’ve been involved with the community including the school system on improving school attendance. You may recall that was a little bit controversial. But that’s taken on. I’ve been involved in dealing with issues like underage drinking and other issues in the community that affect the quality of life. So I think I have a proven track record that I’m not a stranger or new to public policy issues that affect people. That I really do care about people and that I intend to pursue those issues as their next Congressman.
Learn more about Darrell Moore's campaign at his website.
A: I think the first thing you do is you study what’s going on. I’ve become a big fan of Paul Ryan. I intend to introduce myself to him and make it clear that I think he has some good ideas that we ought to be following, not only as a party but for the whole country. I think the first few weeks – and maybe months – I will be introducing myself, learning the key players, especially Paul Ryan – to let him know he has an ally in his corner.
Q: What’s the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation? How do you intend to address it as a Congressman?
A: Obviously, it’s jobs, the economy. Until we get the economic situation under control, we’re in trouble. The number one problem in the country today is the fact that we run tremendous deficits, we’re not creating new jobs. So I believe we have to get the deficit under control, restrain federal spending, limit government size. Adn then I think we need to eliminate taxes on capital gains, interest and dividends.
Q: How do you plan to cut through the bitterness and rancor of Capitol Hill so it’s not more of the same old debate?
A: I think I have a public record on this. People know I have taken positions on issues, principled stands on issues, without being disagreeable. I think you can do that. I’ve always been courteous. I listen to other people. I think that’s a key part of this thing is that we need to start listening to each other instead of following political agendas and trying to have our speaking points - like right now what’s going on in Washington. Obviously, everyone’s posturing for the November election. That’s not productive.
Q: What makes you the right person for this job?
A: I think the fact that I do have a proven history of public service. I have a record not only in public safety, of being tough on crime, but also as a chief justice agent, being smart on crime. But the public knows I’ve been involved in other public policy issues, just not crime issues. But how can we make the future better for our kids? So I’ve been involved with the community including the school system on improving school attendance. You may recall that was a little bit controversial. But that’s taken on. I’ve been involved in dealing with issues like underage drinking and other issues in the community that affect the quality of life. So I think I have a proven track record that I’m not a stranger or new to public policy issues that affect people. That I really do care about people and that I intend to pursue those issues as their next Congressman.
Learn more about Darrell Moore's campaign at his website.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Where Michael Wardell stands on 9 key issues
First, I don't believe the problem rests solely as a problem with Mexico, but it is the conduit for most of the illegal trafficking of drugs and people into the U.S. We must secure our porous border. Congress approved funding to build a barrier to reduce illegal immigration, but building the wall remains an elusive goal.
Missouri's requires all employers to verify their employees are documented as citizens or legal immigrants before they begin work. This is a good step. The challenge is taking it to the national level because under the 10th Amendment, the States have the right and responsibility to enforce corporate regulation. As a parent of a dual-citizen child, the process in place to ensure correct and lawful immigration is sound, but execution and enforcement of the law continues to fail. The People of the Great State of Arizona through the process of the legislation, passed a law that they felt was necessary for the people in that state. Yes, there are howls of protest against it, but when you have 70% of the citizens favor the new law, it's difficult to dispute its importance to the state. Questioning someone about their status only after stopping them for another legal reason seems reasonable.
Missouri's requires all employers to verify their employees are documented as citizens or legal immigrants before they begin work. This is a good step. The challenge is taking it to the national level because under the 10th Amendment, the States have the right and responsibility to enforce corporate regulation. As a parent of a dual-citizen child, the process in place to ensure correct and lawful immigration is sound, but execution and enforcement of the law continues to fail. The People of the Great State of Arizona through the process of the legislation, passed a law that they felt was necessary for the people in that state. Yes, there are howls of protest against it, but when you have 70% of the citizens favor the new law, it's difficult to dispute its importance to the state. Questioning someone about their status only after stopping them for another legal reason seems reasonable.
Q: How can the Congress promote economic growth and jobs?
Looking back in time over the last 200 plus years of our Nation's history, the greatest growth period was when the federal government lowered controls, corporate taxes, and got out of the way of industry and business. Think about it for a minute, from the year 1812, our last little scrap with England, until 1912 our population exploded 13 fold from seven million to 92 million people.
Looking back in time over the last 200 plus years of our Nation's history, the greatest growth period was when the federal government lowered controls, corporate taxes, and got out of the way of industry and business. Think about it for a minute, from the year 1812, our last little scrap with England, until 1912 our population exploded 13 fold from seven million to 92 million people.
People came here to escape the problems of the Europe and the rest of the world. We went from a fledgling nation to one of a global economic might in 100 years. The best way for our Government to promote economic growth is get out of the way of the American people, cut the federal budget in half, and let the people keep more of their money. But the MOST important thing to gauge is who, without Congress as a whole or needing 217 votes to pass a bill, is going to facilitate jobs and economic growth here in the district?
I believe that it is time for us in the 7th to think out of the box, and begin doing things different to get families working again. Since I am unwilling to wait until, at a minimum, 2013 to get any type of tax relief for small businesses and working families, I’ve started an initiative to get the people of the 7th working again. Even if someone is a 2 man operation, exporting goods to a market that is not damaged as ours will diversify a company’s markets as well as create orders that need to be filled. With this increased demand for goods, it will require an increase in jobs needed to fill those orders.
The one advantage we have in this economy is a weak Dollar, and we can exploit that advantage with great Missouri products at very competitive prices, globally. My upcoming trade mission to Japan is precisely what South West Missouri needs. Someone who not only can work within the confines of Congress, but can and will lead the Businesses and the families of the 7th out of the economic doldrums we are experiencing today. With the ability to empower businesses with a guide to expand their sales on the global stage, we can and will overcome our unacceptable level of unemployment.
Q: What can Congress do to make our education system more effective?
Give the power of education back to the states. The one solution fits all Department of Education thinking doesn’t meet the educational needs in Nixa, Missouri; Bonita, California; or Bar Harbor, Maine, but the people in those cities and states do.
Q: What can Congress do to make our education system more effective?
Give the power of education back to the states. The one solution fits all Department of Education thinking doesn’t meet the educational needs in Nixa, Missouri; Bonita, California; or Bar Harbor, Maine, but the people in those cities and states do.
Since the federal government took over the public education, creating the Department of Education, test scores have continued to drop. We once were a nation of great engineers, and now American companies are outsourcing and leaving our country in search of engineers. It’s obvious the Department of Education fails our children.
I will quote Ron Paul extensively on this one. Although I do not agree with Dr. Paul on everything, I wholeheartedly agree with him here:
I think there is a lot of misunderstanding about exactly what it means to vote against an earmark. It's very popular today to condemn earmarks and even hold up legislation because of this.
The truth is that if you removed all the earmarks from the budget you would not save one dime. The money was already appropriated when the federal budget was passed. The budget must be cut to have any impact on the national debt. Earmarks have become a catchphrase that magnifies the anger at Washington, but the overall problem is the trillions and trillions approved in each yearly budget. Earmarks come out of this mass of spending appropriations after Congress approves the money to spend. In other words, the money will be spent regardless of whether you earmark or not. To sign no earmark pledges and work to return this money to the district robs Southwest Missouri of jobs and economic development and it hurts the district. What we need to enforce is earmark reform that ensures earmarks meet the 18 enumerated powers given to Congress.
So, in many ways what congress is doing is reneging on their responsibilities. It is the responsibility of the Congress to earmark. Congress is supposed to tell the people how we're spending the money. Not to just deliver it in the lump sum to the executive branch and let them deal with it. Do the people of Southwest Missouri want the Obama administration to seize this power and make appropriation decisions for the country? Of course not, but that’s exactly the reality of Congress removing the earmark process. Actually, if you voted against all the earmarks there would be less transparency. Earmarks allow transparency and we know exactly where federal money is spent, in spite of what my fellow republicans who have pledged against them.
The real issue is the spending. If I don't like the spending, then I'll vote against the bill. But the principle of earmarking is something that we have to think about because we're just further undermining the responsibilities that I'll have in the Congress if elected. If we want to get things under control it won't be because I vote against an earmark and make a big deal of attacking earmarks because it doesn't address the subject.
In reality what we need are more earmarks. Just think of the 350 billion dollars that congress appropriated and gave to the Treasury Department. Afterwards, everybody was running around and saying, "We don't know where the money went, we just gave it to them in a lump sum". We should have earmarked everything. It should have been designated where the money is going. So instead of too many earmarks we don't have enough earmarks. Transparency is the only way we can find the underlying cause of this and if you make everything earmarked, it requires the author to be known
The definition of an earmark is very, very confusing. If you would vote to support the embassy in Baghdad which came up to nearly a billion dollars, that's not called an earmark. But if you have an earmark for a highway or a building here in the United States, that is called an earmark. But if you vote for a weapons system, it would support and help a district and that's not considered an earmark. When people are yelling and screaming about getting rid of earmarks, they're not talking about getting rid of weapons systems or building buildings and bridges and highways in foreign countries. They only talk about earmarks when it is designated that certain money will be spent a certain way in this country.
The bottom line is this: The sooner Congress wakes up to their responsibilities, understand what earmarks are, and understand why we need earmarks, then we will come to our senses why earmarks benefit our district. Earmarks are transparent with exception of the so-called "airdropped earmark" that is one that suddenly appears in the conference report between the two chambers when it appears in neither the House nor the Senate version prior to the conference. I'm all in favor of killing “airdropped earmarks.” So the sooner congress realizes that, I think it will be better for the taxpayer.
I think there is a lot of misunderstanding about exactly what it means to vote against an earmark. It's very popular today to condemn earmarks and even hold up legislation because of this.
The truth is that if you removed all the earmarks from the budget you would not save one dime. The money was already appropriated when the federal budget was passed. The budget must be cut to have any impact on the national debt. Earmarks have become a catchphrase that magnifies the anger at Washington, but the overall problem is the trillions and trillions approved in each yearly budget. Earmarks come out of this mass of spending appropriations after Congress approves the money to spend. In other words, the money will be spent regardless of whether you earmark or not. To sign no earmark pledges and work to return this money to the district robs Southwest Missouri of jobs and economic development and it hurts the district. What we need to enforce is earmark reform that ensures earmarks meet the 18 enumerated powers given to Congress.
So, in many ways what congress is doing is reneging on their responsibilities. It is the responsibility of the Congress to earmark. Congress is supposed to tell the people how we're spending the money. Not to just deliver it in the lump sum to the executive branch and let them deal with it. Do the people of Southwest Missouri want the Obama administration to seize this power and make appropriation decisions for the country? Of course not, but that’s exactly the reality of Congress removing the earmark process. Actually, if you voted against all the earmarks there would be less transparency. Earmarks allow transparency and we know exactly where federal money is spent, in spite of what my fellow republicans who have pledged against them.
The real issue is the spending. If I don't like the spending, then I'll vote against the bill. But the principle of earmarking is something that we have to think about because we're just further undermining the responsibilities that I'll have in the Congress if elected. If we want to get things under control it won't be because I vote against an earmark and make a big deal of attacking earmarks because it doesn't address the subject.
In reality what we need are more earmarks. Just think of the 350 billion dollars that congress appropriated and gave to the Treasury Department. Afterwards, everybody was running around and saying, "We don't know where the money went, we just gave it to them in a lump sum". We should have earmarked everything. It should have been designated where the money is going. So instead of too many earmarks we don't have enough earmarks. Transparency is the only way we can find the underlying cause of this and if you make everything earmarked, it requires the author to be known
The definition of an earmark is very, very confusing. If you would vote to support the embassy in Baghdad which came up to nearly a billion dollars, that's not called an earmark. But if you have an earmark for a highway or a building here in the United States, that is called an earmark. But if you vote for a weapons system, it would support and help a district and that's not considered an earmark. When people are yelling and screaming about getting rid of earmarks, they're not talking about getting rid of weapons systems or building buildings and bridges and highways in foreign countries. They only talk about earmarks when it is designated that certain money will be spent a certain way in this country.
The bottom line is this: The sooner Congress wakes up to their responsibilities, understand what earmarks are, and understand why we need earmarks, then we will come to our senses why earmarks benefit our district. Earmarks are transparent with exception of the so-called "airdropped earmark" that is one that suddenly appears in the conference report between the two chambers when it appears in neither the House nor the Senate version prior to the conference. I'm all in favor of killing “airdropped earmarks.” So the sooner congress realizes that, I think it will be better for the taxpayer.
I do not believe for a New York minute the piece of legislation called the 'Health Care Bill' has anything to do with health care for three reasons.
It excludes some members of the House, Senate, and Executive Branch and their respective senior staff from the bill, so much for the equal protection clause.
Tort reform was not in the bill and it should have been. We can't lower malpractice insurance until we get the lawyers under control. Nevertheless, that does not mean that doctors are immune from being sued, but caps should be put in place.
Where in the U.S. Constitution enumerates Congress to enact this law? Nowhere. If those who counter argue with the 'regulate business' then insurance companies will incorporate in every state, knocking the government’s nose out from under the tent.
It excludes some members of the House, Senate, and Executive Branch and their respective senior staff from the bill, so much for the equal protection clause.
Tort reform was not in the bill and it should have been. We can't lower malpractice insurance until we get the lawyers under control. Nevertheless, that does not mean that doctors are immune from being sued, but caps should be put in place.
Where in the U.S. Constitution enumerates Congress to enact this law? Nowhere. If those who counter argue with the 'regulate business' then insurance companies will incorporate in every state, knocking the government’s nose out from under the tent.
You can't prevent another accident through legislation. The same question would then apply to the question "How do you prevent another car accident on I-44?" Drilling for Oil on National Park Land is referring to ANWR. Again the question needs to asked" where in the U.S. Constitution does the Federal Gov have the right besides the 10 square miles noted and military bases, to own land? Nowhere.
There are always risks associated with exploration that benefits the human condition, and we must work to limit those risks while not sacrificing the human condition. We are killing the American spirit with this idea of limiting exploration that improves our lives.
There are always risks associated with exploration that benefits the human condition, and we must work to limit those risks while not sacrificing the human condition. We are killing the American spirit with this idea of limiting exploration that improves our lives.
Freedom and Personal Privacy are paramount as they are bedrock principles of our Republic. To alter them in the name of security, is not and should not be the policy of this nation.
It’s interesting to note that prior to 9/11 only 33 air marshals were employed by the Gov. and Pilots were not allowed to be armed. Had they been, e-mail monitoring, cell phone tapping, full body scanners and the patriot act would not exist. The balance should be personal responsibility and freedom over so called ‘Protection’ the Government can not protect us from the lone nut job or two, but it is empowered to protect the Nation from Foreign powers that wish us harm i.e. monitoring communication overseas and getting warrants to tap phones given probable cause .
I just stated, no amount of legislation will stop a terrorist with a mission, but an individual exercising all his or her freedoms will go further than any agency of the Federal Government.
Cutting the Debt means, you start with the budget. This is no different than our personal checkbook, you either cut spending and use the difference to pay down the balance, or you increase taxes and do the same. I’m not in favor of raising taxes.
I’m in favor of cutting Federal Gov. employee salaries to include members of Congress and the President. If they don’t hurt it will never get fixed. Cut out agencies that do not have enumerated powers would be a great start. Education, Dept of Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, to name a few. These services, if needed, are left up to the states or the people (10th Amendment) Although this sounds unrealistic, the alternative is worse.
When I announced my run for the 7th Congressional District back in October of last year, I wrote:
With a 40+ Trillion Dollar deficit pending, there is no way we can continue down this path of destruction. For those who have been planning on Social Security as part of their retirement, we ensure that we honor our commitment. For those who have some time to adjust, we allow them to invent themselves, all the way, partly, or not at all. Government has shown that the Bernie Madoff school of investing doesn’t work. The bottom line is this, I can fire Wall St., I can’t fire D.C. This is the only way to ensure solvency.
Q&A with Michael Wardell, Republican for Congress
by Joe Daues, KSPR News
Q: As a brand new Congressman, how do you plan to make southwest Missouri’s voice heard in a body of 435 people?
A: That's a pretty loud voice you're going to have to have. There's a lot of noise that's being done in Washington. What we have to do is we have to start making ourselves a lot more accessible to foreign markets. I'm going to drift a little bit and I'll come back. Just being normal isn't not going to work here. We've got to do things a little bit out of the box. We've got to start looking for jobs elsewhere. We've got to start doing things differently here. I plan on doing that from the get-go.
A: That's a pretty loud voice you're going to have to have. There's a lot of noise that's being done in Washington. What we have to do is we have to start making ourselves a lot more accessible to foreign markets. I'm going to drift a little bit and I'll come back. Just being normal isn't not going to work here. We've got to do things a little bit out of the box. We've got to start looking for jobs elsewhere. We've got to start doing things differently here. I plan on doing that from the get-go.
Q: What’s the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation? How do you intend to address it as a Congressman?
A: Jobs is arguably the key point here. We've got 10 percent unemployment, 17% under-employment. The thing of it is we've got a situation here in the Ozarks - we've got great products; we've got great manufacturing but nobody is capitalizing on the foreign markets. We can export to Japan. We can export to Brazil and into China. Their economies are very vibrant right now. Ours isn't. Ours is struggling. One of the things I bring to the table is the ability to communicate and open those lines of communication to those venues overseas.
Q: How do you plan to cut through the bitterness and rancor of Capitol Hill so it’s not more of the same old debate?
A: I don't think anyone's ever going to be able to cut through any of that. The House is a very,very partisan House. It's designed that way. I think civility, I think a little bit of personal diplomacy. We're not going to agree on 100 percent of the things we're going to talk about. There's probably 80 percent of the things we're going to disagree on. But there's 20 percent of the things we can agree on and those things should be talked about so we can move forward to help the people of southwest Missouri.
Q: What makes you the right person for this job?
A: Like I said about my jobs plan, everyone else is talking about cutting taxes and I couldn't agree more with it. But let's be frank: we'd have to win the House. We're going to have to take hold of the Senate. We're going to have to win the White House back before we're ever going to get any kind of tax cut legislation through the legislature. The president's not going to sign anything. My plan of trying to build exports and export our products and bring jobs into the district can work whether we're in the minority or we're in the majority. If we're in the majority, cutting taxes is going to help. But right now everyone else is talking tax cuts. I'm talking about opening roads to China, to Europe and to South America so we can begin bringing jobs back here.
Learn more about Michael Wardell's campaign at his website.
Learn more about Michael Wardell's campaign at his website.
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