Candidate selector: U..S. House of Representatives, 3rd District / LJWorld.com

What should be done to reduce the price of gasoline and food?

If we reduce the fuel costs then the cost of food will go down. I believe that off shore drilling should be allowed in order to increase production. The increase in supply would offset higher demand, lowering the cost of fuel. In the long run I believe that liquid hydrogen should be explored as an alternative fuel.

I can remember the days when you had to wait in lines at the gas pump 30 years later, Congress still has not dealt with this issue. With the cost of gas increasing, the cost of everything from food to clothing is as well. Rather than address the issue, Congress continues to push it aside, hoping that the problem might disappear. In Congress, I will do what it takes to implement a full, comprehensive and balanced solution to our nation's energy crisis including: supporting clean alternative energy sources like bio-fuels, wind, solar, and nuclear; encouraging conservation and energy efficiency through tax incentives; increasing the number of refineries to get cheaper gasoline to market; increasing domestic energy production, including lifting the ban on offshore drilling and going after abuses in oil speculation.

When should the United States withdraw troops from Iraq?

There were certainly mistakes made in the initial handling of the war, particularly waiting so long before implementing a strategy like the surge. But spending our time now arguing what should have been done will not bring our men and women in uniform home, which I think most of us would agree we hope to do soon, once there no longer is a threat of leaving behind an oil-rich Al-Qaeda state. To leave before would undermine the sacrifices made by our military, would create a threat to our national security and the stability of the Middle East, would open the door for genocide against the Iraqi people and would endanger the American forces that would remain in a draw-down. We must seek counsel from the military commanders on the ground, work with the Iraqi Administration to ensure they are taking the necessary measures to provide for their own security, and then quickly and responsibly bring our military home.

I believe that we should withdraw only when the political and religious situation is stabilized.

Would you support making permanent, the tax cuts approved in 2003?

I would support the tax cuts to be permanent but I would go further by lowering taxes to 10% for individuals and no taxes for businesses or corporations.

Tax policy is one of the many issues that this current Congress has failed to successfully address. Earlier this year, Dennis Moore and his colleagues voted for a federal budget that increases government spending to record levels and paves the way for a $683 billion tax increase - the largest tax increase in American history. Under this budget, the average 3rd District family would pay an additional $2,422 in taxes. I would vote to make both the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent and support an immediate freeze on wasteful pork-barrel pet-projects to begin to get our spending in line.

What should be done to help those without health insurance?

I believe all Americans should have access to a national insurance program. I believe medical decisions should be made by medical doctors and not the insurance companies.

"It seems as though health care has been talked about in campaigns for decades - but nothing ever gets done. The status-quo politicians in Congress simply refuse to address the issue. Our current health-care system needs reform; there is no doubt about that. I believe in a market-driven health-care system that will ensure that every American has the opportunity to select an affordable policy that most fits his or her needs.

How would you reduce the national debt?

I would reduce spending across the board.

Washington politicians spend more and they tax more and too often those tax dollars go toward funding ridiculous pork-barrel pet-projects like building a library and personal office for New York Congressman Charlie Rangel. The folks in Washington operate as though Americans are not giving them enough money - I completely disagree with that mentality. The individual taxpayers are far more capable of spending their money effectively than Washington politicians. I would propose a complete moratorium on earmarks until the system can be thoroughly reformed. We need to cut spending and stand up to representatives in Congress who consistently abuse the earmark process and not support their pet-projects simply so they'll return the favor.

What should be done about illegal immigration?

Proverbs 29:4 NAB states, 'By justice the king gives stability to the land, but he who imposes heavy taxes ruins it.' Aliens who help our economy and wish to become citizens I am perfectly willing to help, but those who pillage our country to enhance their own countries, I feel should be taken to the courts and justice should be served and they should be deported back to their own countries.

Thanks to Congress' inaction, illegal immigration has become a bigger problem than it ever should have been. There is no better example of how Congress is broken than its inability to pass and implement true border security and immigration reform that does not include amnesty. I believe we must: first secure our borders and enforce our current laws, prevent government benefits from going to those here illegally, give employers the tools they need to comply with the law, and we can never reward those who break our laws. No amnesty.

Is President Bush doing a good job?

Wartime presidents have a poor showing at the polls. I feel history will show that given the circumstances he has done a better than his present showing indicates.

There is no doubt that the problems in Washington are bipartisan in nature. Both parties have lost their way. But George Bush is not on a ballot this year, and we must look toward fixing our problems for the future and not focusing on the past. I built a career of accomplishments in the Kansas Senate on bipartisan solutions and I aim to bring that same reputation for bridge-building to Congress.

How should global warming be addressed?

We should be doing extensive research in the application of hydrogen as a source of fuel.

One of the most critical issues facing Congress is energy. Congress' failure to develop a comprehensive and balanced energy policy has directly resulted in $4 per gallon gasoline and rising costs on everything. I support a comprehensive and balanced energy policy that includes biofuels, wind and solar power. We have a tremendous amount of untapped potential with our natural resources in Kansas alone and I support a responsible stewardship of these resources. Developing a comprehensive energy policy that decreases our reliance on foreign oil will be one of my top priorities.

Do you support allowing budget earmarks?

The earmark process in Washington is spiraling out of control. Rather than making it open and transparent, as was promised by Nancy Pelosi when she became speaker last year, the politicians in Washington have continued to abuse the earmark process at unprecedented levels. Last year alone, Dennis Moore voted for over 9,000 pork-barrel pet-projects, including voting specifically to spend $2 million for a library and personal office named after a New York Congressman who has given $36,000 to Dennis Moore's campaign account. The only way to truly reform the earmark process is to put in place an immediate moratorium on earmarks so that the system can be thoroughly evaluated by a bipartisan committee and bipartisan reforms put in place. If there are legitimate projects that require Federal funding, Congress should not be ashamed to put that vote before the American people.

I don't believe adding earmarks is ethical and it should be eliminated as a common practice.

What would be your top priority if elected to Congress?

My highest priority if elected into Congress would be to initiate legislation for the adoption of the 10% Tithe Flat Income Tax. In the Bible it tells of Abraham giving to Melchezidek a 10% Tithe Tax, which is the most perfect tax given. I believe that will enhance capitalism to its greatest extent.I don't believe in taxing businesses or corporations; only individual should be taxed.

I am gravely concerned about the future of this country not for my purposes, but for my grandchildren. If the politicians in Washington don't stand up and start addressing the critical issues at hand - the economy, energy independence, out-of-control spending and taxes - I worry that they will not have the same opportunities and quality of life with which I was blessed.

2008 race for U.S. House of Representatives 3rd District