Join us Tuesday, Oct. 19 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for a live chat with 3rd District Congressional GOP candidate Kevin Yoder. You can submit your questions in advance below.

nonpartisanvoter

The budget that you sponsored but did not get passed seemed to be draconian in nature to some of us who are moderates. Plus, there was a study that said your budget would hurt the economy worse than the increase in sales tax. Can you help undecided voters understand your support of that budget? Can you help undecided voters understand what you think you could have done differently to get your budget passed?

nonpartisanvoter

You did not appear at the Lawrence Chamber’s voter forum recently. Can you explained to undecided voters in Lawrence why you did not hold to that commitment. I, for one, was in the audience, waiting to hear from you and Mrs. Moore. She was late, but at least was there. I was disappointed that you did not attend and that as a voter, I had been told that I could expect you. Help me understand how not to take this as a sign that you don’t really want my vote.

nonpartisanvoter

While labels are difficult sometimes, they are how we identify ourselves. Are you most comfortable as a moderate, as we first knew you, or as a conservative, as you are now being described? Which is most true to who you are?

nonpartisanvoter

Final Question: I want to trust you, but I am not sure that I can. I am not sure I know who you are poltiically speaking. Your voting record as a KS legislator has become increasingly more conservative. I am more comfortable with a moderate in Congress. How do I know who you are and how you will represent us in Washington?

rockchalk2213

What specifically would you do to reduce our national deficit?

Orwell

I heard you say on a KCUR radio interview that the entire defense budget was “off limits” for spending reductions because we must support our troops overseas.

Do you honestly believe every dollar in the present defense budget is necessary to the support of our troops overseas?

selliott9

Do you support the Ryan budget, or do you have a plan that you think you’ll support?

Sean Michael,
Lawrence

sully97

I am a veteran of not only the war on terror, but also of the conflict in Balkans where I witnessed first-hand the terrors of genocide. It goes without saying that I was more than a bit disturbed at the accusation of a pending geriatric genocide via the ‘death panel’ charges over the health insurance reform debate. It’s dangerous talk and I’m not sure that those who perpetuate it realize how easy it is to lose control of the fire they play with. More disturbing for me is that a major political party apparently had no problem embracing such a false narrative.
I would like to know how anyone who claims to care about their community and country can remain in political party that openly embraces such destructive politicking?

TPowell78

The Democrats failed to pass a budget this year, and I have a problem with that. Would you support Paul Ryan’s Roadmap as a plan for the budget?

TPowell78

Regardless of whether you think it’s a state or federal issue, what is your personal stance on gay marriage and should it be legal in Kansas?

TPowell78

In your campaign, you’ve highlighted the deficit as a major problem, yet you support extending all the Bush Tax Cuts which could add up to $4 Trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years. Aside from cutting discretionary spending, what spending cuts would you vote for in Congress to balance this out?

Jimo

How will you balance the budget without raising revenues? We need $1.3 trillion in specific programs. Please provide answers in a form that readers can duplicate with their calculators in hand.

TheWalkingTree

What portions of ObamaCare do you support the repeal of? Do you support a full repeal, including regulations that allow younger Americans to stay on their parent’s insurance, or just repealing parts that drive up the federal debt? Wouldn’t it be easier to allow the courts to judge the constitutionality of the individual mandate?

TheWalkingTree

Do you support the federal stimulus bill? Do we need more stimulus spending right now?

TheWalkingTree

What is your position on using federal money for job retraining to alleviate the growing labor shortage between job openings and qualified applicants?

TheWalkingTree

Is the federal government too small, too large or just right?

IValueIntelligence

Over the past few years, it seems you have been disconnected from what Kansans really want. I realize that low taxes are an important value to Kansans — but so are the values of public schools and quality of life. How do you reconcile your voting record on education issues (particularly funding for K-12 education) with your desire to represent this Kansas Congressional district in Washington, D.C., when you have not shown yourself to support either K-12 schools or overall quality of life programs in Topeka?

Larzia

What specific steps do you plan on taking to allow the private sector to create jobs?

kbjones

Do you think we should have gay marriage in Kansas?

kbjones

How can we stop the big unions from causing problems for the business community?

jhawk926

What are your aspirations, as far as offices, in the political field for the future?

dan7537

what is card check and would you support it?

TheWalkingTree

How do you create jobs in an uncertain economic climate like todays?

dan7537

should we consider raising the retirement age as a solution for fixing social security?

hockeyplayer27

What can Congress do to deal with the unemployment problem facing our country?

Jcjayhawk1

Would you support a new initiative to prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol based on it’s harmful effects? Keep in mind that approx 100,000.00 people die each year from alcohol related instances.

kansanjayhawk

The Obama administration is considering a blanket moratorium on foreclosures, many economist believe that this could further disrupt the economy by leaving taxpayers to hold the bag on these expenses what is your opinion. Also, will you support continueing the don’t ask don’t tell policy for our military that will prevent homosexuals from actively recruiting on military bases and within the military maintaining a policy of morality on this issue?

whatzit

Kevin,
Why did you decide to not participate in any more debates with Ms. Moore and Ms. Talbert?

Also, I have heard rumors about your personal life. How do you address people saying your marriage to Brooke is one of convenience and for perfecting a public image? Why did you have a man live with you while Brooke worked in D.C.?

kuhusker

Let me clarify a bit. In the Kansas Legislature, you had a reputation os a moderate who worked with both parties to get stuff done. I appreciated this bipartisanship. I have voted for Dennis Moore in the past, but am considering voting for you in 2010. I want to ask you specifically, are you willing to continue being a moderate voice and working with both parties if elected?

jayhawkanne

A small but vocal [mainly republican and/or tea party] minority have called for repeal of the 14th, 16th, and 17th Constitutional Amendments. What is your opinion on those amendments and the call to repeal them?

formerlyanonymous

You are relatively young, with limited experience in the state legislature. What are your qualifications for serving in the 3rd Congressional district?

Orwell

Any idea what happened to the question I submitted yesterday?

whatzit

I see you position on government spending is to reduce it. If this is what you believe, why don’t you propose some real legislation, like cutting the pay of elected officials?

bobberboy

kevin are you that nutball libertarian koch brothers gopher ?

ajmag

As you know, the cost of higher education has increased at many times the rate of the cost of health care. As a representative, what would you do to help curtail this trend, and what policies would you implement to make the cost of education more affordable to young Americans?

Moderator

I’d like to thank Kevin for joining us for today’s live chat. We’ll get started right now!

Kevin Yoder

Thanks for having me – looking forward to the discussion!

kuhusker

I admired your work in the Legislature the past few years – you acted as a moderate Republican voice that was willing to work with both sides to fix our state’s problems. However, in your campaign materials, you seems to be emphasizing much more right-wing views then in the past. Has your political philosophy changed?

Kevin Yoder

I believe very strongly that our federal government is borrowing, spending and taxing too much. I believe that we have to change the philosophy and direction in which our country is heading. There are some very basic but important American ideals that are being lost: freedom, individual liberty and free enterprise. Many of the policies coming out of Washington over the past few years have grown the size of the federal budget, increased the size of the national debt and expanded the regulatory authority of federal agencies.

The result has been record deficits and staggering unemployment. The policies of bigger and more expansive government aren’t working. We must return to traditional limited government and free enterprise values if we are going to restore the prosperity and potential of the United States.

As your Congressman, I’ll work every day to fight for these principles and values.

yngredstater

What is your biggest issue with the new Health Care Law? and, if elected, do you plan to address the issue?

Kevin Yoder

I believe that we need true bi-partisan healthcare reform that increases accessibilty, affordabilty and quality of care for every American. This is an important issue and unfortunately the new governmental takeover of healthcare will decrease the quality of care, create longer waiting lines and increase the costs of care for every American. In addition, the plan promises to make drastic cuts to Medicare. Our national debt is over $13 trillion dollars. The federal government has a horrible track-record of managing federal resources. Allowing bureaucrats and politicians in Washington to take greater control of 1/6 of the economy is going to add to the national deficit and lead to a lower quality of care for many Americans. If elected I will work to repeal and replace this flawed law with true reform that includes allowing competition to reduce costs and increase quality by allowing insurance companies to sell insurance across state lines, allowing individuals to deduct their health insurance premiums on their taxes and allowing small business owners to pool together and share risk. These ideas and many others would be the start of true healthcare reform in this country.

csoul

What is your position on “Complete Streets”, and making Kansas roadways safer for bicyclists and pedestrians?

Moderator

For more information on Complete Streets, users can see this link: http://www.completestreets.org/

Kevin Yoder

As a KU Student and Lawrence resident for 8 years, I saw firsthand the value and importance of bike lanes to our community. As KU Student Body President, I worked with student leaders to add bike racks to the front of campus busses so students would be encouraged to use bicycles and public transportation. Downtown Lawrence is a treasure and the pedestrian crossings and accessibility to all forms of transportation is important to the community and the state of Kansas.

nonpartisanvoter

You were supportive of LGBT rights as a Kansas legislator and have been endorsed by the Kansas Equality Coalition for that support. Will you continue to be a supporter of LGBT rights if elected to Congress? Do you support the repeal of DADT? DOMA?

Kevin Yoder

In Kansas, marriage has been defined since 1861 as between one man and one woman and I support that law. I believe that this is a state’s rights issue and I support the Federal Defense of Marriage Act.

AreUNorml

How do you feel about the push for California to legalize the use of marijuana for adults? Would you support such an action in the state of Kansas?

Kevin Yoder

As we’ve seen with the California economy and bankrupt California state government, California is not the trend setter by which we want to model our federal government. We have 9.6% unemployment in this country and small businesses and families are struggling to make ends meet. We need to focus on the task at hand: getting America back to work and balancing our federal budget. Legalizing drugs in this country is not the answer to these problems and I would oppose federal legislation that would legalize or expand drug use in the United States.

Moderator

Our time with Kevin is up. I’d like to thank him for joining us today for the live chat. A big thank you to our users for submitting questions for Kevin — I’m sorry we couldn’t get to all of them!

Kevin Yoder

Thanks to your readers for submitting questions. This was fun. If you would like more information about our campaign, please go to our website at www.KevinYoder.com. As a proud Jayhawk, I’d appreciate your vote on November 2nd!