Blogging Local (3rd Dist) Rep Debate

Co-Sponsored by The [Lowell] Sun and the Lowell Republicn City Committee.

Candidates are John Golnik and Tom Weaver.

Questioners are Mary Burns and Chris Camire and Dr Frank Talty.  The moderator is Jim Stergios.

FIRST DRAFT—LOOK FOR UPDATE

Taxes, Fiscal Policy and Job Creation

Mary: What is your jobs plan?
JG Jobs crisis. Private sector nor creating jobs. Lack visibility. Extend Bush tax cuts, permanently. Cut corporate tax rates to OEDC average.
TW I know how to create jobs, have created them. Jobs is about certainty.
JG vs TW no specifics. Regulations growing.
TH vs JG need to build consensus in Congress.

Chris: About PPACA. Can we tweak it?
JG It can't be fixed, it must be repealed (two big and complicated). Yes, some things like
TW Can't "tweak" the law—repeal it. Then the work begins. Getting further and further away from PCP.

Frank: You favor reducing corporate tax rate. Reduce subsidies, like oil [?].
JG Yes, close the loopholes.
TW Corporatetax rate is passed straight through to consumers. Closing loopholes and subsidies good—we have a big debt

Mary: The "You Didn't Build That" comment.
TW It is wrong, but some believe that and we need to explain that.
JG Can't run on record so he is putting his foot in his mouth.

Chris: Defense spending cuts put jobs at risk.
JG Sequestration? A deal needs to be made. It will happen at the last minute.
TW Problem is Defense is 25% of budget and 50% of give-back. Define the job and then fund it. Fraud and waste won't close the gap.

Frank: would you support cuts to foreign aid and to who.
TW Can't afford it. Give to NGOs and PVOs. Subsidies foreign dictators.
JG Being used to help us fight on terrorism. Use it in short-sighted way, eg, Pakistan. Go for comprehensive peace.

Mary: Do you support the Ryan Budget.
JG We have been beaten over the head with it. It is going right, but not yet ready for a vote. Need to fix health care costs. It does start the discussion.
TW Good start, but it doesn't act to limit government. He still wants to fix all our problems.

Chris: NPS here in Lowell. Should Fed Gov't be involved in our NPS?
JG Devolve it to the states.
TW NPS wonderful, but need to push down to sstates. Limited government.

Frank: Entitlements, re Social Security, with fund running toward depletion.
TW If we don't fix it, it will go bankrupt. We need to sustain for retirees, and find way for young folks to save for retirement.
JG Commitment to thse retired and retiring, but for those entering work force we need to consider retirement savings accounts

Mary: Disparity in tax payers. National Sales Tax?
TW If a sales tax, kill income tax. Otherwise. A flat tax is good.
JG Need comprehensive tax reform.

Chris: What role should Feds play in Education.
JG Devolve. We are smarter. More efficient.
TW We want to devolve, but you have to remove the upper echelon. Get rid of fed second guessers

Frank: higher Education. Federal financial aid supported.
JG We hear about eliminating DOE, but Pell Grants are a big part of DOE (35%).
TW Hillsdale College example—correlation between Pell Grants and cost increases. Get Fed Gov out.

Mary: do you support No Child Left Behind
JG No
TW No

Chris: what would you say to a Guardsman being deployed.
TW We should bring them home. Can't change those Gov'ts. We haven't actually declared war. It has to be the nation.
Chris: Follow up: what is our national security issue.
JG Nation directly threatened. Failed states are a problem. Certain role for us, but no troop commitments.

Frank: support Military intervention in Iran.
TW Tough. We deterred Russia. Iran is dangerous, and must be ready to fight, but let's negotiate.
JG Embargo not working.  Israel will act on own.

Mary:  major problem with border and illegal immigrants (and voter fraud)
TW  We have to close borders.  President's actions undermine rule of law.  Immigrants good for America.  Have to purge the voter laws.  Worchester 40,000 strange voters.
JG  People come due to magnets, like amnisty and employment.  We can improve the border, but can't seal it.
Jim:  you are small Gov't Republicans.  What do do you say to folks in Lowell?
JG  Grow the economy.
TW  Vision difference, small vs limited.  Need to let go money supply to small businesses.  Congress should cut pay 20%.

FORMAT CHANGES
Tom asks Jon
This is who I am (From Texas, Naval Academy, MIT, GE, own own business).  Jon, who are you? (Family man with financial background.)

Jon asks Tom
Your plan for job creation.
TW Gov't off the back of business. Cut EPA by 90% because local government and business can't handle it. Corporate taxes should come down. The big impact is not big business, but small.

Tom asks Jon
Jon, you didn't vote for 8.5 years. Troubling you Didn't register to vote.
JG Not proud of. Wish I could change it, but I can't. Today I am fully committed. I have been up front about this.

Jon asks Tom
Health care. What do you specifically want to fix.
TW I want to get back to talking to my Doctor. Example of Dr in NYC shut down for offering 5 visits for $100.

Tom asks Jon
Job killing regulations and your desire to have one year moratorium on regs. Five examples?
JG Boston has moved their innovation to Europe.

Jon asks Tom
Insight into size of DOE and Pell Grants.
TW Rather have our kids going to local banks. Get it down locally. Followup: Out of state students.

Tom asks Jon
How have you shown leadership
JG I get along with despite groups. Local sports programs. Leadership at AIG. Show by actions.

CLOSING STATEMENTS:
Jon
Forgot to thank LRCC. Election about a country heading in the wrong direction. Losing American Exceptionalism. Serious times for us. Not going to leave this country less well off.

Tom
I have demonstrated a willingness to give back to the community. We can be great again. That is why I want to Washington.

Regards  —  Cliff