EMERSON FACES CHALLENGE IN PRIMARY

For the first time since he won his seat in 1980, U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson is facing a challenge in the Republican primary. He says he is meeting the challenge the same way he has those from Democratic foes over the years.

"I'm not taking anything for granted," said Emerson. "I have never taken an election for granted and have a fine army of volunteers out working. I offer the common-sense, conservative values of Southern Missouri, which I think most Republicans and Democrats agree with.

"I hope people will see me as the agent of change as I have tried to be during my time in Congress."

E. Earl Durnell, a Cabool cattle rancher making his first bid for public office, is challenging Emerson in Tuesday's primary. Six Democrats are competing in for the 8th District seat.

Emerson, of Cape Girardeau, said he is running again to continue his work. "I've assessed my situation and have concluded that if I felt I was doing more good than not in my service, if we were making progress for the 8th District, I would run again. That won't be true forever, but I have decided to run for a seventh term."

To get real change in government, Emerson said there must be a new majority in Congress - either the Republican Party or conservatives. In his first two years, Emerson said there was a working majority of conservatives in Congress, enabling tax cuts and major budget reforms.

"There is an opportunity with the enormous number of retirements and people seeking other offices that we will see great change in the complexion of the House of Representatives," said Emerson. "If not in the Republican majority, then in a conservative majority. It is attainable and doable."

To stimulate the economy, Emerson said a conservative approach is necessary to develop a "growth-oriented tax policy and regulatory policy."

In the 8th District, the effort to develop ports along the Mississippi River, improve the highway system, and widening of Highway 60 to link I-55 and I-44 across Southern Missouri offer potential economic boosts, he said.

"With the federal highway act and efforts to improve our infrastructure, I think we will see immense benefits in the nature of improved roads, and that means jobs and economic development," he said.

Since his first day in office, Emerson has staunchly supported a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and giving the president line-item veto authority. The "liberal majority" has prevented these from passing, he said.

"We need the amendment as a forcing mechanism to make us do in Congress what Congress does not have the collective will to do," said Emerson.

The congressman agreed that health care is a major issue to be dealt with. He pointed out there are over 60 proposals on the table.

"I don't want to establish another vast federal bureaucracy to administer a program of national health insurance," he said. "Too much of the resources go to sustaining the bureaucracy under such schemes as opposed to delivering the benefits to the people."

In providing health insurance coverage, Emerson said the middle class is being squeezed because assistance to poor and elderly is provided through Medicaid and Medicare.

"I think we should give every family a tax deduction up to a reasonable amount for premiums. For those who don't pay taxes, they should be given a tax credit that has to be spent on a health-care policy.

"This takes into account that needs of different families are indeed different. When you have a government policy, everybody pays for everything for everybody, with no flexibility. We should let people shop for the plan in the private sector that meets their needs," said Emerson.

For families, he suggested a deduction of up to about $3,500 for insurance premiums.

The congressman has maintained a pro-life posture on abortion. "I will be an ardent leader in the fight to defeat the "Freedom of Choice Act" in Congress that will come up in about 10 days." The act would provide abortion on demand, without restrictions, he said.

"As a matter of public policy, the government has the responsibility to protect life," said Emerson. "Life begins at conception."

In providing support to the former Soviet Union, Emerson said there should not be direct outlays of cash but rather credit arrangements so they can purchase American products. Once the Soviet economy gets going, Emerson said, there are many natural resources the country has that the United States could get in return for the credit.

"In this transitional period, it is important to maintain stability for this former No. 1 enemy," said Emerson. "They are seeking to be more like us and less like their old selves. It enhances the opportunity for peace and security as we look to the future."

On the other hand, Emerson said he does not favor drastic military cutbacks because "the world is still a dangerous place."

The biggest problem facing the country, Emerson said, "is a sense of direction. It is a most exciting time to be alive. We won the cold war - Communism is dead or dying. Our economy, though not where we would like it to be, is starting to grow. It is a matter of reclaiming our sense of direction and molding our future."

Emerson said he sees bright days ahead for the 8th District and its 26 counties that cover nearly 18,000 square miles.

"We are at the economic takeoff point," said the congressman. "It's all starting to happen. We have got to have good jobs at good pay. We need good economic growth in order to address all these other problems. While we haven't arrived yet, we are well into the process."