Limited government at heart of 8th District forum

Six candidates seeking to represent Missouri's 8th Congressional District used an hour Thursday night in Cape Girardeau to answer voters' questions about federal government spending, the Second Amendment, job growth, poverty and services for veterans during a forum sponsored by local public radio station KRCU and the League of Women Voters.

Participants were independent candidate Thomas W. Brown, Doug Enyart of the Constitution Party, independent candidate Dr. Robert George, Democrat Steve Hodges, Libertarian Bill Slantz and Republican Jason Smith.

Approximately 50 members of the public, staff from candidates' campaigns and local members of the Missouri House of Representatives attended the forum, which took place at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center. Attendees were asked to write their questions on cards and the questions then were read by KRCU's Jacob McCleland, the host of the event.

Candidates were asked how they would work with the majority party in Congress to cut spending and balance the federal budget.

Enyart answered he would pass a bill that would require Congress to examine all federal agencies every 10 years to see if the agency was working in a constitutional way.

"Another thing we would be looking at with that legislation is if it is better done at the state level, and can these agencies be merged or downsized. We really need that," Enyart said.

George responded that he would work to eliminate fraud and kickbacks and stop allowing elected officials to take lobbying contributions.

"I would approach this as we have in Jefferson City," said Hodges, referring to the balanced budget amendment in place at the state level. Hodges is a state representative in Missouri's 149th House District.

Slantz said a balanced budget can happen only by cutting spending, which he would accomplish by abolishing the Department of Homeland Security.

"They have served their purpose," he said. "There is no longer a need for them."

Slantz said he also would work to eliminate the Transportation Security Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, combined with cutting the budget of every other agency annually by 10 percent over the next four years, ending foreign financial commitments and closing foreign military bases while keeping the domestic military strong.

"We just need to stop increasing the spending," Smith responded. "We need to go through the budget, line by line. Oh wait, we don't have a budget. Let's first try passing a budget, so then we can stop the spending."

Smith also advocated a balanced-budget amendment.

Brown said making certain laws contain specific language, closing loopholes that allow earmarks and reducing salaries of members of Congress would help reduce federal spending.

The candidates touted themselves as staunch supporters of Second Amendment rights and gun-owner privileges, but perhaps the most extreme statement -- when compared with current gun laws -- came from Slantz, who said government regulation and licensing and regulation of guns should be abolished.

On the topic of job creation, Hodges advocated for more opportunities for vocational training and said jobs are available in the district for properly trained individuals who show up for work and can pass a drug test. Slantz said simplifying the tax code and reducing regulations would be the best benefit, along with a "less comfortable safety net."

Smith mentioned a bill he sponsored as a state representative last year that reduced regulations on businesses and said fewer taxes and less litigation also are needed.

Brown advocated for more use of railroads for personal travel and industry shipping, more recycling and expansion of tourism along with examining tariffs.

"The way we bring jobs to the district is the same way we bring jobs to the entire nation," Enyart said. "We need to get regulations under control."

George said he supports hiring and training more people for government-funded jobs.

Poverty in the district, according to Slantz, could be eased by downsizing welfare programs and "encouraging people to stand up for themselves."

Smith said agricultural activity in the district gives it an advantage, and the way to reduce poverty is to create jobs.

"If we allow our farmers to be able to farm, and allow our small businesses to grow, the best way to do that is to get government off their backs, and that will turn this district around," he said.

Brown said bringing in industries and giving them tax breaks would alleviate poverty by putting people back to work. Enyart said he did not have all the answers about how to lessenpoverty knows from experience that reducing regulations and taxes would help.

"One word," Hodges said. "Education. Education and training can help solve almost every problem that we have."

A question about the challenges many veterans face obtaining benefits from the Veterans Affairs brought personal stories of trouble about denial for treatment and expressions of disgust for the system from Brown, Enyart and George.

Hodges said he was in favor of anything he can do to assist veterans, while Slantz called the VA a "perfect, quintessential example as to why the government should not be involved," and called for privatizing the care of veterans.

"The VA is a bureaucratic nightmare," he said. "This is why veterans are not getting health care and benefits."

Smith criticized the spending cuts that affect veterans, which he said were spurred by the recent government sequester.

In their closing statements, George and Brown encouraged voters to write them in as choices on the ballot.

A special election will take place June 4 in the 8th District, which covers 30 counties in southern and Southeast Missouri.

A vacancy in the district was created in January when Jo Ann Emerson resigned to head the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. She was re-elected in November.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

1080 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO