SEN. BOND CONTENDS ALL CANDIDATES SHOULD TALK ABOUT THE DEFICIT

JACKSON - U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond said Wednesday it is essential that candidates running in 1992 discuss the growing federal deficit and ways to bring it under control.

"I think any candidate running for federal office needs to talk about the deficit and what we are going to do about it," said Bond. "We've got to get a handle and control on spending."

If Congress does not act soon, Bond warned that there won't be any money left to pay for federal programs, just the interest on the national debt.

Bond met with a group of about 30 people at Jer's Restaurant in Jackson Wednesday morning as part of a tour through Southeast Missouri. Bond, who is seeking re-election to a second term this year, is making the tour while the Senate is in recess.

Bond told the people he had not come to Jackson to make a speech, but rather "to get some good common-sense advice from people in Cape County."

In remarks to news media and in comments with individuals, Bond stressed the importance of facing up to the deficit - something that will be a rallying point of Bond's re-election campaign.

One man asked Bond why more candidates this year were not talking about the deficit because it is such a serious problem.

Bond replied that some candidates are avoiding the issue out of concern that discussing budget cuts could cost them votes. But Bond said he would rather risk his political career than the future of the country.

He pointed out that some political advisers and pollsters are telling candidates that it is political suicide to talk about what to do about the deficit.

"I think it is national suicide if we don't start talking about how to bring spending under control," said Bond. He said he believes voters are informed and concerned enough to give careful consideration if candidates discuss budget cuts.

Bond said at this point there are still choices that can be made, although the choices are difficult ones. "But, if we don't make the hard choices now, we won't have any alternatives by the year 2000 if the deficit grows," he said.

From his travels around the state, Bond said he senses that "people are anxious about the future of the economy." he said, "Getting our deficit under control is essential to that brighter future."

Bond said he also would continue to work for stronger ethics laws in Congress and that he favors decreasing appropriations for operating Congress by 25 percent. He said he also wants Congress to start having to live by the laws it passes.

"I'm going to fight hard to see if we can't reform Congress, which is in bad need of reform," said Bond.