SIX DEMOCRATS FACE OFF FOR U.S. CONGRESS: DISILLUSIONMENT SPURS THOMPSON INTO ELECTION

Like many other Americans, James L. "Jay" Thompson is frustrated by what he has seen from elected officials at the national level. He believes the best way to change the system is to take personal action.

He took that action earlier this year by filing as a Democratic candidate in the 8th Congressional District.

"I was just totally disillusioned with Washington and their indifference to people," said Thompson. He said the pay raise voted by members of Congress ultimately led him to run.

"This is a job I just can't leave for someone else to do because I know I am the best person for the job right now," he said. "There are some hard decisions that have to be made, and I want to go up there and get some things done.

Thompson, 53, points to his diverse background and extensive travels around the world with the Navy. He retired after 22 years with the Navy, and until recently worked for the Missouri Department of Corrections as a fire and safety specialist.

He is a native of Myrtle in Oregon County, where he twice ran unsuccessfully for sheriff in 1972 and 1980. He now lives in Bourbon.

Both the nation and 8th District are plagued with the same problems, Thompson said. "The combination of the national debt and our inability to be competitive, which leads to a loss of jobs, are the biggest problems we are facing," he said.

The combination of the debt, high costs of health care, lack of competition with foreign countries, and the need for strong education are all interrelated, he said.

"I think health care is key to the whole problem of having a strong economy; I favor a national health-care plan," said Thompson. "We are already paying for good medical care, just not getting it. We are doing a good job taking care of the poor, people on disabilities, and senior citizens, but it still leaves 30 to 40 million people uninsured who are not employed or covered by an employer."

Thompson said he believes it is possible to change the health-care system so that everyone has coverage, but without increasing the financial burden on businesses.

When people can't find jobs and have to draw welfare, Thompson said, he supports having programs requiring them to work on community service projects or attend school or job retraining programs.

"As long as taxpayers' money is being paid out for welfare, we ought to be getting something in return for it," he said.

As a "strict constitutionalist," Thompson said he opposes a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

"I do think we need a balanced budget, but Congress must pass one. I want Congress to be responsible and pay as they go as states and individual families do," he said.

In balancing the budget, Thompson said Congress will have to cut defense spending, consolidate and eliminate some programs, and reduce waste. He said programs that are aimed at helping the poor should be exempt from cuts.

Thompson said he regards himself as pro-life on abortion and supports abortion in the cases of rape, incest, or danger to the life of the mother. However, he said he does not support passage of stronger laws restricting abortion.

"I don't want to get into a situation where big government tells people how to run their lives," said Thompson. "I would not want to see any more rigid restrictions placed on it."

He said he opposes aid to the former Soviet Union.

"Until we know who all their players are and exactly what their reorganizational plans are, I would be adamantly opposed to giving money to the Soviet Union," said Thompson.

To stimulate the economy, Thompson said the federal government needs to be innovative in finding ways to "give people an opportunity to make a good wage."

Restoring public confidence in elected officials will go a long way toward strengthening the economy, Thompson said.

"In order to be innovative in our thinking, people need to have faith in our system; but people have lost confidence in the people who run the system. This time we need to elect those candidates who are concerned about people."

Asked to compare himself to the five other Democrats in the race, Thompson said he likes them all but: "I perceive me to be the most serious. I want to be elected to represent the people. I think I have proved myself to be a formidable candidate. I'm not on an ego trip; I want to see a lot accomplished toward a better America."

Thompson said he anticipates spending over $15,000 in the primary election campaign.