SIX DEMOCRATS FACE OFF FOR U.S. CONGRESS; DOVER STRESSES DIVERSE BACKGROUND AS STRENGTH

With experience as a farmer, union carpenter, self-employed businessman, and a factory worker, Johnny Dover is satisfied that he has the kind of diverse background necessary to help bring changes in the United States House of Representatives.

"The mood of the country is change; the people want new people in office. I just want to help make a difference," remarked the 40-year-old Bell City resident, one of six Democrats running for Congress in the 8th district.

"I'm not a lawyer like most of the members of Congress. I'm just an average person," said Dover. "I think we need some change and common folk in there. My work background gives me more insight into the needs of the union worker, small businessman, farmer, and hourly worker because I've been all of those."

For the last eight years, Dover has been employed by Golden Cat Corp. in Bloomfield, which makes Kitty Litter.

Dover, who is a nephew of Scott County Presiding Commissioner Durward Dover, ran for Congress in 1988 but lost to Wayne Cryts in the primary. He filed this year because of a concern that no strong opponents were coming forward to challenge Republican incumbent Bill Emerson.

Once reports broke that Emerson had written six insufficient fund checks on the House bank, Dover noted that several others became interested in the race.

To stimulate the economy, Dover is calling for increased ethanol production and some type of public work program similar to the Civilian Conservation Corps. "We keep extending unemployment benefits that the government is paying for, we might as well put the people to work."

Dover is stunned by the $4 trillion national debt, and wants to see Congress make a move toward reducing that debt soon. "There is no overnight solution to it, we just need to start turning the other direction.

"I'm for a balanced budget; who's not? Common sense will tell you that you can't spend billions and billions without stopping. I guess some people feel like we can't lose this country."

While he supports a balanced budget, Dover does not want to amend the constitution requiring one. "I don't know why we need an amendment. It seems like Congress could do it. If they knew what was going on and what the people want, they would balance it," he declared.

If the economy does not turn around soon, Dover feels public works projects will help get the nation out of the recession. "People have got to have jobs. We are paying the benefits anyway and might as well have them do jobs to benefit the people," said Dover. "Rather than paying them for doing nothing, we need to let them work."

To help in balancing the budget, Dover supports creating a special Division of Government Waste for two years.

Dover contends the reason ethanol production has not been promoted more in the country is because of the influence of big oil companies on elected officials.

"We are importing oil that could be spent on crops right here in Southeast Missouri and this country," observed Dover. "We have a renewable energy source right here in this country."

Dover said there is no reason to spend $200-300 billion a year importing foreign oil. Increasing the reliance on ethanol production will make a big difference in creating jobs and expanding the economy, he noted.

On the issue of health care, Dover supports efforts to provide health insurance for everyone in the country. "We provide it in the long run any way through welfare and Medicare. By having a centralized system I believe we would have a lot less problems and the costs of providing coverage would go down," said Dover.

Any increased costs of a new health care system could be partially funded by cuts in defense spending, he said.

The candidate added that he wants to involve the government as little as possible in operating national health care.

Dover regards himself as strongly Pro-Life on the abortion issue. "I agree with most everything else the Democrats say but that," declared Dover. "I believe life starts at conception."

He opposes direct financial aid to the countries of the former Soviet Union, and feels the best approach is a "Peace Corps" type effort and sending surplus grain to keep people from starving.

"It is to our advantage not to let them fail because it costs too much to fight them," said Dover. "But nobody I talk to wants to give them any money."

Dover added that he supports term limits, wants stronger efforts against crime, and recognizes that education is not a problem to throw money at. As the economy improves, he believes education "will come around."

If he is elected, Dover said he would "can the van," in reference to Emerson's mobile office that travels the district. "It is just a traveling billboard for Bill Emerson. I plan to get an 800-number instead."

So far, Dover has raised $31 in contributions and will spend a little of his own money for travel expenses and a little advertising.

His campaign slogan is: "Think it over and vote for Dover."