5th District primary capsules

The Lima News sent questionnaires to all the candidates in the contested Republican primary. Candidates had the opportunity to give biographical information and discuss major issues in their races. Candidates also had an option to submit a photograph. Only names, residences and parties identify candidates who have not yet returned a questionnaire.  Bob LattaResidence: Muirfield Drive, Bowling GreenParty: RepublicanAge: 51Campaign Web site: www.Lattaforcongress.comEducation: Graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1974, Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Bowling Green State University in 1978, graduated from University of Toledo College of Law in 1981Years living in area: Bowling Green resident for 51 yearsMajor issues: The major issues facing the nation today are the economy, taxes, ending earmarks, slowing the growth of federal spending, national security, Iraq, health care and energy. We must have a policy that will retain, expand and create new jobs in Ohio and the United States. This will require cutting taxes and slowing the growth of the federal government. We must make the tax cuts permanent so that 116 million Americans don’t end up paying around $1,800 more in taxes per year. We need to eliminate the death tax so farmers, small businesses and all Americans alike aren’t penalized for their hard work. Finally in dealing with taxes, the alternative minimum tax needs fixed now. If not, it will continue to creep into lower tax brackets. Earmark reform must be approved, since earmarks cost taxpayers $16.9 billion in 2007.Congress must pass the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act now. We must be able to protect Americans from terrorist attacks. This is an issue that you shouldn’t play politics with when our national security is at risk.In Iraq, we must provide our troops what they need to carry out their mission, and at the same time listen to the ground commanders, not Washington armchair quarterbacks.We must address the issues that drive up the cost of health care. One way to do this is by looking at the non-economic damage awards in medical cases.Finally, we must make the United States energy independent in the next 10 years.What steps should the federal government take to stave off a recession for the nation’s economy and Ohio’s economy? The economic growth package that recently passed Congress, and which I voted for, will inject about $152 billion into the economy and deliver broad-based tax relief to nearly 132 million Americans. Middle-class married couples, families with children and workers will benefit, as well as senior citizens and disabled veterans. The package will also provide incentives for small businesses to expand their ventures, invest in new equipment and provide more jobs.Workers who earned at least $3,000 in 2007 would qualify for rebates of $300 and $600 for couples filing joint returns. Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits and payments to disabled veterans.Taxpayers who paid taxes on wages and investment income would be eligible for rebate checks of $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married couples. Anyone qualifying for a rebate would receive $300 for each dependent child under 17.Companies will be able to write off an additional 50 percent of new investment expenditures in 2008 for items subject to depreciation over 20 years or less. The remainder would be depreciated over the life of the item. Small business would be allowed to write off the entire cost of new investment expenditures up to $250,000. This is almost twice the current limit.By giving the taxpayers the tax rebate, they will be able to decide whether to spend or save their rebates. The total amount of the economic package is about 1 percent of the gross domestic product, which economists say should be enough to spur the economy.What should the federal government do to protect Americans from terrorists?First and foremost, Congress must pass the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Without passing this legislation, our intelligence community’s ability to obtain vital foreign intelligence information, including the location, intentions and capabilities of terrorists and other foreign intelligence targets abroad, will be weakened. The Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence would be stripped of their power to authorize new certifications against foreign intelligence targets, including international terrorists. Without it, we would not be able to track them. If a new target fell outside of the scope of an existing certification or directive, the government would be forced to go to the FISA court to obtain prior court authorization for new collection to acquire the communications of terrorists and other foreign intelligence threats abroad.Under the Protect America Act, we obtained valuable insight and understanding, leading to the disruption of planned terrorist attacks. Reverting to the outdated FISA statute creates intelligence gaps and risks. FISA applications are lengthy and detailed documents, requiring hours of preparation. Once the application is submitted, there is no guarantee that the FISA court will approve it.Second, we must have safe and secure borders. We must insist that our borders are secure so that terrorists cannot freely pass into our country. Illegal aliens should not be able to obtain driver’s licenses, other forms of identification or benefit from our tax-supported institutions.What direction should the U.S. military take in Iraq?We must provide our men and women in the United States military all the tools that they require to carry out their mission in Iraq. I will repeat what I have said: We should listen to the ground commanders and not Washington armchair quarterbacks. We want an Iraqi army that can defend its borders and a police force to protect its cities. By the end of this year, Iraq should have another 80,000 troops trained and in the field. As this occurs, we want Americans to become more of a support and advisory force. We should be back to pre-surge levels with our troops by late spring. Late last year, a combat brigade was rotated out of Iraq and not replaced with a brigade that was not already in Iraq. What can you do as a member of the minority party to push your ideas through Congress?I believe that as a member of the minority, we must stick together as a conference and work with members of the other party who believe in many of the issues that we do. Since becoming a member of Congress, we, the Republican minority, have been able to pass the economic growth package that will inject $152 billion into the economy and deliver tax relief to 132 million Americans, adequately fund our troops who are in harm’s way, temporarily push back the effects of the Alternative Minimum Tax and begin the debate on earmarks that cost taxpayers $16.9 billion in 2007. We must keep the issues that are important to all Americans, such as our national security (FISA and secured borders), making the tax cuts permanent and eliminating wasteful spending at the forefront and never let the majority forget them. I further believe that I must bring forth legislation that will benefit our country. I firmly believe that it is important to eliminate the federal death tax. It is harmful to farmers, families and small businesses alike. I believe that you must work to form coalitions to move through legislation. Scott B. RadcliffeResidence: Willow Lane, PerrysburgParty: RepublicanAge: 28Campaign Web site: www.scottradcliffeforcongress.comEducation: Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering/business management from United States Military Academy in 2002Years living in area: Life-long resident Major issues: The major issue facing not only Northwest Ohio but the nation as a whole is the economy. Our country’s economy is beginning to lag, and few regions are feeling these effects more than Northwest Ohio. We need to take conservative measures to help get our economy back on track. Cutting our corporate tax bases, encouraging investment in smaller businesses and putting dollars back in the pockets of taxpayers are conservative measures I believe will help to put our economy back on the right track. Our health-care system needs to be fixed, but we cannot afford to bankrupt our country in the process. We need to make health care more affordable, not force a lumbering bureaucracy on the American people. If we implement tort reforms, increase competition between pharmaceutical companies and deregulate the health insurance companies, we can make health care more affordable without expanding our government. Finally, national security is an issue that should always be at the forefront of every debate. Keeping the great citizens of this country safe is the primary responsibility of our government, and we have to make sure the organizations responsible for protecting our citizens are given the necessary means to do so. Making sure programs such as FISA are kept in place so our intelligence and law enforcement agencies are able to properly and effectively communicate, as well as taking the fight to our enemies before they can bring it to our shores, will keep America safe.What steps should the federal government take to stave off a recession for the nation’s economy and Ohio’s economy? We should provide an environment that is more conducive to business and provide incentives for American citizens to participate and invest in our economy. A program such as small business capital tax credits could go a long way to give small businesses an incentive to invest in their businesses. By giving small businesses a tax credit for every dollar they invest in capital for their business, it will help to encourage these businesses to expand. As bigger businesses have moved from Northwest Ohio and other portions of Ohio, small businesses have proven to be the backbone of our local economy, so encouraging their development will help stabilize and expand our economy. We must also create incentives for bigger businesses to establish themselves here in Northwest Ohio. We have the school systems, transportation network and ready workforce big businesses are looking for. Further deregulation and lower tax bases will help to give businesses this incentive to establish themselves in Ohio, which will help to create jobs and invigorate the economy. The American worker is a valuable commodity, especially here in Ohio. Lowering the tax bases for everyday Americans is another way to help provide a boost to our economy. If we put more dollars in the pockets of our taxpayers, it will give them more money to invest and spend, helping to provide an economic boost. What should the federal government do to protect Americans from terrorists? First and foremost, we must make sure our law enforcement and intelligence agencies are able to freely and promptly communicate with one another. The Federal Intelligence and Surveillance Act provides our organizations here in the United States the agility they need to react to the enemy we face today. Our enemies do not wear a uniform; they do not come from any one country, but they are very dangerous. The federal government must allow our military, law enforcement and intelligence agencies to take the necessary steps to confront this enemy. Our military must continue to make sure al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations are not allowed a safe haven to operate in by stabilizing Iraq and Afghanistan. Here at home, we must make sure our borders are secure, so we can potentially stop these would-be terrorists at the border before they enter our country. When we are fighting an enemy that likes to fade into the populace, we cannot afford to have a porous border that allows people to cross at will. This is a new enemy we face and a new type of battle we must fight. We must walk the fine line between keeping our country safe and keeping it free, but we must also allow ourselves the agility to fight our enemies in today’s environment. What direction should the U.S. military take in Iraq?I have had the “on the ground” experience as a platoon leader, and I took part in the highest level strategic decision-making processes as a member of the III Corps Commanders’ personal staff, so I know how imperative it is that we get it right in Iraq. We need to make sure Iraq is allowed to develop into a safe, stable and sovereign nation that is a productive member of the international community. We have seen the dangers of allowing a war-torn country to devolve into a power vacuum in Afghanistan. There are far too many resources located within Iraq to allow al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations to entrench themselves. We have seen recently that there is hope in Iraq. In the last two months, there has been legislation establishing provincial powers, a budget and allowing former members of the Ba’athist party to take an active role in the government. These are very significant pieces of legislation. No matter if they are Sunni or Shia, the people of Iraq are looking to move forward. Timelines are dangerous because they force progress that may not be sustainable. Iraqis must see their government is developing, and they must feel confident in their security forces. There is progress, but it will take time to make sure those capabilities are properly developed, and we must make sure they are developed so our enemies are not allowed an opportunity to entrench themselves in such a key area of the Middle Eastern region of the world. What can you do as a member of the minority party to push your ideas through Congress?It takes strong leadership to develop the base of support you need to push anything through Congress, especially as a member of the minority party. You do need to reach across the aisle to get things done for your constituents, but you also need to stand by your principles to make sure you are properly representing those who elected you to office. It takes strong moral character to stick to those principles, and it takes leadership to take action where you see the need. As a member of the Multi-National Corps-Iraq Commander’s personal staff over the last year, I had the pleasure of meeting the members of Congress who traveled to investigate the situation in Iraq for themselves. All who learned of my plans were very excited to work with me, and I believe I could develop the necessary base of support within my own party, as well as across the aisle, for the programs and bills Northwest Ohio needs to move forward. I was able to work through the differences the Sunni and Shia residents of Baghdad’s Rashid district had to get things done when I was a platoon leader during my first tour, and I would certainly take the same leadership and initiative to Congress for Ohio’s 5th District. Michael L. Reynolds Residence: Road 18-R, Columbus GroveParty: RepublicanAge: 57Campaign Web site: www.reynoldsforcongress.infoEducation: Graduated from Ravenna (Ohio) High School, graduated from Buckeye Business College, AkronYears living in area: 25 yearsMajor issues: Major issues include abolishing the income tax, saving Social Security and Medicare, employment security, banking and mortgage reform and reducing the high cost of fuel.What steps should the federal government take to stave off a recession for the nation’s economy and Ohio’s economy? I believe we should abolish the federal income tax and replace it with a 7-percent federal sales tax. That would keep an average of $200 to $300 in a paycheck for buying, saving, college funds, etc. The sales tax would raise $57 trillion more than the income tax. It would keep businesses from going overseas. Stabilize the employment would also help.What should the federal government do to protect Americans from terrorists?What President Bush is doing is a great way to keep terrorists from visiting our doorstep. Confront them on their turf. We need to do a better job of screening them at airports and boost our border security using our National Guard troops. We should never give terrorists the same rights as our citizens. After all, the Constitution is for the citizens of the United States, not illegal aliens, foreign nationals and definitely not terrorists.What direction should the U.S. military take in Iraq?I think our military is doing a great job in Iraq. I would never second-guess our military or commander in chief. Neither should the rest of Congress, including the Senate. I think if we stay the course, we should be able to end our portion of the war. But we should never, under any circumstance, announce or advertise when we are leaving. It could be disastrous for all involved. What can you do as a member of the minority party to push your ideas through Congress?The idea that I am running for Congress means I am working for the American people. When I am elected, I am hired to represent them, not an organization, club or party. If the people agree with my ideas, ideals and beliefs, then I will urge other Americans to write their representatives to support me. Communication with our citizens is important. They should have a say as to what they want done. After all, the government is the people, the electorates, not the elected.