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I am morally opposed to abortion and will do nothing to encourage its use…. These concerns and principles will certainly continue to guide my analysis of any legislative efforts to provide funds for abortion. Furthermore, I am, and have been in the past, a cosponsor of legislation to ban the partial-birth abortion procedure, and I have also voted twice to override President Clinton's veto of this bill during the House's successful veto override votes in the 104^th and the 105^th Congress. In the current 106^th Congress I supported the House-passed partial-birth abortion ban; however, the measure is still in conference committee. While it is difficult to categorize one form of abortion as more barbaric than another, I believe that this procedure is a grossly inhumane practice. [Additional comments are on file at the Nebraska Catholic Conference.]

Oppose (except to save the life of an indigent mother)

I am morally opposed to abortion and will do nothing to encourage its use. During my twenty-five years as a legislator (four as a State Senator and twenty-one in Congress) I have always voted against the use of public funds for abortion, except to save the life of an indigent mother. (The one exception in my voting record occurred on a June 30, 1993 vote that allowed Medicaid funding for abortions to save the life of an indigent mother, and in cases of rape and incest. Since I was given no other legislative opportunity to vote for a restriction on Federal funding for abortion only to save the life of an indigent mother, the modified amendment was the only opportunity to stop Federal financing of abortion on demand.) These concerns and principles will certainly continue to guide my analysis of any legislative efforts to provide funds for abortion.

Support

I am concerned about the future of farming in the U.S. and Nebraska; therefore, I have always believed that all options or proposals should receive serious consideration and none rejected out of hand. Although the U.S. economy is generally healthy, it is clear that the agricultural sector is hurting. I believe that farmers and their families should be able to enjoy an adequate standard of living; therefore, I have taken a pro-active approach to helping ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their crops. It is important not only to do things to improve the long-term viability of agriculture; immediate, short-term relief of agriculture is also needed. I am the person in the House who has taken the greatest leadership role in expanding exports. As 95 percent of the world's population will live outside of the U.S. by the early part of this century, Nebraska farmers cannot afford to elect someone who will block our farmers from these markets.

Although there are no easy solutions, I believe it is important to take certain actions which would provide the opportunity for higher prices, greater assistance and lower supplies…. [Information about legislation on file.] As a native and long-term resident of the small agricultural-service community of Utica, you can be assured that I share your concerns about the rural economy and viability of farming in Nebraska. Now I live near another small farm community — Cedar Bluffs. Therefore, I am in close contact with the conditions of the farm community around me. Accordingly, you can be assured that I will continue to pursue initiatives in the future on behalf of Nebraska farmers. [Additional comments are on file at the Nebraska Catholic Conference.]

During my service in Congress, the House passed a number of crime control measures with my support, including the Effective Death Penalty Act, which was subsequently enacted into law. This Act changed laws affecting the death penalty in an effort to create consistent and fair procedures for its application and to streamline the endless series of groundless appeals that were previously available to convicted criminals sentenced to death. In other Congresses, I have voted to extend the use of Federal capital punishment as a sentencing option for additional offenses involving murder, including the following: murder by drug kingpins, murder of law enforcement officials in connection with drug offenses, intentional killing during any drug felony, kidnapping if death results, aircraft hijacking if death results, and retaliatory murders of witnesses and informants. I believe those were appropriate changes, but I am not pushing or aware of current efforts to make more crimes subject to a Federal death penalty option in sentencing.

Support

I have been, and will continue to be supportive of providing tax relief to low-income, working families with children. For example, I have supported, and continue to support, legislation to reform the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to provide a more targeted version for low-income families with children. In addition, on July 31, 1997, Congress passed the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, which provided the first broad-based Federal tax relief in 16 years, with my support….

Furthermore, while the past measures passed by Congress in 1995-1998 have included substantial tax relief, I always have believed that a high priority must be given to tax cuts targeted more to low-middle and middle-income Americans (low-income Americans usually pay little or no Federal income taxes).… I have long supported the right mix of stimulative and equity tax cut provisions while I also support a range of spending and reform measures to dramatically and systematically reduce and eliminate the deficit. [Additional comments are on file at the Nebraska Catholic Conference.]

Tax Relief? Support (depending on the details of any proposal)

Education Vouchers? Oppose

Comments: Like many Americans, I am concerned that some of the voucher programs being considered could do great damage to many public school systems. While I greatly value church and other private school systems, being a product myself of a religious elementary school education, the availability of universal public education of elementary and secondary school students is one of the basic and most important elements underlying the success of America's great and unique experiment in democracy.… As a matter of principle I will avoid or oppose any actions, policies or programs that would be likely to do significant damage to public education in America. Also, the constitutional responsibility of elementary and secondary education is assigned to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Therefore, I will always be at least skeptical about any enlargement of the Federal role in public elementary and secondary education.

Support (depending on the details of any proposal)

Nebraskans have a long history of concern for the environment and have demonstrated great stewardship of the land. The state's pro-active approach to addressing environmental problems was demonstrated in the creation of the natural resources districts in the early 70's. Unfortunately, Nebraska common sense often gets thwarted by misguided and inflexible policies from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Clearly, there are some environmental problems that need to be looked at from a regional or national perspective, but many of the issues are best dealt with on a state or local level.

In the past several years, Congress has made great strides in providing more flexibility in the laws. However, all too often the EPA continues to drag its feet and disregard common sense and local solutions when implementing the rules. [Additional comments are on file at the Nebraska Catholic Conference.]

I believe that the issue of whether physicians should be allowed to administer or prescribe lethal injections or drugs for their terminally-ill patients under the U.S. Constitution is a matter best left to each state and its respective state legislature.

I strongly support debt reduction targeted to the poorest of the poor — countries who have no means to repay the debt. However, I do not believe that the United States should be unilaterally responsible for all such debt relief (needs to be multilateral and also involving non-governmental lenders).… Also, I do not believe the U.S. should provide relief for debt incurred through corruption, incompetence, truly excessive military expenditures, or corporate/bureaucratic greed…. On November 18, 1999, the House approved the fiscal year 2000 consolidated appropriations legislation that includes most of the international debt relief package proposed in the Jubilee Debt Reduction Act (H.R. 1095).... I supported and worked for the inclusion of this language and voted for this consolidated appropriations bill. I was also proud to have been the original sponsor of the "Africa Seeds of Hope" legislation last Congress and to have worked closely with Bread for the World in achieving its enactment into law.… In addition, I am largely responsible for ensuring the eligibility of Bangladesh for participation in a debt for nature swap.… [Additional comments are on file at the Nebraska Catholic Conference.]

Human rights should be a major concern, but it is unbalanced to make it a "central concern".… I believe that the United States should actively promote international respect for human rights. Experience has demonstrated that the single most effective method of promoting human rights is to support democratic institutions in developing nations. Nations with an established democratic tradition demonstrate far more respect of their citizens' human rights. I also strongly believe that quiet, but firm, and reasoned diplomacy is an invaluable tool to deal with very specific human rights concerns, and I personally have pursued this option on numerous occasions…. As a general rule, I am opposed to unilateral sanctions imposed against a nation in order to elicit changes in human rights behavior, as such sanctions are almost always worse than nonproductive, they are counterproductive. I would note, however, that I supported the multilateral sanctions that were imposed on South Africa's apartheid regime during the 1980's…. I fully support the President's authority to deny weapons sales to rogue regimes. [Additional comments are on file at the Nebraska Catholic Conference.]

I certainly recognize that reasonable and responsible health care reform is one of the most important issues before Congress and American. While Congress in 1996, with my support, passed health insurance reform legislation which included portability and limits on preexisting conditions, I do believe that additional health care reforms are needed to slow the drastic increases in health care costs, including prescription drugs, and to provide better access to affordable health care insurance. In general, I favor an approach that would combine the best of public and private elements, maintain quality, cut bureaucracy, and preserve the best features of our private health insurance system. In addition, as a fifth-generation Nebraskan I want to ensure that any changes are adaptable for the conditions of the rural areas…. [Additional comments are on file at the Nebraska Catholic Conference.]

(a) biomedical research and experimentation that utilizes fetal tissue from induced abortions?

See comments

(b) research that involves destroying live human embryos in order to obtain cells for experimentation?

Oppose

Comments: (a) Fetal tissue research was considered by the House of Representatives on March 10, 1993, as part of H.R. 4, the National Institutes of Health Revitalization Amendments. One of the most controversial sections of the legislation would codify an executive order by President Clinton that overturned a four-year moratorium on Federally-funded fetal tissue transplant research from induced abortions. The bill imposes a variety of restrictions intended to ensure that a woman does not have an abortion in order to supply fetal tissue…. Rep. Thomas Bliley offered an amendment that would have added further restrictions to fetal tissue research. I supported the Bliley amendment, which was not successful. Rep. Henry Waxman offered a substitute amendment to the Bliley amendment that added the restriction that the abortion from which fetal tissue was donated for transplant research was performed in accordance with applicable state law. I also supported this amendment because it provided further safeguards for fetal tissue research, even though the restrictions were much fewer than the Bliley amendment…. Again, I would reiterate that I am morally opposed to abortion and will do nothing to encourage its use…. [Additional comments are on file at the Nebraska Catholic Conference.]

(b) For the past several years, in annual appropriation bills, there has been a prohibition of the use of Federal funds for human embryo research. I will continue to support such a ban and I expect that Congress will continue to include this ban in future appropriation bills.

While I have not heard a convincing case that changes are necessary, I will consider nay additional information that makes a case for such changes. Critics of some of the regulations are naïve or represent self interests of immigration lawyers…. Many people seeking political asylum certainly do have strong and valid cases for entry into this country, but there are potential asylum seekers who simply abuse the current system. I believe that the U.S. must be vigilant and better resourced against the existing and dramatic abuses of the current asylum system…. However, despite these terrible abuses of our current asylum system, I do believe that the United States must maintain its commitment to assist refugees and protect legitimate asylum seekers who are fleeing persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, and membership in a particular social group…. [Additional comments are on file at the Nebraska Catholic Conference.]

… Like all Americans, I am appalled by the almost incomprehensible tragedies that we have witnessed throughout the last couple of years. Therefore, I will examine all ideas about what the Federal role may be in taking action to curb the level of violence that affects our nation, and especially the violence that affects our nation's youth, including congressional remedies. If any good can come from these tragic situations, perhaps it will prompt the entire nation, and not just Congress to examine the causes of such brutal acts as these and to prevent future occurrences. My orientation is to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and to urge the Administration to enforce the reasonable laws already enacted. This is clearly the view of the great majority of Nebraskans I represent. We know, for example, that in the Littleton school tragedy, at least 15 Federal laws and 7 state laws were violated. I also know that the Department of Justice has pursued only a few of those guilty of violating existing laws.

1. Helping the economy in Nebraska, especially the agriculture economy.

2. Investing in our nation's children and public education system.

3. Strengthening our nation's domestic programs.

Comments: (1) By helping to create jobs, expanding our export base, building profitability in agriculture, and enhancing our individual and business competitiveness through a variety of means including an emphasis on an educated work force and technical training; (2) By providing for a safe school environment for students all school personnel, meeting the Federal funding promise for a portion of the funding for special education programs, encouraging or "incentive-izing" teacher pre-profession and in-service training to cope with current and future teacher shortages, keeping the best possible information technology capacity in all schools, and putting more resources into science and language education; and (3) by keeping the focus on responsible and reasonable health care reform, on continued welfare reform, on maintaining promised Social Security benefits, on reduction of the Federal debt, on elimination of unnecessary spending, on our commitment to continuing to balance the Federal budget, and on removing violent criminals from our streets.

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Support

I am pro-life. I believe that life begins at conception. I support a Human Life Amendment that would protect the unborn and restore the sanctity of life to our culture. Being pro-life is not merely a political position for me, it is part of my belief system and affects the way I make decisions.

Oppose

I oppose using taxpayer funds for abortion.

Support

The 1996 Farm Bill (better known as the Freedom to Farm Act), needs to be overhauled. I believe that we need to keep the market driven portion of the legislation but put management tools back into the bill. The present farm bill favors a half dozen buyers at the expense of farmers and taxpayers. I believe that it is wrong to ask the people who feed the world to get a part time job to feed their families. I want to be on the Ag Committee to provide farmers an opportunity to get their finger prints all over the new farm bill to be drafted in the next session of Congress.

Oppose

I do not support efforts to extend the use of the death penalty. I believe that capital punishment should be used in the most extreme criminal crime.

Support

I am not sure that tax credits will provide the kind of relief that is needed for low-income families to keep them above the poverty level. I think that it would be better to provide a formula that raises the minimum level of taxable income so families can keep more of their income in lieu of paying taxes and having it returned at a later date.

Tax Relief? Support (See comments)

Education Vouchers? Support (See comments)

Comments: I support education vouchers for a pilot program, similar to what some states have done. Please note that I was one of the three people who formed a committee, hired a lobbyist and was instrumental in passing LB 809. This bill provided for private/parochial elementary and secondary schools to raise money for building purposes through tax deductible bonds (public). Governor Nelson signed the legislation and appointed me as one of the five members to a board that authorizes the bonds.

Support

I believe that we are supposed to be the managers of the Earth. That is why I consider myself a conservationist. We need to protect our greatest resources, our quality of air and especially our water supply.

Oppose

I do not support this procedure. I believe that this is an extension of the culture of death that embraces abortion and is camouflaged as population control by our opponents. We should do more to assist people embrace life, not end it.

No Position (See comments)

I do not know enough about the details of this issue to make an educated response. However, it appears at face value to be a Christian principle that has far reaching benefits.

Support

I believe that it is critical that we make human rights a central concern of U.S. foreign policy. I think that it is arrogant of us to believe that inalienable rights began with Americans. Thomas Jefferson said that we have been given these right by our Creator. If we compromise such an important principle as human rights for monetary benefits at the expense of human life then we are guilty of making the economy the new morality.

The Federal Government should play both a mediator role and regulatory role without (if at all possible) becoming the facilitator. We are the wealthiest and healthiest country in the world, somehow it would seem logical that we could accomplish this task. The key word is affordable.

(a) biomedical research and experimentation that utilizes fetal tissue from induced abortions?

Oppose

(b) research that involves destroying live human embryos in order to obtain cells for experimentation?

Oppose 

Comments: I am opposed to both of these procedures. I believe that this should have been and should be resolved at a federal level. Boundaries should have been established when this federal grant was issued. Instead, Universities and State Legislatures were forced into a very difficult place. They had to interpret the extent of this research and then compete for dollars with other institutions. Morality is often compromised when this scenario exists.

Support (See comments)

I am not familiar enough with the specifics of this question to answer it. I support efforts to extend work permits and educational permits.

Earlier this year, in March, I attended the funeral of one of my cousins. He was 17 years old. His girl friend was raped and badly beaten. He was beaten to death. No knives or guns were used, he was beaten to death. I believe that this is part of the culture of death that has permeated our society. It includes the practice of abortion, attempts to remove faith from our education, euthanasia, fetal tissue research, failure to address racial reconciliation, etc. I believe that we need to return to a public policy that promotes a pro-family agenda supporting life in the womb, adopt a pro-family farm policy, a pro-family tax policy, a pro-family trade policy, a pro-family retirement policy. We need to create an environment where we can celebrate our faith not repress it. When the economy becomes our standard for morality rather than principles of human respect and dignity practiced and evidenced in our legislation, greed and violence are the result. We need leaders committed to advancing these principles to overcome a society where violence is growing.

1. Farm policy.

2. Federal surplus.

3. Address fetal tissue research and biotechnology to protect life.

Comments: (1) Pass a farm policy that puts the government on the side of the family farmer, enabling them to make a living. When farmers do good (sic) economically, Nebraska does good (sic). Three out of four jobs are affected by agriculture in Nebraska. Profits should not be limited to a half-a-dozen buyers. Everyone in the production line of agriculture should make a profit. (2) Address the surplus by paying down the debt, shoring up Social Security (which includes a prescription medication for seniors), fully funding education mandate i.e., IDEA, address military personnel needs and readiness, pursue middle income tax breaks. (3) Address fetal tissue research, stem cell research, cloning, and set boundaries on bio-tech research procedures to prevent compromise of basic human principles of life.

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Oppose

I oppose any effort to amend the U.S. Constitution for any reason.

Oppose

Except in cases of rape, incest or situations where the mother is incapable of caring responsibly for a child.

Support

In general, I favor getting government regulation out of agriculture altogether. I support the growing of industrial hemp as a valuable fiber and oil stock.

Oppose

The federal government has no business in the capital punishment debate. Besides treason, piracy and desertion there are no legitimate "Federal Crimes".

Oppose

If the purpose on an income tax is to raise money for the operation of government then refundable tax credits have no place in the tax code. The EIC is the source of more cases of abuse and fraud than all the rest of the tax code. Low income persons should simply be exempt from filing requirements.

Tax Relief? Support

Education Vouchers? Oppose

Comments: In theory I support the rights of parents to choose the school best-suited for their children. But I'm unwilling to support any plan that places increased costs onto taxpayers for support of public schools. A tax credit is fine but not to the extent it becomes refundable.

Oppose

All regulation must be considered in the context of a cost-benefit analysis. Stakeholder interests and unintended consequences must be considered.

Support

Oppose

Most of the very poor countries are not currently paying on their debt. So debt relief would not increase the funds available. This form of "debt relief" would mostly benefit multinational banks at the expense of the U.S. taxpayer.

Oppose

It would be the height of hypocrisy for us to hold other countries to our standards for trade agreements. In the light of the ATF's attack on the Davidian church in Waco we are hardly in a position of moral authority on this issue.

Qualified health care costs should be an "above the line' deduction on the federal tax return. The FDA should adopt faster drug approval processes and federal opposition to alternative treatments including medical marijuana should be dropped.

(a) biomedical research and experimentation that utilizes fetal tissue from induced abortions?

Oppose

(b) research that involves destroying live human embryos in order to obtain cells for experimentation?

Oppose

Comments: In general I oppose the use of tax dollars to fund research that is better done in the private sector.

Support

Violent crimes are committed by a very small fraction of the population. Releasing nonviolent drug offenders from prisons would make room for the truly dangerous. The average time served for murder is 7 years. The average time served for distribution of LSD is 21 years. The war on drugs has warped our sense of justice.

1. Make the tax code simpler, fairer and flatter.

2. End the war on drugs.

3. Reduce the size of the Federal Government to it's constitutional limits.

Comments: If elected, I will vote for smaller government and lower taxes. Every time no exceptions, no excuses.

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Oppose

In my view, the Constitution already addresses this issue.

Oppose

No one should be forced to contribute to a cause to which they are morally opposed.

Oppose

There should be no subsidies for any in the agricultural industry, including small, medium or large organizations and/or farms.

Oppose

Oppose

This question assumes that it is moral to take from one person using the force of government and give to another. Would it not be better to change the tax laws so that all have the opportunity to prosper?

Tax Relief? Oppose

Education Vouchers? Support

Comments: The Federal Government should get out of education. That is a matter best left to the states, as well as to the individual communities and families.

Oppose

Support

A person should be sovereign over his or her own body, as long as they are adults and in full mental capacity.

No Position

This could and would open a Pandora's box of problems — not the least of which would be how to monitor poverty relief and what sanctions to apply should the funds be misappropriated.

Support

The Federal Government should have no role. It is only after the Federal Government became involved in healthcare that a crisis has arisen.

(a) biomedical research and experimentation that utilizes fetal tissue from induced abortions?

Oppose

(b) research that involves destroying live human embryos in order to obtain cells for experimentation?

Oppose

Comments:  As I previously stated: no one should be forced to contribute to a cause to which they are morally opposed.

Support

I believe in free and open borders, as long as those entering our country abide by our laws and contribute to society.

Eliminate the "War on Drugs" which has done nothing to reduce drug usage — but has spawned an entirely new criminal class, corrupted our legal system and has helped trash our constitutional rights.

1. War on Drugs - End it now!

2. Social Security - Privatize it now!

3. Federal Income Tax - radically change and/or eliminate it!

Comments: Most of your questions assume that the Federal Government should be involved to a great extent in our daily lives - in direct contrast to what is intended in our Constitution. May I suggest that if we as a people took over most of the responsibilities for our own well-being, we would not be under the mountain of laws, regulations and intrusions imposed upon us.

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Oppose

My husband and I have raised six children. I know we must give our young people the message that they can be abstinent. We must also ensure that they know that they must make responsible choices. I look forward to the day when every child has equal access to education, health care and job opportunity.

Support

I support taxpayer funded programs for women's health and prevention. When a woman's life or health is in danger in any way, I believe she should have access to medical assistance, regardless of her economic status.

Support

We must ensure that the family farm not just survives, but reaps some of the economic benefits every other sector of the economy has. I support a counter-cyclical income stabilization program to even out the highs and lows, fully funded mandatory price reporting legislation, and development of value-added agricultural products.

Oppose

I have a strong record against the death penalty. I supported the death penalty moratorium and study in Nebraska. I have also supported tough crime and law enforcement measures. There should be certain punishment for murder. Such punishment should be life imprisonment without possibility of parole.

Support

While I support these tax credits, they are not enough. To honestly protect Nebraska's families, we must raise the minimum wage above the poverty level and index it to inflation. That way, minimum wage does not become a political football that only hurts families. We must also ensure quality and affordable child care for families.

Tax Relief? No response

Education Vouchers? Oppose

Comments: I have not supported vouchers because I believe they drain an already strained school system of needed resources. I have supported legislative studies on charter schools for specific needs, such as a School for the Deaf.

Support

Guaranteeing the safety and cleanliness of our air, water, and land is a high priority. I support sensible legislation that ensures the protection of our families and our natural resources.

Oppose

I do not support euthanasia. I know that pain and suffering can be a traumatic and frightening part of illness. That is why I supported legislation allowing health care providers the ability to prescribe medication to the extent required to alleviate pain.

Support

I believe we should forgive the debt of countries unable to pay their obligations to us. We must provide economic aid, financial experts, and help devise a detailed, fiscally responsible plan to help countries accelerate debt reduction without putting them at risk of spiraling back into a restrictive and dangerous debt.

Support

We should not provide military aid or trade preferences to countries that are known human rights abusers.

The Federal Government should ensure access to quality, affordable health care that protects every American. This health care must provide that health decisions are made by patients, their families and medical professionals. It also should allow parties to be held responsible for the health care decisions that cause harm or injury.

(a) biomedical research and experimentation that utilizes fetal tissue from induced abortions?

Support

(b) research that involves destroying live human embryos in order to obtain cells for experimentation?

Support

Comments:  I believe research being done right here in Nebraska provides the best chance at finding cures to neuro-degenerative diseases.

Support

Seeking political asylum is an extreme step for anyone. Those who truly fear for their political, religious or physical lives and well being from their own government should have the opportunity to be heard.

We must hold adults accountable for actions a child commits with an improperly secured gun. We must require three-day background checks and industry standard trigger locks with gun purchases. We must educate children about violence, while enacting safe-schools legislation. We need stiffer penalties on violent adult offenders.

1. Ensuring that every child has a good education and the skills to hold a good job.

2. Providing access to quality, affordable health care for every American.

3. Guaranteeing a secure retirement for everyone.

Comments: I have a strong record of honestly protecting Nebraska's families. I've fought to invest our state's resources in education, health care and retirement. I've also fought to protect Nebraska's families through reasonable gun safety measures. I will take that fight to Congress and continue to work for Nebraska's families on these issues that are the foundation of the good life.

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Support

I am co-sponsoring an amendment that protects the right-to-life of each human being from the moment of fertilization.

Oppose

The Federal Government should not finance a procedure many Americans find morally objectionable.

We must eliminate the death tax which forces smaller family farmers to sell to larger land owners; open foreign markets and continue AMTA, disaster relief and LDP payments so our family farmers can survive these times of low prices and drought.

Support

The death penalty is appropriate punishment for some murder cases.

Support

Helping working families make ends meet by reducing overall tax rates and providing reasonable credits is important. I will carefully study each specific proposal to ensure it targets those it is intended to help.

Tax Relief? Support

Education Vouchers? Support

Comments: I support educational vouchers, but believe this decision should be made by each individual state, and not mandated by the Federal Government. Additionally, I am co-sponsoring legislation to increase contribution limits for Education Savings Accounts.

Support

Support reasonable measures to improve our air and water quality. We can also reform liability policies making polluters more liable and encouraging non-polluters to renew inner-city "Brownfields".

Oppose

Rather than demean human life by offering to kill terminally-ill patients, we should concentrate on increasing doctor's authority to administer pain-controlling drugs to ease suffering.

Support

Supported debt reduction for HIPC of $123 million for year 2000 and $225 million for 2001 appropriations. It is my hope that this continuous and controlled debt relief will help these countries in producing food supplies and medical care and relieve their poverty.

Oppose

Open trade is necessary to more closely monitor human rights violations and exert appropriate pressure for change in foreign countries. Displaying the power of freedom and democracy through open trade is the most effective tool for change.

We must concentrate on lowering costs and expanding access without injecting government bureaucracy into the health care system. Establishing an "external review" process for disputed insurance claims, letting patients choose their own doctor, and expanding Medical Savings Accounts while allowing 100% tax deductibility of self-employed individuals will go a long way in improving our current health care system.

(a) biomedical research and experimentation that utilizes fetal tissue from induced abortions?

Oppose

(b) research that involves destroying live human embryos in order to obtain cells for experimentation?

Oppose

Comments:  As a number of the pro-life causes, this type of research is especially disturbing. I have also submitted testimony to a recent congressional hearing to look into reports that some companies profit from trafficking body parts for medical research.

Support

The United States is a country of immigrants — this is a great strength. Political asylum is important to help certain immigrants, and it should not be restricted.

We first need moral leadership from our political leaders who espouse value and respect for life and principles. This includes leadership that will take on violence in Hollywood. Secondly, we need to strengthen laws against criminals — violent criminals by requiring mandatory sentences and mandatory drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.

1. Improving education

2. Making the tax-code "family friendly"

3. Improving retirement security

Comments: (1) By returning control over education dollars and decisions to the state and local school districts who best know our children's needs. (2) By eliminating harmful taxes such as the "Marriage Penalty" and the "Death Tax" and the Social Security Earnings Limit. (3) By protecting Social Security and Medicare and expanding IRA's while reducing overall tax rates so families can save more.

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Support

Science supports the concept that life begins at conception. If our nation is to reflect any sense of justice, we must recognize the rights of the unborn.

Oppose

I agree with the Libertarian Platform when it says, "It is particularly harsh to force someone who believes that abortion is murder to pay for another's abortion."

No Position

The only way to be fair to small farmers, big farmers, consumers and taxpayers is to end the farm programs. As a full time farmer, I know firsthand how farm programs do not work. Food and fiber production is much too important to allow the government to be involved.

No Position

I am a strong supporter of properly administered capital punishment for murder. I could also endorse capital punishment for rape. However, these crimes are state issues. I believe the Federal Government should be less involved in policing and prosecuting crimes not specified in the Constitution.

Support

Libertarians believe we should eliminate the Federal Income Tax and replace it with reduced spending. This would give the economy an outstanding boost and increase job opportunities. These additional job opportunities would make it possible for many of the low-income families to climb above the poverty line.

Tax Relief? Support

Education Vouchers? Support

Comments: We need to eliminate the Federal Income Tax and replace it with lower spending, such as eliminating the Department of Education, and return to local control of education. Vouchers should be provided by state governments on an interim basis until schools can (be) operated and supported by the private sector.

Oppose

Big government does not work. Government regulations are always arbitrary and often foolish. Pollution is done by persons and they should be held responsible.

Oppose

Oppose

Foreign debt is not our responsibility. We should end all foreign aid. Poverty is usually caused by failed government policy. Big government creates poverty; freedom allows people to create wealth. Poverty will be reduced when oppressive governments get out of the way and allow their people to prosper.

Oppose

We have to accept the fact that we cannot control the world. I agree with Thomas Jefferson, "Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations—entangling alliances with none, I deem [one of] the essential principles of our government, and consequently [one of] those which ought to shape its administration."

None. Except reduce regulations that inhibit health care and drive up costs. Government cannot "see to it". The more the government is involved, the less we can afford health care. I am against all socialism and fascism. It has failed in other countries, it will fail here.

(a) biomedical research and experimentation that utilizes fetal tissue from induced abortions?

Oppose

(b) research that involves destroying live human embryos in order to obtain cells for experimentation?

Oppose

Support

We cannot dictate how countries treat their citizens; we can welcome the mistreated…

"Give me you tired, your poor, Your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest tossed, to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

End all gun control. The Constitution forbids it. Gun control does not work. Guns prevent crime; gun control increases it. States with concealed carry laws have less crime. Great Briton (sic) has had an increase in murders with handguns since they were outlawed.

1. Work to end the violations of our unalienable (sic) rights.

2. Eliminate the Federal Income Tax and replace it with reduced spending.

3. Correct the inherent problems with Social Security.

Comments: (1) When politicians try to control people they always end up violating rights. That is why our founding fathers supported freedom. (2) Currently the Income Tax only provides 48% of the federal revenue. We can easily cut spending 50%. (3) We must meet our obligations to people in the system, but in the long run, it must be replaced with private funded and controlled retirement plans.

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Support

Oppose

Support

Oppose

I believe that data concerning the effectiveness of crime prevention, the fairness of administration and the percentage of erroneous executions needs to be reviewed and provided to the public in regard to the death penalty. I favor a moratorium until data is reviewed.

Support

Tax Relief? Support

Education Vouchers? Oppose

Comments: I favor a $2,000 tax credit for each school age child which can be used for tutoring, school supplies or private school tuition. I do not favor vouchers as I am concerned about the harm that might be done to public education.

Oppose

We need to better define and enforce the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts as they are now written. The EPA needs to provide sound science and cost analysis before imposing further regulations on agriculture. I support a clean environment, but am concerned about regulation that is counter-productive.

Oppose

No Position

Would favor if there is good evidence the country receiving aid would use the aid effectively.

Support (military-strategic) Oppose (food and medicine)

I oppose embargoes of food and medicine. Such embargoes have not been working and impose a hardship on the citizens of the country against whom we impose sanctions.

Medicaid serves the poorest segment. A tax credit should be given to those of modest means which would enable them to purchase basic medical coverage. They should be able to choose between at least two or more coverages. I oppose government controlled programs.

(a) biomedical research and experimentation that utilizes fetal tissue from induced abortions?

Oppose

(b) research that involves destroying live human embryos in order to obtain cells for experimentation?

Oppose

No Position

Would like to ease restrictions for those who would like to work in the U.S. — work permit.

Our television, movie, music and video game standards are abysmal. We need to change presidential leadership in order to restructure our federal courts. Mentoring programs have been shown to reduce violence. Enforce existing gun laws. Encourage moral and spiritual values.

1. Agriculture - lack of profitability

2. Rural economic development - improve telecommunications

3. Cultural, moral decay - emphasis on values and mentoring

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Oppose

Support

Get rid of Freedom to Farm — get agriculture moving again. Small and large farmers need equal protection under the law. I want everyone to make lots of money.

Support

Hope to deter crime — anyone put to death can no longer kill.

Support

We have an increasingly polarized society. The have-nots need help.

Tax Relief? Oppose

Education Vouchers? Oppose

Comments: Many of my friends have gone to parochial schools; I applaud that, but separation of church and state must not be compromised.

Support

No one has the right to pollute but we need to be careful not to over regulate as the EPA did in the earlier years.

Support

A terminally ill patient should have the freedom of choice.

Oppose

Little can be done from the outside; those countries need to learn how to take care of their problems internally.

Oppose

China and other countries have problems that we cannot possibly understand. We would be very unhappy if foreign countries put pressure on us because of our stand on human rights.

All of our citizens need help, but socialized medicine has never been a good answer in any society. Most people in our society get good healthcare; the balance need education on how to obtain necessary care.

(a) biomedical research and experimentation that utilizes fetal tissue from induced abortions?

Support

(b) research that involves destroying live human embryos in order to obtain cells for experimentation? 

Support

Comments: (a) no abortions should be encouraged - only those already decided; (b) very important research, but also very difficult to talk about. If this research were to save the life of one of my grandchildren, then it would be easier to talk about.

Support

Political asylum refugees need to be #1 with us; if not those people likely face death or worse.

We need to start teaching in the first grade about how to avoid abuse (dial 911, call a relative or a friend). Schools should have a federal bonus if they teach this well. Columbine will never happen again when our society learns to stop abuse: physical, sexual, lack of attention and desertion.

1. Get agriculture moving again

2. Pay for medication on a need basis for elderly

3. Fully fund Social Security

Comments: From the budget surplus and lock up the money so Congressmen can not get at it.

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