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Published: October 10, 2008 12:28 pm
ELECTION Q&A: U.S. Congress 9th District
Editor’s Note: Submissions appear as the candidates submitted them without editing. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Except where noted, questionnaires are only being published for contested races.
Baron Paul Hill
• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Democratic
• AGE: 54
• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Seymour High School, 1971; Furman University, Bachelor of Arts, 1975
• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: First elected to U.S. Congress in 1998.
-Reelected to Congress in 2006.
-Current member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, House Science and Technology Committee and the Joint Economic Committee.
-Served eight years in the Indiana General Assembly (1982-1990).
-Owned and operated a small business in Seymour.
-Named Executive Director of the Indiana State Student Assistance Commission by then-Governor Evan Bayh in 1992.
• FAMILY NOTES: Husband of 35 years to Betty Schepman Hill; Father of three daughters: Jennifer Hill Weiser, Cara Huddleston and Elizabeth Hill; Resided entire life in Seymour.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE? “In 2006 voters wanted change. I believe I have made progress — like increasing the minimum wage for the first time in a decade, cutting interest rates on student loans, raising fuel efficiency standards for our vehicles, funding the VA at the highest level since its creation and enacting pay-as-you-go spending rules. But, there is still work to be done. And, that is why I am running for reelection - to continue the changes we have begun in order to move this country in a new direction. Like most Hoosiers, I am frustrated that Congress has not accomplished more. But, I will not allow those frustrations to overpower my desire to work for real results. In the midst of such partisan tension, I have been named one of the most moderate members of Congress. I have been able to work with both parties to craft legislation that will help Hoosier families. I believe the majority of the residents of the Ninth District are practical folks who want to improve our country by finding practical solutions to our problems.”
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THIS POSITION IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS? “There is, understandably, a general angst among Americans about the economy. The current financial crisis finds our great nation on the verge of an economic depression that requires decisive action. Property taxes are skyrocketing, healthcare costs increasing, gasoline becoming more expensive daily, the housing market experiencing unprecedented troubles and our financial institutions faltering while Hoosiers are being offered little to no relief. The lagging economy affects all aspects of peoples' lives and Congress must do more to help middle-class Americans. Although short-term options may seem more appealing now, our real problems lie in the government's reckless spending. I am proud that this Congress has enacted pay-as-you-go spending rules and regained fiscal control. However, we must do more. I have voted against both budget proposals crafted by my Democratic colleagues because of the large increases in discretionary spending and reliance on the Social Security Trust Fund. We must overhaul our unfair tax structure that gives breaks to the wealthiest Americans and oil companies reaping record profits while we pay record prices at the pump. We must put rules in place to ensure that Wall Street doesn't put Main Street out of business.”
WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? “My focus is on getting real results for folks back home, which often involves working in a bipartisan manner. One of my proudest professional accomplishments is the direct result of bipartisan work — an increase in fuel efficiency standards for the first time in over thirty years. My proposal was not the only one out there, but it was successful because it was the only one that had bipartisan support and ensured that we make progress while protecting American jobs. Problems here in Southern Indiana don't affect only Republicans or Democrats, they affect all of us. And, it's going to take everyone coming together to get this country back on track.
“The increase in fuel efficiency standards is also a critical part of a comprehensive effort to end our country's dangerous dependence on foreign oil. For the sake of our economic, environmental and national security, we must achieve energy independence.”
WHAT MAKES THIS ELECTION SEASON DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS DURING WHICH YOU'VE CAMPAIGNED FOR THIS OFFICE? “This presidential election has reenergized Americans and sparked the interest and involvement of young voters. People are yearning for change. That change has begun, but there is a lot more work to be done. And, with a citizenry and executive branch all collectively working to move this country in a new direction, real change can be achieved. People are sick of the partisan bickering in Washington that all too often hampers getting real results. And, quite frankly, I'm sick of it as well. Our problems are too serious and our decisions too weighty to not work with others simply because they have an “R” or “D” next to their name. I am, and promise to continue to be, an independent voice for Southern Indiana, focused on listening to Hoosiers and getting real results for folks back home.”
WHAT DO YOU FEEL ARE THE BEST SHORT-TERM AND BEST LONG-TERM OPTIONS TO HELPING VOTERS DEAL WITH ENERGY PRICES RISING FASTER THAN PERSONAL INCOME? “Sky-high gas prices are affecting all aspects of Hoosier families' lives. While addressing the short-term crisis, we must also keep focused on the underlying cause of our current situation - our nation's dangerous and costly dependence on foreign oil. Congress cannot dictate the price of gasoline at the pump. But, that doesn't mean I'm going to stop fighting to lower sky-high gas prices and end our dependence on foreign oil. I believe we must allow for increased offshore drilling to put more oil onto the marketplace, crack down on unregulated oil speculators and corrupt oil companies, divert extra oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for consumer use, force oil companies to drill on the more than 68 million acres of land on which they already own leases or give them up to competitors, and fight back against price gouging.
“We have to take the profits earned from increased oil production and pour those resources into developing renewable and alternative forms of energy. We have the tools right here in Southern Indiana - the natural resources, the finest universities and the drive - to make energy independence a reality.”
GENERALLY SPEAKING, WHICH OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES' HEALTH CARE PROPOSALS WOULD YOU SUPPORT IF THE ISSUE COMES UP FOR A VOTE DURING THE NEXT TERM OF OFFICE? “Our nation should not accept and cannot afford to have 47 million of its own citizens uninsured. I believe healthcare is a right for all Americans and that we need to bring all those involved in the healthcare industry - doctors, nurses, pharmacists, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, insurance providers, patient advocates, etc. - together to devise the most effective way to provide health insurance for all Americans. I am not championing one way of achieving this goal or another. I am simply forcing the issue to be confronted, and dealt with, once and for all. Being open to considering all options allows me to really listen to what individuals and groups have to offer. This is one of the most pressing and critical issues facing our great nation, and no one should be shut out of that conversation.”
IF THE DECISION WERE YOURS ALONE TO MAKE, HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST HANDLING THE U.S. ECONOMY IN 2009? “Years of reckless fiscal spending have led to an appalling deficit and seriously strained our economy. The root cause of our current economic trouble is a complete disregard to put our fiscal house in order. The price of everything from gasoline, to food, to healthcare has increased while the paychecks of hard-working Hoosiers largely have not.
“Hoosier families have to live within a budget, and so too should the government. I am proud to be part of a Congress that enacted strict pay-as-you-go rules, requiring us to find ways to offset any new spending. That's step one.
“We also need to jumpstart the economy, and one way to do that is to devote more resources to green products and the development of alternative energy. Another way is to make significant investments in improving our infrastructure, such as vowing to get the Ohio River Bridges project completed as soon as possible. And, I'll continue to support the backbone of our economy - small businesses - by voting for tax cuts that benefit them.”
8) HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES. “No.”
D. Eric Schansberg
• POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION: Libertarian
• AGE: 43
• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: PhD, Economics, Texas A&M
• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Professor of Economics, Indiana University Southeast, 1992-present
• FAMILY NOTES: Tonia—wife of 13 years; four boys—two by adoption; two the more conventional way
1) WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE? “I am the best qualified in terms of knowledge about policy and expertise in policy analysis. I have thought, taught and written about federal public policy for more than 20 years. In this election, do you want to send someone to Washington who knows a little or a lot about economics?
“I am the only fiscal conservative in the race (although both of my opponents want to claim the label). And given our spending, debt, and devalued dollar, this is arguably our most important issue.
“I will talk about important topics that the other candidates will ignore—and make points about various policies that they cannot or will not make.”
2) WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THIS POSITION IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS? “Fiscal conservatism. The dollar has devalued 40% since 2002, resulting most notably in higher prices for gas. The gas crisis is really a dollar crisis; if not for the devalued dollar, we’d be paying less than $3 per gallon. The debt and spending of President Bush and his Congresses have led to a weakened dollar. In recent months, spending and debt have spiraled even further out of control—with attempted bailouts for everything from the entire economy to chosen industries. We must restore fiscal sanity to Washington—or we risk driving our country into a ditch.”
3) WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? “The publication of my two books on federal public policy — Poor Policy: How Government Harms the Poor and Turn Neither to the Right nor to the Left: A Thinking Christian’s Guide to Politics and Public Policy.”
4) WHAT MAKES THIS ELECTION SEASON DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS DURING WHICH YOU’VE CAMPAIGNED FOR THIS OFFICE? “In some ways, it’s just another election. I enjoy hearing younger people say that this is a “crucial election”. I tell them that in a decade or so, they’ll realize that every election is ‘crucial.’
“In another way, this is a special time — especially with our unprecedented problems in the financial sector and the unprecedented attempts by government to use bail-outs that are unconstitutional, inequitable, and impractical. And this explosion of spending and debt comes at a time when we cannot afford it.
“Maybe this is a good time to send an economist to Washington?”
5) WHAT DO YOU FEEL ARE THE BEST SHORT-TERM AND BEST LONG-TERM OPTIONS TO HELPING VOTERS DEAL WITH ENERGY PRICES RISING FASTER THAN PERSONAL INCOME? “Drill early and often (in an environmentally-sensitive manner). It doesn’t take a PhD in Economics to figure that one out!
“Again, the largest problem is the devalued dollar. Candidates from the major parties won’t talk about that—because they are causing it. But we have to get our financial house in order.
“The Democrats are trying to distract voters with policies that would scapegoat those who are commonly accused of villainy: speculators, price gougers, and oil companies. Their pursuit reveals some combination of remarkable ignorance or captivity to a radical anti-consumption agenda.
“NO CORPORATE SUBSIDIES: Market forces will encourage us to move away from oil-based energy in the years to come—perhaps at a rapid pace. Politicians like to use the government to take money from you to give to corporations—Republicans to oil and alternative energy companies and Democrats to alternative energy—but there should be NO corporate subsidies. More important, the market provides terrific incentives to develop the next best thing in exploration, energy use, conservation, and so on. Imagine how much money is on the table to create the next great innovations in energy!”
GENERALLY SPEAKING, WHICH OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES’ HEALTH CARE PROPOSALS WOULD YOU SUPPORT IF THE ISSUE COMES UP FOR A VOTE DURING THE NEXT TERM OF OFFICE? “Neither. In an ideal world, there would be no federal role for health care. It is neither constitutional nor efficient. At present, as with so many other things, we send our money to Washington; they pocket some of the money; they attach strings to the residual; and then they send it back to us so we can solve our own problems. This isn't very smart! Moreover, the 50 states should be encouraged to try different policies. If you want even more government intervention in this arena (and I don’t), why would you want to insist on taking the phenomenal risk of one federal experiment-- with such a complex policy problem-- when we can try 50 different approaches to see what works best?
IF THE DECISION WERE YOURS ALONE TO MAKE, HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST HANDLING THE U.S. ECONOMY IN 2009? “Quit trying to bail out companies. We would have been better off with a short, shallow recession than what we have now.
“Lower marginal tax rates (particularly payroll taxes).
“Move unconstitutional and impractical functions of the federal government to state and local decisions.
“Switch from the current tax structure to a Fair or Flat Tax.
8) HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES. “No.”
Mike Sodrel
• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Republican
• AGE: 62
• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Graduate of New Albany High School
• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Small business owner
1. The Free Enterprise System
2. Sodrel Logistics
3. Star of America
4. Sodrel Truck Lines
• FAMILY NOTES: Married to Marquita Dean Sodrel for over 40 years and have 2 children and 7 grandchildren
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE? “This election is not about me or my opponent. It's not even about Republicans or Democrats. It's about the future of our kids and grandkids.”
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THIS POSITION IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS? “Getting our economy back on track.”
WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? “That I was able to start a local company that became world class and has employed hundreds of my fellow Americans. Government doesn't create jobs, government makes job creation more difficult or easier. Serving Southern Indiana as a Congressman was an honor, but I am most proud of my professional accomplishments in the private sector.”
WHAT MAKES THIS ELECTION SEASON DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS DURING WHICH YOU'VE CAMPAIGNED FOR THIS OFFICE? “In the 2006 election there was a lot of talk about change. Well we got change. The price of gas is up over 70%, the budget deficit is up over 50%, consumer confidence is slipping and the economy has slowed to a crawl. That's not the kind of change that the voters wanted. Every election people say it's an important election, but this election really is the most important of our lifetime. The future of our kids and grandkids hangs on the outcome of this election.”
WHAT DO YOU FEEL ARE THE BEST SHORT-TERM AND BEST LONG-TERM OPTIONS TO HELPING VOTERS DEAL WITH ENERGY PRICES RISING FASTER THAN PERSONAL INCOME? “Our economy and our national security depend on America becoming energy independent.
“In order to become energy independent, it will take an “All of the Above” energy policy. We need more wind energy, solar energy, water energy, and other renewable sources of energy. We need to drill here and drill now.
“In the search for alternate sources we should offer prizes for new machines and processes that let us do more with less energy, prizes for new sources of renewables, and prizes for more efficient solar panels or electric motors. We must at the same time develop our traditional resources to use during the transition period.
“When a private prize of $10 million was offered for anyone to send a person into space, and back again within 2 weeks, Space One was born and it hangs in the Smithonian today. If we incentivize the American people to become more efficient and creative, open up areas of known oil and gas reserves, and get out of the way, the American people can solve this problem.”
GENERALLY SPEAKING, WHICH OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES' HEALTH CARE PROPOSALS WOULD YOU SUPPORT IF THE ISSUE COMES UP FOR A VOTE DURING THE NEXT TERM OF OFFICE? “Senator McCain”
IF THE DECISION WERE YOURS ALONE TO MAKE, HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST HANDLING THE U.S. ECONOMY IN 2009? “Producers and consumers alike cannot make long term decisions based on short term tax policy. What is needed is tax reform and long term predictability. I would enact the Fair Tax. The Fair Tax would eliminate income taxes and replace it with a sales tax. By moving taxes from production to consumption, the Fair Tax levels the tax playing field between American products and foreign products. This means more jobs for Americans. So it's not only a tax bill, it's a jobs bill.
“In a nutshell the Fair Tax would:
• Allow you to receive your full wages with no federal payroll tax withheld from your paycheck. You get to keep 100% of everything you make. For waiters and waitresses it means you get to keep 100% of your tips.
• Enable retirees to keep their entire pensions
• Protect American jobs by allowing American products to compete fairly
• Free you from ever having to file another IRS Form
• Refund in advance the tax on purchases of basic necessities
• Bring transparency and accountability to tax policy
• Ensure Social Security and Medicare funding
• Close all loopholes and brings fairness to taxation
• Abolish the IRS
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES. “No”
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