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October 22, 2004/Cheshvan 7 5765, Vol. 57, No. 8
Congressional candidates weigh in on security, foreign aid, peace
MICHAEL MIKLOFSKY
Staff Writer
With the Nov. 2 general election imminent, candidates for U. S. Congress are campaigning heavily. Jewish News invited contenders from five Arizona congressional districts where most readers live to share their views on three issues.
The Questions:
"What federal strategies would you develop to ensure the security of Arizonans?"
"The United States provides foreign aid throughout the world, including many Middle Eastern countries. Do you support foreign aid, and if so, for what purposes?"
"The Bush administration has discounted Yasser Arafat as a viable partner in the Middle East peace process. What role should the United States play, and what relationship should the United States have with Israel to help achieve peace in the region?"
The Answers:
District 1
Paul Babbitt (D)
Babbitt has been a Coconino County supervisor for 18 years. He previously served as mayor of Flagstaff and a member of the Flagstaff City Council.
Security: "For too long, expenses related to the border have fallen on the border counties and small towns. The federal government needs to do a better job of alleviating these expenses for our local communities, and of protecting our borders."
Foreign aid: "As a member of Congress, I will be a steadfast supporter of providing foreign aid to countries in need. I also realize that an economically stable Middle East is vital to American security and will support loan guarantees to those that qualify. I will also never hesitate to provide additional funding to the Middle East for necessary security enhancements and peace initiatives."
Peace process: "I believe that the long-term security of Israel will be enhanced if meaningful and lasting peace agreements can be reached with its neighbors. As a congressman, I will lobby the president to engage in the Middle East peace process while combating the intolerable acts of terror that have disrupted recent diplomatic efforts."
John Crockett (L)
Crockett is an information technology consultant. This is his first run for political office.
Security: "I would introduce legislation and budget appropriations to provide the necessary funding to appropriate federal, state and local law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as well as the oversight required to coordinate a successful domestic anti-terrorism effort. I would increase funding to the customs service for more and better technology for container screening."
Foreign aid: "I support privately funded aid solutions. U.S. citizens should have the freedom to form aid organizations and to contribute to those organizations in whatever form they please. I do not support the current system of coercing our contributions through the use of the draconian tax code."
Peace process: "The U.S. should offer its help as a mediator of peace in the region. However the U.S. should not insinuate itself into the process unless invited. To think that the U.S. will play any substantially meaningful role in ending those hostilities borders on arrogant."
Rick Renzi (R)
Renzi is seeking re-election for a second term as District 1 representative.
Security: "I am an original co-sponsor of H.R. 1096, the Border Infrastructure and Technology Modernization Act. This bill includes funding authorizations to improve existing capabilities, upgrading basic infrastructure at vital entry points and hiring an additional 300 customs and immigration personnel every year until 2008."
Foreign aid: "While the U.S. should continue to assist other countries and build alliances with those who share similar beliefs, we must remain prudent in our foreign assistance programs and use this tool only when it best serves the interests of our nation."
Peace process: "Recent violence has drastically reduced trust on both sides of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. A sustained diplomatic effort on behalf of the United States is needed to successfully implement multilateral negotiations and bring peace. I support President Bush's determination that Yasser Arafat is no longer a viable partner for a future resolution."
District 2
Randy Camacho (D)
Camacho is president of the Wolverine-Knight Foundation, which provides scholarships to Tolleson High School students.
Security: "We must properly fund out first responders. We must provide our law enforcement agencies guarding our border with the resources in human power and technology to allow them to do their job. One of the greatest frustrations border law enforcement officers have expressed to me is not being able to identify who they have apprehended because there is no system of cooperation between the United States and its Latin American neighbors."
Foreign aid: "I fully support aid to Israel. Israel must be provided with the resources to be able to defend itself and to flourish economically. Aid for countries that harbor terrorists, participate in terrorist activities or finance terrorism should immediately be stopped."
Peace process: "I agree that Yasser Arafat is not a viable partner in the Middle East peace process. The United States must play an integral role in the peace process. The end goal should recognize Israel's right to exist. It should also take into account the linking of the Gaza Strip with the West Bank."
Trent Franks (R)
Franks is seeking re-election for a (the) second term as District 2 representative. He did not respond.
Powell Gammill (L)
Gammill is a molecular biologist and laboratory manager.
Security: "Pull our troops back to the states from the more than 130 countries they are currently deployed, returning them to a defensive force. No foreign aid. Stop interfering in other nations' affairs. Stop interfering in our nation's international business affairs."
Foreign aid: "Taxation is theft by the politicians for redistribution to others for political gain (vote buying and political contributions). I can imagine no worse theft than to be handing the stolen booty to another country or foreigners so favored by Washington, D.C. No foreign aid to anyone, for any reason."
Peace process: "Stop interfering. Let Israelis and Palestinians (as well as other Middle East countries) work it out amongst themselves. Repeal laws that prohibit citizens from donating their services or any amounts of money to any foreign nations, groups or causes with whom we are not in a declared war."
District 3
John Shadegg (R)
Shadegg is seeking re-election for a sixth term as District 3 representative. He serves on the Select Committee on Homeland Security, Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Financial Services Committee. Shadegg is chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness.
Security: "We have passed legislation safeguarding federal funds for police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel. Along the border, I have fought for surveillance using unmanned aerial vehicles to search for drug smugglers and potential terrorists."
Foreign aid: "Foreign aid is a beneficial tool to provide assistance and promote American interests abroad. The values of peace, democracy and human rights benefit from our efforts. Through helping our vital allies like Israel, foreign aid offers added strength and economic stability worldwide."
Peace process: "The United States must stand by Israel, the only functioning democracy in the Middle East, as their ally and friend, and should work to help resolve the situation. It is critical that the Middle East peace process move forward on the basis of trust and cooperation, not through bloodshed and broken promises."
Mark Yannone (L)
Yannone ran unsuccessfully for the District 3 seat in 1994 and 2002.
Security: "Restore the responsibility for national defense to the 140 countries defended by U.S. military forces. Return all military personnel and equipment to the United States. Honor the second amendment, and free all who are in prison for exercising their right to keep and bear arms."
Foreign aid: "Fortunately, the U.S. Constitution does not allow congressmen to give away money, goods and services to foreign countries to in any way support foreign aid. Unfortunately, few congressmen honor their oaths of office to support and defend the Constitution. Private citizens may donate whatever they own to anyone they choose."
Peace process: "The United States government has no role to play in the Middle East peace process. As private citizens, however, concerned Americans are free to help as they see fit."
District 4
Gary Fallon (L)
Fallon provides telecommunications services for small and medium-sized businesses. He has run unsuccessfully for governor and several other offices. He did not respond.
Don Karg (R)
This is Karg's first run for political office.
Security: "To make sure we have our immigration controlled. I've already been working with Sen. Kyl and Sen. McCain on this problem and sent them many letters dealing with immigration policy, so I'm hot on it. I've already suggested to President Bush a few times how to handle the border."
Foreign aid: "Sure, I support foreign aid, but we have to have a review of the whole process. ... We have to evaluate who gets the foreign aid and for what reason."
Peace process: "Arafat is in the equation? I wouldn't even have him in the equation. Let's look at Israel as just another country in the world. When the citizens are getting blown up to pieces normally most people if they were their neighboring countries would come to their aid and help them. What we should do is the same."
Ed Pastor (D)
Pastor is seeking re-election for a seventh term as District 4 representative. He did not respond.
District 6
Jeff Flake (R)
Flake is seeking re-election for a third term as District 6 representative. He did not respond.
Craig Stritar (L)
This is Stritar's first run for political office.
Security: "The federal government is a bigger threat to the security of Arizonans than any terrorist. The best thing that the federal government can do to protect the security of Arizonans would be to let Arizonans handle our own security. Not only were federal police agencies feared by the founding fathers and unconstitutional, but these bureaucracies are counterproductive and take money away from Arizona residents."
Foreign aid: "No. Where in the Constitution does it allow politicians to donate taxpayer money to a foreign government? Not only is such a practice unconstitutional, it is immoral and dangerous. Many people ask 'what about Israel?' but the best way that we can help Israel is to stop funding its neighbors."
Peace process: "The United States should avoid entangling alliances at all costs. If another country desires to hold a peace summit in the U.S., our government should remain neutral in the proceedings. The best way to help Israel to achieve peace in the region is to allow individuals to donate to causes that they feel are effective."
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