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--></style><title>Statesman: GOP House candidates answer
questions</title></head><body>
<div><font color="#000000">U.S. House candidates on the
issues</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000">From taxes to land management and beyond,
the Republicans make a pitch for your votes</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font color="#000000">Edition Date: 05-14-2006</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font color="#000000"><br>
What should we do about federal taxes?<br>
<br>
Brandt: "We should look at a flat tax and abolish the
IRS."<br>
<br>
Johnson: "I oppose tax increases because it excuses irresponsible
spending habits ... and allows big government to grow."<br>
<br>
Sali: "I will vote to reduce taxes at every turn and will work to
lower spending."<br>
<br>
Semanko: "I would be interested in looking at either a flat tax
or a national sales tax."<br>
<br>
Sorensen: "First, I would make President Bush's tax cuts
permanent. We will not increase revenue over the long run without
economic growth, and tax cuts generally create economic
growth."<br>
<br>
Vasquez: "I would consider a flat-tax option only with the
elimination of exemptions ... (including) the exemptions for
illegal-alien foreign nationals filing in U.S.A."<br>
</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000">How should we address the deficit?<br>
<br>
Brandt: "The appropriations process should focus on America's
needs and not the world's wants. The 35,000 D.C. lobbyists should not
be allowed to have their clients' private projects funded through
appropriation earmarks."<br>
<br>
Johnson: "We must eliminate pork projects from the federal
budget, establish line-item veto authority for the president, and
reform entitlement programs that are on a collision course with
bankruptcy."<br>
<br>
Sali: "I will co-sponsor a balanced-budget amendment.
Approximately 30 percent of Medicaid costs can be saved by
transforming it into a community-health-center-style ...
program."<br>
<br>
Semanko: "I also want to see a balanced-budget amendment to the
Constitution adopted. ... Such an amendment will force Congress to set
priorities and spend only the money that is needed for the most
important programs."<br>
<br>
Sorensen: "To balance the budget, we need to cut spending -
plain and simple. A deficit of $8.2 trillion is unacceptable. To cut
spending, we need to put everything on the table."<br>
<br>
Vasquez: "Re-evaluate foreign aid expenditures and contributions
to the United Nations efforts."<br>
</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000">How should we manage lands?<br>
<br>
Brandt: "The states should be given the ability to manage their
own air, water, land and wildlife including endangered
species."<br>
<br>
Johnson: "I have consistently worked for forest-health
improvement, sustainable grazing and recreational access to public
lands. I oppose the sale of federal lands to balance the budget. I
support reform of the Endangered Species Act."<br>
<br>
Sali: "Federal laws such as the National Environmental Policy and
Endangered Species acts should be amended to protect private-property
rights and recognize that human beings are important species
too."<br>
<br>
Semanko: "The federal government needs to be a better manager of
the lands, and it needs to allow for multiple use of our federal
lands. Idaho is a growing state, and we need to make sure we protect
the land for the people, not from the people."<br>
<br>
Sorensen: "We need more state control of our environment, and
less control from the federal government. Badly written environmental
laws, such as the Endangered Species Act, have hit many communities
like a wrecking ball."<br>
<br>
Vasquez: "The federal government's role in state land issues
should be severely curtailed."<br>
</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000">Do you support the Owyhee and Boulder-White
Clouds proposals?<br>
<br>
Brandt: "Each state is unique and the federal government's
one-size-fits-all rules do not work. We can protect our environment
and use it responsibly."<br>
<br>
Johnson: "Proposals like (these) should be decided with local
representation and must ensure private-property rights are
protected."<br>
<br>
Sali: "I do not support additional wilderness in the
Boulder-White Clouds Mountains and am not yet convinced of the need
for additional lockup of the Owyhee Canyonlands."<br>
<br>
Semanko: "I believe that negotiations on the Boulder-White Clouds
need to continue; I am opposed to the current legislation. As far as
the Owyhee Canyon lands, it is too soon to comment on legislation that
has not been introduced yet."</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000"><br>
Sorensen: "I'll reserve my opinion on wilderness until I see the
final product, but I support the collaborative efforts initiated by
Rep. Simpson and Sen. Crapo."<br>
<br>
Vasquez: "Idaho does not need more land designated 'pristine
wilderness' that results in its becoming inaccessible for Idahoans to
use or harvest natural land and forest resources."<br>
</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000">Why are you the best choice?<br>
<br>
Brandt: "I am the only small businessman in the race and have
both the common sense and the proven leadership track record to
effectively serve the constituents of the 1st District. I will always
place America first and the needs of the 1st District above anything
else. I am a responsible conservative who does not 'go along to get
along' yet accomplishes things for my constituents."<br>
<br>
Johnson: "As a member of Idaho's leadership team, I best reflect
the ideals and values of the 1st Congressional District. In my
professional career I've helped solve the savings-and-loan crisis,
helped fix the largest municipal bankruptcy in the U.S., and helped
Oklahoma City recover after the bombing of the Murrah
Building."<br>
<br>
Sali: "My 16-year-record in the Legislature proves I am a true
conservative who leads on conservative issues. ... My record also
proves I fight against politics as usual and have the backbone to
stand firm for what I believe is right."<br>
<br>
Semanko: "I am the only candidate who has worked in Congress,
having worked for Sen. Larry Craig. I am the only candidate with
meaningful federal land-management-law experience. I am the only
candidate who has worked and lived in both North Idaho and Southern
Idaho. I am also the only candidate who is not a professional
politician."<br>
<br>
Sorensen: "What separates me is my level of experience. During my
17 years in the Legislature, I've worked with others, built coalitions
and sponsored key bills. My peers elected me to leadership and I've
chaired key committees. ... I can work well with our congressional
delegation and be effective in Congress from Day 1."<br>
<br>
Vasquez: "My opponents have now followed my lead in fighting the
illegal-alien invasion. Regrettably for them, they failed to do
anything about it when they had the chance."</font></div>
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