There are two candidates that I have examined for the Republican primary in OH-16; they are Kirk Schuring and Matt Miller. I have checked the candidate websites for their positions and present them here side by side for comparison along with my analysis. In the event that a candidate did not address a particular issue on his site, I have contacted the campaign and requested a position statement.National Security
MILLER: Guiding Principles: “Does the bill enhance American security without unduly burdening civil liberty?”
SCHURING: Supports the troops by supporting the military strategy.
Once the country is stable, U.S. troops should be brought home as soon as possible and return to their civilian lives. Believes the Iraqi economy must be resurrected first to provide more stability. That, he believes, should be done with Iraqi oil money, not U.S. tax dollars.
SCHIFFER: We live in dangerous times. Less than 7 short years ago our nation was attacked by terrorists and the threat of more attacks are very real. The perpetrator of those attacks on 9/11, Osama Bin Laden and his al quaeda network are still at large. We must focus even more attention to the capture of Bin Laden and to counter-terrorism and intelligence work abroad. As Congressman, I will introduce legislation to provide additional funding specifically to special forces and counter-terrorism programs to obtain justice and protect this nation from the threat of radical, fundamentalist Islamic terrorism.
But even in these dangerous times, our border security is still poor, with at least 13 million illegal aliens living in this nation, their whereabouts unknown, and thousands more entering this country every day. This is a completely unacceptable and intolerable situation, and must be remedied. We cannot protect this country and our citizens if we cannot control our own borders. The FBI’s joint counter-terrorism task force has stated that “sleeper cells” of terrorists are present in the United States, and that they most likely arrived in this country through unprotected areas of our southern border.
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With Saddam Hussein removed from power and justice served, we now find ourselves in the process of securing Iraq and supporting the emergence of a more western style government. We now have a duty to do our part to return stability to Iraq. However, it should be our goal to remove our troops as soon as possible in an orderly way as we slowly turn over control to the newly formed Iraqi government. We must not simply “cut and run”, but we also must not plan to stay indefinitely in this foreign land. Our focus must be on protecting American troops, American citizens in Iraq, and protecting the Iraqi people during this transition period.
ANALYSIS: This one is something of a draw. While I like Miller's statement on securing civil liberty, he doesn't really address the national security reality that we are facing. Schuring's position is good, but doesn't really address domestic policy.
2nd Amendment
MILLER: Issues: “I am a strong supporter of our second amendment rights. Gun control laws simply keep guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens.”
SCHURING: Issues: “Second Amendment groups across Ohio have consistently endorsed Kirk Schuring as a defender of the right to bear arms. Kirk is an adamant defender of Second Amendment rights, and strongly believes in the right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families.
In Congress, Kirk will oppose any efforts to restrict gun ownership or limit the ability of Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”
SCHIFFER: Every American citizen has a fundamental right to protect themselves from violence and threat. It is the right of all Americans, therefore, to responsibly own firearms, including handguns. The regulation of firearms should be handled by the states according to the wishes of their citizens, but no state should be permitted to disarm its citizens. It has been shown that crime is reduced by increased gun ownership and right to carry laws. And it was known by our founding fathers that the citizenry must be permitted to own firearms to protect themselves from government. For this reason, overreaching Federal laws restricting firearm ownership must be repealed, and laws that expressly protect the rights of gun owners should be enacted. Our civil liberties and our own personal protection are at stake.
ANALYSIS: I give this issue to Schuring based solely on the strength of the rhetoric he employs. There is zero doubt as to Kirk's position. Miller would probably be good on the issue as well, but I really found Schuring's answer to have better demonstrated understanding of the issue.
Illegal Immigration and Border Security
MILLER: Issues: “support strict enforcement of our current immigration laws.
Our nation has benefited immensely from the contributions of immigrants who have legally come to our country to create a better life for themselves and their families. The American Dream is still a powerful force that drives individuals from many backgrounds to work hard to make our communities better.
Unfortunately this same characteristic that makes our country great also makes us more vulnerable to those who want to exploit America’s openness to do us harm. It is important to our national security that we work to establish a good balance between stronger enforcement yet still allowing law abiding individuals the opportunities that America affords.
Many programs within our Department of Homeland Security already serve as our first line of defense against illegal immigrants and therefore must be supported and evaluated to determine if they have the resources they need to do their jobs. Additionally we must work to create stricter enforcement of the current immigration laws and impose the appropriate penalties on the thousands of people who work to facilitate and profit from illegal border crossings.
Since many illegal immigrants are here looking for employment, we must also work with our business leaders to ensure that they are abiding by the current immigration law as well as working to validate the necessary paperwork for their employees.
By working together we can help to ensure that our borders are secure while still allowing individuals from other countries all the greatness that America has to offer.”
SCHURING: Issues: “Kirk Schuring understands that America is a nation of immigrants. But he also knows that the problem of illegal immigration threatens this American tradition and has become a serious a national security threat.
In Congress, Kirk will fight to pass immigration laws that will secure our borders. He will oppose any plan to offer amnesty for illegal immigrants, while fully supporting ways to make legal immigration open and expedient for all those who want to become Americans by properly following the laws making it possible for them to do so.
In Columbus, he introduced legislation to prevent the government and private employers from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. He fought for a law to prohibit state agencies from awarding contracts to anyone who has employed illegal immigrants, as well as legislation encouraging political subdivisions to impose heavy sanctions on such employers.”
SCHIFFER: Because of our unprotected border, unprotected trade, and entangling international alliances, our sovereignty as a nation is being threatened. The Security and Prosperity Partnership is being described as the first major step toward a North American Union. Robert Pastor, an architect and supporter of the SPP was the co-chair of a May 2005 CFR (Council on Foreign Relations) report, “Building a North American Community,” which argued that the Security and Prosperity Partnership signed by President Bush with Mexico and Canada on March 23, 2005 should become by 2010 a “North American economic and security community, the boundaries of which would be defined by a common external tariff and an outer security perimeter.”
More and more the WTO, UN, World Bank, and other international organizations wield direct control over the American people. These treaties have proven to be too far reaching and endanger our independence as a nation. President Washington warned against “entangling alliances” such as these, and I will work to reduce the influence of foreign and multinational organizations and interests in the United States. The United States should be a friend to our allies, but we should remember that we are Americans first, and Congress must remember that they are elected by American citizens and serve to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States.
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Illegal immigration is out of control. There are at least 13 million illegal aliens in the United States today, with some estimating the number is closer to 20 million. Thousands more enter this country every day.
Some corporations knowingly employ illegals so as to avoid paying taxes, to avoid minimum wage laws, and to provide little or no benefits or basic worker safety standards. This must be stopped and Congress needs to take a proactive role on this issue. We must secure our border and prosecute abuses of our immigration system. It is highly unfair to the millions of legal immigrants, many of them our parents and grandparents who came here legally, to allow amnesty for illegals.
Legal immigration has played an important role in American history, and when there are shortages of workers, H1B (guest worker) visas can be beneficial to the American economy.
With 3 million manufacturing job losses and diminishing real wages for millions of American workers, there is no reason to expand or even maintain the currently high levels of “guest worker” visas in areas of the economy where there is no shortage of American workers. The unemployment rate among Americans in the unskilled and manufacturing sector is growing monthly. I reject the callous claim that illegal aliens and other foreign workers are “doing jobs that Americans won’t do”. There are thousands of folks in this district that are unemployed who are asking for a chance to get back on their feet. I will not support giving needed job opportunities to foreigners, particularly illegal aliens, simply because a few corporations want to save a few dollars, or wish to expand the political goal of internationalism. As Congressman, I will represent this district, this state, and this nation.
ANALYSIS: Schuring gets the nod here too. While Miller clearly understands the issue from an economic standpoint, Schuring views the issue through the national security prism.
Taxes and Government Spending
MILLER: Issues: “As former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts would say, “Tax relief is about Freedom.” It is about your freedom to save, spend or invest your own hard-earned money as you see fit. It’s about returning dollars and decisions back home to you and I and our families.
Whenever you and I are given tax relief, we don’t have to work as long to pay the taxman. That means parents, especially single moms and dads, will have more time to spend with their children or to take care of an elderly parent. It also means you and I will have more financial freedom to do the things we want to do…like going to a movie, eating out, taking a vacation or giving to our favorite charity.
Unfortunately, many of our current leaders in Washington believe our money belongs to the government. I disagree. When it comes to correcting the growing shortfall in our federal budget we must do so by decreasing our politicians’ spending, rather than by raising our taxes. You worked hard for your money. You earned it, and it you should be able to keep it.
Taxes are currently one of the largest expenses that a middle class family has to endure and in some cases it is their number one monthly expense. We should not sacrifice our families and require them to spend more time at the job so that they can afford to take care of their basic needs.
SCHURING: Issues: “America's tax system is outdated, confusing and impossible for most Americans to decipher. In fact, it has gotten so complicated that it even confuses the tax experts.
In Congress, Kirk will fight for a simplified tax system that protects families, promotes growth and encourages savings. And he will work with others in Congress to come up with a tax system that is simpler for all Americans.
A leader of tax reform, Kirk Schuring authored the Ohio law that created a study commission to reform Ohio's tax system. In addition, at a time when Kirk felt that tax reform wasn't getting the attention it deserved; he boldly introduced a bill that would close out Ohio's outdated tax code and force it to be replaced by an updated one. Kirk also has tackled the problem of property tax fairness, introducing legislation that would lessen the property tax burden on senior citizens and people with disabilities.
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Kirk Schuring believes that the best way to keep taxes low is to keep spending under control. In the Ohio Legislature, he has fought for performance-based budget allocations, holding agencies accountable for the tax dollars they receive. Budget problems are caused by programs based on conditions that are over 45 years old. . Government is too slow in responding to changing needs and these programs must be adjusted to reflect our modern economy and society.
To that end, Kirk introduced a bill demanding performance standards with measurable outcomes for government funded programs. Programs that under perform would either be reformed or eliminated. In Congress, Kirk will fight to restore the fiscal discipline for which Republicans were once known, and will be a watchdog of the budget, making sure money is wisely allocated and spent only on programs that are necessary and productive, and reflect our nation's current socio-economic needs.
SCHIFFER: Our budget deficit is too high and must be reduced. Unfortunately, even a Republican Congress and Republican President were unable to control spending and reduce the deficit, not only in defense spending which is understandable, but also in discretionary spending. According to the Heritage Foundation, federal discretionary spending has grown between 8% and 13% in each of the last 4 years. Too many Republicans have unfortunately joined forces with tax and spend Democrats, and our budget deficit has ballooned. This is because, in part, many career politicians become beholden to special interests, and because too many moderate and liberal Republicans still support the practice of wasteful earmarks and big government spending.
Further, taxes are too high across the board. Business taxes in the United States are higher than almost every other nation in the world. Personal income taxes should be reduced for all Americans as well. Excessive taxation actually reduces revenue to the federal treasury, as tax cuts at current levels would stimulate increased economic activity and actually increase nominal government receipts, while keeping taxes at lower marginal rates.
Spending discipline and low tax policies are hallmarks of the Republican Party and I vow to support these causes each and every day in Congress.
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Budget deficits, like our trade deficit, are an attack on our children. We are spending money that we have not earned, and we are saddling our children and grandchildren with staggering levels of debt. This is a crisis that must be addressed, and fast. I will work tirelessly to reduce our trade and budget deficits and return basic fiscal sanity to Washington DC. It is our moral duty to pay for our spending. In effect, the staggering levels of U.S. debt held by foreign nations and interests, especially that of Communist China, threaten our very existence as a free and independent nation. We are in effect slaves to debt and slaves to the holder of our debt. This is new in the American experience and must be remedied.
ANALYSIS: We will never get our government back on a fiscally responsible budget if we don't get the tax rates lowered AND control the spending. Schuring clearly articulates this position better than Miller.
Energy
MILLER: Issues: “All throughout the district, families are struggling and businesses are in jeopardy due to the increased energy costs we are experiencing. We must move our nation toward energy independence. It is not only an economic issue, but it is an issue of national security. To compete in the 21st Century we must work to find ways to increase domestic energy supply, and we can continue to do so right here in northeast Ohio. Without pursuing alternative energy sources and investing in new energy-saving technologies, we risk loosing our competitive edge and facing a future with uncertainty.”
SCHURING: Reduce reliance on foreign oil. Look at other
domestic fossil fuels. Do more than just talk about alternative
energy, such as hydrogen fuel cells, hybrid vehicles and ethanol. It's
time to stop talking and time to start doing, he said.
SCHIFFER: I don't see anything on energy issues on Schiffer's site.
ANALYSIS: This one is pretty much a draw in my book...
Jobs
MILLER: Issues: “In today’s changing economy our investment in job training and worker education is critical to putting people back to work, helping workers to stay competitive and for the creation of new jobs. It is imperative that we strive to give workers a hand-up and not just a hand-out. To make that possible we must work with our labor leaders and our businesses leaders to ensure that they have the tools they need to truly compete.
SCHURING: Issues: “Kirk Schuring has been a long standing advocate for improving our economy and creating jobs. In Congress, Kirk will fight for making sure bureaucratic red tape and government mandates do not stifle the entrepreneurial spirit, and that a level playing field is applied for job growth and economic opportunity.
At the statehouse, Kirk authored laws promoting regional cooperation for economic development by creating partnerships between cities and townships. These partnerships have helped businesses grow and also create jobs. Kirk also has been a champion of improving Ohio's education system so it can provide the intellectual resources that will be necessary for Ohio's businesses to compete in the knowledge based global economy.
In Congress Kirk, will advocate for a national economic development plan that will use a multi faceted approach to reach long-term goals. Kirk feels for our nation to effectively compete in the global economy we will have to embark upon a comprehensive plan similar to the one that was used by our country during the space race with the Soviet Union. Kirk feels the global economic race deserves our utmost attention. Kirk is adamant that this is a race we not afford to lose.”
SCHIFFER: A healthy job market is a key component of a healthy economy. According to the Department of Commerce, 72% of our economy (GDP) is accounted for by personal consumption, or consumer spending. When consumers are forced to trade their higher paying manufacturing sector jobs for lower paying service industry jobs, or worse yet when consumers suddenly find themselves unemployed, their ability to spend is decreased dramatically. Since 2001, over 3 million manufacturing jobs have been lost, often due to outsourcing to China, India, Mexico or other nations with preferential trade deals and free trade agreements. Ohio has been one of the states most adversely affected by failed trade policy, and the 16th district has been one of the worst hit areas of the state! In 2006 the trade deficit in the United States exceeded $750 billion. This excessive consumption of foreign products is paid for through transferring ownership of U.S. companies, real estate and assets to foreigners, and through government debt. Today Americans pay over $1 billion per day just in interest payments on government debt.
Adding to the trouble, today consumers are feeling the pinch of adjustable rate and subprime mortgages, and the ability to refinance has virtually vanished for many of them. The increased demand and need for subprime mortgages has been caused in part by job losses, outsourcing, and decreased real wages for workers. Couple this with higher taxes at all levels, local, state and federal, and a potential “perfect storm” which threatens the livelihood and standard of living of every American is created.
We simply must institute common sense trade policy that protects our market, our workers, our self sufficiency and our very sovereignty as a nation. The greatest of Republican Presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and even William McKinley, who served in Congress from Stark County, were great champions of responsible trade policy with an eye toward protecting the United States from unfair dumping of foreign products. Our success as a nation depends upon a return to these policies.
As Congressman I vow that I will introduce bills and tirelessly support the cause of protecting Americans, our market, and our workers from unfair trade. I will work to support government policies that encourage capital investment in all sectors of the economy, which the science of economics has proven is the primary driver of increased real wages and standards of living.
ANALYSIS: Both candidates are pretty strong on this issue. It's a draw.
Education
MILLER: Issues: “We live in the most prosperous nation in the world, and our schools should be second-to-none.
We must provide more flexibility in federal funding and begin returning dollars and decisions back to our parents, teachers, and administrators who personally know and understand our children’s educational needs. Education policy should not be determined by a Washington bureaucrat who has never even met your children, it should be determined by the individuals who are personally involved in your children’s learning and who know your children’s names.
Increased parental involvement is critical to the success of our students. Today, however, more and more families are finding themselves in a situation where both parents must work in order to make ends meet. This situation, brought on by higher taxes both at the state and federal level, means that parents have less time to spend helping their children with their educational needs. This is another reason why tax relief is so important, it allows parents to have the time and resources that are needed to take an active role their children’s development. Increased parental involvement, higher standards, and accountability for results are all essential to improving our education system.”
SCHURING: Issues: “Kirk Schuring believes every child deserves the highest quality education available. In the Ohio Legislature, Kirk was a tireless fighter for accountability, both in public and private education. He believes that all schools supported by taxpayer dollars should be constantly reviewed for meeting performance standards and attaining the highest possible level of student achievement.
Kirk also believes in local control for education, and in Congress he will fight for less federal intrusion into local school decisions while also demanding accountability from those entrusted with the molding of young minds.
At the statehouse, Kirk has proposed a more effective funding method for education, fighting for adequate resources for students to learn. Kirk's plan will shift the burden of funding from property taxes to sales and income taxes, creating a steady and reliable source of money so it can be used to build our intellectual resources and grow our economy."
SCHIFFER: The Federal government has gone too far and is too involved in the education system of the United States. Local school boards and the states are better suited to manage our schools than far off bureaucrats in Washington DC. A good education is essential to the success of the United States and we must allow local school boards the freedom to innovate and implement the policies that best reflect the educational values of their community.
ANALYSIS: I'm not swayed either way by these positions. Another draw...
Healthcare
MILLER: Issues: “Like many in our district, I am also concerned about the rising cost of health care which is threatening our families as well as our global competitiveness. Although there is no easy solution to the many problems plaguing our health care industry, we must work to provide easier access to affordable, quality healthcare. The burdensome mandates placed on providers as well as the excessive lawsuits brought upon our doctors must be addressed. We must work to set sensible limits on non-economic damages to help restrain medical liability premium increases while ensuring compensation for those injured by negligence.”
SCHURING: Supports free enterprise system that uses health savings
plans for example. The only way to ensure quality health care at the lowest prices is to open it to market forces. That means competition and choice. A national health-care plan, like those proposed by Democrats, he said, would have the compassion of the IRS and the efficiency of Homeland Security.
SCHIFFER: We have a health care crisis in the United States today, with millions uninsured and millions more with insurance and prescription costs that they can barely afford. This must be changed. In large part because our workers have been thrust into direct and unfair competition with foreign workers who live in countries where they can live well on only a few thousand dollars a year, pressure on domestic corporations to cut labor costs and benefits is staggering.
Further, frivolous lawsuits from unscrupulous trial attorneys have caused insurance rates for doctors to skyrocket, the price of which trickles down to the health care consumer. Any healthy economic system must provide dependable and affordable health care to all of its citizens. We must work to increase wages and reduce the cost of health care.
ANALYSIS: This is a complex issue and neither candidate overwhelms the other. Another draw.
Agriculture
MILLER: Issues: “Often times farming is overlooked when our leaders are discussing economic development, but agriculture and agriculture-related businesses are one of the most important parts of our region’s economy. The sixteenth congressional district has some of the richest farmland in the state. Our farmers’ commitment to providing a food supply that is safe, reliable and affordable must be supported and encouraged.
Congress is in the process of reviewing the multi-year legislation known as the “farm bill” which lays out important conservation, rural development, research, nutrition and feeding as well as other programs that are essential to our farmers.
Whether it is the farm bill provisions, trade, or technology, I will work to protect the interests of our farmers and their families.”
SCHURING: We are expecting that Team Schuring is still working on getting back to us with a position on this issue and we will publish an update when they do.
SCHIFFER: I do not see any agriculture issues mentioned on the website.
ANALYSIS: SUBJECT TO UPDATE: This one goes to Miller by default.
