Answers from four men who would like to be your next congressman

Six men face off in the Republican primary for the privilege of running against Democrat incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Himes in the Fourth District. In alphabetical order, they are state Sen. Dan Debicella, Oxford grad Will Gregory, Easton First Selectman and most recent newcomer to the race Thomas Herrmann, finance executive Rob Merkle, former state Sen. Rob Russo, and former Bridgeport RTC Chair Rick Torres. 


This interview is based on questions submitted by you, the Weekly readers (identified below, if you gave permission), along with some of our own. Are Republicans attempting to appeal more to neoconservatives looking to use government to fight foreign wars and legislate individual morality? Or are they trying to attract the Ron Paul Republicans, recent party members looking to drastically limit the role of government? Or are they simply trying to present an alternative to the prevailing administration, much as Democrats did before them? This interview provides a glimpse.
Debicella chose not to respond to any of the questions. His campaign says that is not a sign that he is considering dropping out of the race. We tried to get answers from Herrmann, who announced his candidacy last week, when this story was well underway, but he apparently didn’t have time to get back to us.



1. If you are looking at a bill that does only one thing — abolish the IRS and all federal income, payroll, corporate, and other taxes, effective as of X years from today — what must X be, such that you would support it? Zero means you would support it immediately. Infinity means you would never support it, even for 10, 20 or 50 years from now.


Will Gregory: Abolishing taxes is certainly an attractive promise, but that promise only functions when you also abolish unnecessary government. I would support bills that lower taxes and encourage fiscal responsibility with the revenue we do raise, using it wisely for national defense and development of infrastructure.


Rob Merkle: While the present tax system is flawed, I would not support a bill to abolish anything until I knew what the proposed alternative was. I am in favor of a flat tax, whether that is on production, income or consumption — tax it once and equally.


Rob Russo: I am committed to cutting taxes, and we also need to simplify the tax code so that it is both simpler and fairer. Simultaneously, we must reduce spending. Government has become too big and too intrusive.


Rick Torres: Government is necessary to secure our inalienable rights. … [T]axes are a necessary evil to fund government — but [an] evil nevertheless. We must use every opportunity to shrink federal government back to its limited powers enumerated in the Constitution and reduce federal taxes accordingly.
 


2. Of the bills that you know about that have been voted into law, can you think of one that you thought was good for America, and good for our district, that you would have wanted to support, but could not because it violated the Constitution?


Will Gregory: A policy in violation of the Constitution can’t be good for America, because at our core we are a nation of laws. If the Constitution needs to be changed, the people can change it by amendment. Running roughshod over the Constitution is unacceptable.


Rob Merkle: Nothing specific comes to mind, though I am opposed to earmarks of any kind.


Rob Russo: When I am in Congress, the Constitution will be the guide for which I evaluate all pieces of legislation.


Rick Torres: The Patriot Act, except I would support it. In the words of Abraham Lincoln (echoing Thomas Jefferson’s sentiment), the Constitution is not a suicide pact.
 


3. Do you support term limits for members of the House of Representatives and for members of the Senate also? Why or why not?
Question courtesy of Michael T.


Will Gregory: Absolutely. The framers of our constitution intended Congress to be a citizen legislature, not a playpen for career politicians. We need to establish checks and balances on Washington. That is why I launched my Congressional Reform Plan last month.


Rob Merkle: Absolutely in favor of term limits for both. Career politicians lose touch with their districts, and it becomes about keeping their job. It is supposed to be about service, not power.


Rob Russo: Serving in Congress was never meant to be a career. The founding fathers believed that representatives would serve for a few years, do the work of the people and then return to their jobs and homes. Congress should be full of citizen legislators that actually represent the people. Career politicians have made a mess of things and its time we bring real change to Washington, D.C. I am happy to support term limits of five terms for the House and three terms for the Senate.


Rick Torres: Yes, the founders advocated term limits. Our first framing document, the Articles of Confederation, contained term limits explicitly.
 


4. Would you vote to end the Federal Reserve and allow competing currencies and banks?


Will Gregory: (no response)


Rob Merkle: We have a currency already, but I would vote for allowing the free markets to determine interest rates and money supply. We can start with auditing the Fed.


Rob Russo: No.


Rick Torres: The Constitution is clear on power of Congress to “coin money, regulate value thereof.” I advocate a single mandate for the Federal Reserve: zero inflation of the dollar.
 


5. Why have Republicans made no real attempt to repeal any of the fascist and socialist legislation passed since the New Deal and the “Progressive Era?” Would you vote to repeal them?
Question courtesy of Carl V.


Will Gregory: As a nation, we need to get back to our core principles of individual liberty, freedom of enterprise and limited government. I will support legislation that promotes these ideals and, if necessary, fight to repeal legislation that erodes them.


Rob Merkle: Many programs need to be looked at and dramatically altered or eliminated [because] there is either no constitutional basis for the federal government to be involved, they are financially unsustainable or both.


Rob Russo: I believe in limited government, individual rights and personal freedoms. I would vote against any attempt to step outside of those ideals and I would support a repeal of any legislation that has already breached them. We must identify federal laws that are broken and either fix them or get rid of them.


Rick Torres: Government is quick to point out wonderful things it does for us, forgetting that they are done at our expense. I will work to leave as much money in people’s pockets as possible, without undermining government’s responsibilities as outlined in the constitution. I will roll back big government.



6. Should all drugs be legalized?


Will Gregory: No. While arguments can be made that certain substances should be legalized on the grounds of self-determination (where the consequences of its effects are internalized), others, such as PCP, prevent individuals from making decisions for themselves and place those around them at risk. 


Rob Merkle: No.


Rob Russo: No.


Rick Torres: No. But some drugs, like marijuana, should be legalized and regulated by separate states, just like alcohol is.



7. Should we bring all our troops home, or should we police the world?


Will Gregory: This question implies a false choice. Closing down our overseas bases would destabilize several regions while placing the U.S. and our allies at risk. That said, it is not the job of America to intervene in every conflict. Ultimately, we should walk softly and carry a big stick.


Rob Merkle: Not a simple question. I believe the world is a safer place with a strong America — look at the fall of the USSR — but we can’t afford nation-building. The price in terms of American lives and financial capital is just too high.


Rob Russo: America’s safety must always remain our top priority. The Christmas Day “underwear bomber” is a reminder to us that there are people actively trying to harm us. America is fighting an unconventional war against an unconventional enemy. We must remain strong in the face of adversity and united in our determination to defend liberty and freedom around the world.


Rick Torres: National defense is the prime responsibility of the federal government. We must defeat those who try to kill us and be able to bring the fight to them, anywhere in the world, but that does not mean we should police it.



8. Feel free to say anything else you want here, to expand on earlier answers or even bring up new issues.


Will Gregory: (no response)


Rob Merkle: We as Americans and citizens of Connecticut need to realize that Government is not the answer to all our problems. A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have. If you cut government, spending and taxes, there will be more money locally to spur investment, grow private enterprise and create jobs. Then, everyone wins.


Rob Russo: The health care plan the president proposed would cost $2.5 trillion dollars, cut Medicare, give government oversight on personal health care decisions, increase taxes, impose job-killing mandates and raise the price of premiums on many Connecticut families and businesses. This is a bad bill. It’s no wonder that recent polls show that Congress’s approval rating is 10 percent.


Rick Torres: Government grows and expands at the expense of our wallets and liberties. Restore liberty and prosperity by shrinking the government back to the original constitutionally enumerated powers.

Questions or comments? Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Share this story:
Facebook |Twitter |Digg |Reddit |Stumbleupon

Comments

Add New Search

Amanda Bloom  - Rick Torres for Congress     |2010-03-30 10:32:14 The Mercurial endorses Rick Torres for Congress! He is a true advocate for the people. We are based in the 5th district so we can't give him our vote, but he does have our support. Good luck Rick! The Mercurial.com - Progress, Creativity & Connectivity. Reply 1   1

ccdemuth  - Not to mention the frontrunner   |2010-05-18 16:15:37 http://www.debicella.com/2-about.html Reply 0   0

ccdeTRUTH  - debicella is a RINO   |2010-06-19 10:39:30 a liberal Republican is not needed. debicella will raise taxes just like the Dems. Reply 0   0

Write comment
Name:
Email:	do not notifynotify
Website:
Title:
	Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."