Kansas decides: U.S. Senate

Recently, the Democrat candidates for U.S. Senate in Kansas were asked a series of three questions.

All of the questions were the same for each candidate. The candidates are Charles Schollenberger, Patrick Wiesner, Lisa Johnston, David Haley and Robert Conroy.

The following are their responses:

1) Why do you believe you are best-qualified to represent Kansas in the U.S.Senate?

Johnston: I am a leader rather than a traditional career politician. I began my career teaching and have served in administrative positions for over a decade.  Not only have I navigated politics and worked through differences to find solutions, but I also have management, budget oversight, and communication skills that will enable me to effectively serve as a U.S. Senator.  Additionally, education must be a top priority.  However, very few U.S. Senators have expertise in education. If elected, I would be the only U.S. Senator with a Ph.D. in education, which would help to strengthen the voice of education in Washington.

Schollenberger: I am not a career politician yet have a lifetime of involvement in Democratic politics and know how to get things done. As a former agricultural reporter for the Hutchinson News and Kansas City Star, I have a working knowledge of our state’s largest industry – agriculture – and want to represent Kansas farmers on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee.

Wiesner: My experience as an attorney and CPA in resolving the tax and debt problems of my clients is unique. I bring, to the Senate, the wisdom of someone directly involved with businesses that cannot pay their payroll taxes and families losing their home to foreclosure. I can write the tax code in simple English so that taxpayers, the government, and the courts know what is required. I intend to bring a permanent end to the estate tax. I am also an Army reserve lawyer and have finished two long tours in Iraq.  No other candidate has this experience.

2) What, in your opinion, is the most pressing issue facing the state/nation?

Johnston: Education and economic issues are both critically important. We must move away from No Child Left Behind and teaching to tests and toward an excellent K-12 educational foundation. We must provide a broad based education that enables students to be successful. We also must strengthen our economy and reduce our national debt. As economic strength returns, businesses will be able to replenish their workforce and create new jobs. Also, U.S. corporations should pay U.S. taxes rather than placing the tax burden only on individuals and small businesses. Many corporations make record profits but pay no U.S. tax. This is wrong.

Schollenberger: Unemployment is the most important issue presently facing our country, with more people out of work over a longer period of than than in many years. We must resolve the unemployment crisis and get people back to work. See my ideas on how to do this at ”Jobs” under “Issues” at my website, www.schollenberger2010.com. One of the ways we can put Kansans back to work is by promoting the wind energy industry in Kansas.

Wiesner: The amount of debt secured by real estate appears to be way more than the value of the houses and office buildings pledged as collateral. Our government has guaranteed much of this debt. In my bankruptcy practice, I have seen a fundamental rethinking of home ownership. People are no longer willing to commit 30 percent of their income for 30 years in order to own a home. They are walking away. As you read this answer, private lenders are legally sticking taxpayers with loan losses by getting Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to guarantee or buy bad mortgages.

3) How do you intend, if elected, to carry out your legislative goals?

Johnston: One of the most important and sacred responsibilities of any elected official is to work for what is best for the people. I am committed to leading with integrity and working passionately on behalf of Kansans. I will support and propose legislation benefiting everyday Kansans and use my skills to make strong, clear arguments for important legislation. Unfortunately, many politicians are focused on political games.  This wastes precious time and, regardless who wins these contests, the people are the ones who lose because the focus has been taken away from finding solutions to pressing problems and moving forward positively.

Schollenberger: I have already listed some of my legislative goals  on my web page, such as a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the creation of  a Great Plains Wind Authority to help promote our state’s wind industry, the creation of a new national park in Kansas, and publicly-funded elections. I want to go to the U.S. Senate as a citizen-legislator who has goals to achieve and then gets out of Washington after having achieved them.

Wiesner: I am not hobbled by promises to lobbyists and government contractors.  I intend to amend procedure in the Senate so that no one can vote on legislation until they certify under oath that they have read the text and understand its contents. This will halt the practice of lobbyists drafting the language of proposed legislation and getting it inserted into the bill before others have a chance to read it. Another procedural change I will advocate is if a private company is seeking a cash or regulatory subsidy, their chief executive must testify and explain why they need government help.

Note: Robert Conroy and David Haley did not provide a response.