SOCIAL SECURITY DOMINATES FORUM

Short answers. That's what you get from Libertarian congressional candidate John Hendricks.

The Jackson man delivered his less-government-is-better message in short answers to questions posed at an 8th District congressional candidates' forum Wednesday morning.

Hendricks wants to eliminate Social Security, Medicare, farm subsidies and the federal income tax.

Democratic candidate Tony Heckemeyer of Sikeston and Republican congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson also voiced their views at the forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri.

Emerson couldn't attend the forum because Congress was still in session. She participated via speaker phone from Washington.

About 30 people attended the forum at Southeast Missouri State University's Dempster Hall.

The forum lasted an hour and a half. Emerson had to leave about 10 minutes before the end of the forum to deal with House business. As a result, the candidates gave their closing remarks early. Heckemeyer and Hendricks then answered a few more questions.

"If you like lots of government, don't waste your vote on me," Hendricks said.

Heckemeyer stressed his Southeast Missouri roots and his desire to serve the people in the district. "I have a past, present and a future in this district," he said.

Emerson said she would continue "to fight for southern Missouri and our way of life" if re-elected to Congress.

The future of Social Security and Medicare were among issues that dominated discussion. Both Emerson and Heckemeyer said they want to put the money from the budget surplus into the Social Security trust fund.

Heckemeyer said Social Security money should be put in a trust removed from the regular federal budget.

Hendricks wants to phase out the Social Security system within 25 years.

Emerson and Heckemeyer want to improve the existing Medicare system of health care while Hendricks wants to eliminate it.

Hendricks said government health-care programs like Medicare and Medicaid have driven up the cost of medical care. Government should get out of the health-care business, he said.

On the abortion issue, Heckemeyer and Hendricks agreed that it should be a states'-right issue.

But Emerson said the federal government stepped into the picture when it legalized abortions. She voiced support for a constitutional amendment to ban abortions. "We have a moral obligation to protect the unborn."

Both Emerson and Heckemeyer said the government needs to change some of its agriculture policies.

Heckemeyer criticized the current farm bill, approved two years ago by Congress. He said it takes away the production controls and farm loans needed to help farmers get a price for their crops and livestock.

It is hard for American farmers to compete internationally when other countries are heavily subsidizing agriculture, he said.

China, for example, is the largest cotton producer in the world, and its government owns the land, Heckemeyer said.

Emerson agreed that farmers need a government safety net and a level playing field when it comes to exports.

The federal crop insurance program needs to be revamped to make it affordable for farmers, she said.

Hendricks said farming is a tough business. But he said government shouldn't be providing loans and subsidies to farmers.

Both Emerson and Heckemeyer decried the current system of big-money campaigns.

Emerson said Congress needs to ban the use of so-called soft money, which is money spent by independent groups in behalf of candidates.

She also said any campaign-finance reform should include tighter financial disclosure rules regarding spending by independent advocacy groups.

But Emerson opposed a campaign finance bill that she said would have prevented independent groups such as the National Rifle Association from expressing its views about candidates.

Such a measure, she said, would have been unconstitutional.

Heckemeyer said big spending in political campaigns is wrong. "It stinks. It is rotten. You buy these offices," he said.

Heckemeyer suggested candidates should be limited to receiving campaign contributions from groups and individuals in their own states. He also suggested a spending cap of $250,000 for congressional candidates.