Where They Stand …

The issues

Here are the positions of the three candidates for Washington’s 5th Congressional District on selected issues:

JOHN BEAL, AMERICAN HERITAGE

BIGGEST ISSUE: Life. “Everything begins with life, it remains the central issue.”

REGIONAL ADVOCATE: Reduce spending on regional projects, as well as all other projects, to keep more money in the community.

CLINTON: Should resign for the sake of himself, his family and country. Impeachment should go forward to give people confidence in system.

PRIVATE LIVES: Public has right to know because politicians sacrifice private lives when becoming public servants.

HEALTH CARE: Absolutely no guarantee of government health care. Government should guarantee environment that gives people freedom to choose own health care.

SOCIAL SECURITY: End Social Security by turning responsibility of supporting retirees over to individual, family and local charities.

MEDICARE: End program, turning the responsibility for health insurance for elderly over to families and local charities.

ABORTION: Supports constitutional amendment that allows abortion only to save life of mother.

FARM SUBSIDIES: “Wean” farmers from subsidies over generation while opening markets and emphasizing free trade.

PARTY LINE: As member of third party, would primarily work with Republicans but “vote my conscience” on all issues.

SALMON: Federal government has responsibility to study anything regarding management of dams it owns. But he wants government to sell dams to private or regional government entities.

BRAD LYONS, DEMOCRAT

BIGGEST ISSUE: Protecting Social Security.

REGIONAL ADVOCATE: It’s congressman’s responsibility and obligation to represent district and understand its needs. Widen congested I-90 interchanges in Valley and U.S. Hwy. 12 west of Walla Walla.

CLINTON: What Clinton did was wrong but resigning is his decision. Opposes impeachment. Congress should punish him with reprimand and fine and move on.

PRIVATE LIVES: Unless politician makes issue of it, by attacking opponent or citing his or her own values, public doesn’t have right to know. They would if it becomes question of character or hypocrisy.

HEALTH CARE: Can’t guarantee health care without some costs and co-payment to the individual. Should make sure at least minimum standards, such as Washington’s Basic Health Care, are available.

SOCIAL SECURITY: No tax cuts until the budget has a surplus without counting on Social Security Trust Fund. Encourage public dialog on ways to change program. Opposes using portion of current payments for private investments.

MEDICARE: Wants to find savings in health care industry and government bureaucracy before proposing any changes to Medicare.

ABORTION: Opposes any federal statutes regulating abortion.

FARM SUBSIDIES: Lift caps on loan rates, continue loan deficiency payments, add money for multi-year disaster relief and operating loans, increase staff to process loans.

PARTY LOYALTIES: Loyalties should be district first, personal convictions second, party third.

SALMON: Study breaching, but emphasize other ways to restore salmon while leaving dams in place.

GEORGE NETHERCUTT, REPUBLICAN

BIGGEST ISSUE: Protect Social Security, improve education, cut taxes.

REGIONAL ADVOCATE: Balanced budget should benefit region. Says he secured funding for WSU wheat research facility, Fairchild Air Force Base improvements.

CLINTON: President should resign. Reserving judgment on impeachment until Judiciary Committee reviews evidence.

PRIVATE LIVES: Public has right to know about politicians’ private lives. Good character and integrity should be expected; bad character should be exposed.

HEALTH CARE: Opposes national health care. Supports increased choices for consumers.

SOCIAL SECURITY: Portion of budget surplus should be set aside to ensure future of program. Would possibly allow portion of Social Security taxes to create individual savings accounts.

MEDICARE: Supports giving seniors choices in Medicare program to reduce program costs and improve service.

ABORTION: Opposes federal funding of abortion except in cases of rape, incest or to protect life of mother. Opposes partial-birth abortion.

FARM SUBSIDIES: Spend less on subsidies. Reduce price supports, eliminate regulation and keep foreign markets open as farmers make transition toward unregulated business.

PARTY LINE: Was elected to represent people of Eastern Washington, not Republican Party leadership. Voted against GOP leadership to support Legal Services Corp. and oppose 1998 Transportation Bill.

SALMON: Opposes breaching dams to help endangered salmon.

Graphic: Where they stand …