Tim Bridgewater's responses to the Morning News questionnaire

Republican 2nd Congressional District candidate Tim Bridgewater's responses to the Deseret Morning News questionnaire:

1. What is the major issue facing Utah today and how would you deal with it?

Erosion of the economic and moral strength of our communities is the issue most troubling to our nation's lasting prosperity. America has been built on a sound economic and traditional values platform.

Economically we must free the entrepreneurs to succeed in this country and build wealth here by (a) eliminating the onerous tax system and replacing it with a national sales tax or fair flat tax (including charitable and home mortgage deductions), (b) repairing a broken medical system, (c) lowering the government regulatory burdens and (d) cutting capital gains taxes to zero if profits are reinvested in American industry.

Morally, we must view public policy from a family oriented perspective, recognizing that the traditional family and accompanying values have provided Americans with a stable economic and social structure of stability. I will fight against further erosion of these fundamental strengths in order to shore up our communities to create jobs and a stable structure ensuring lasting prosperity.

2. Do you favor or oppose a U.S. constitutional amendment that would define marriage between a man and a woman? If yes, why? If no, why?

Yes, I would vote in favor of this amendment. As referenced in No. 1 above, the fabric of our nation is unravelling. Utah values are under attack in America, and a congressman that can articulate why this particular issue among other family issues not only undermines the social structure but also adversely impacts the economic strength of our country is needed in the halls of Washington.

3. Do you favor or oppose allowing U.S. citizens to buy prescription drugs from other countries, like Canada. If not, what can be done to quickly reduce the cost of prescription medicines in the United States?

I favor allowing U.S. citizens to buy legal prescription drugs outside of the U.S.

4. How much longer should U.S. troops be in Iraq?

The current plan will require a U.S. presence for the next two years, assuming the Iraqi government does not want the U.S. to leave sooner.

At this time, do you favor or oppose spending as much money as President Bush requests on the Iraqi war?

I favor spending the amount needed to support our troops. This amount should be generated from the military leaders in conjunction with fulfilling the mission and approved by the president and Congress.

5. Do you favor or oppose the United States remaining a member of the United Nations?

Today's world doesn't need yesterday's solutions. I have been repeatedly disappointed with the actions/implementation of the United Nations' many social and international programs ranging from UNESCO to CEDAW. In addition, the corruption surrounding the Iraqi Oil for Food program is troubling in terms of the management ethics of this multinational organization. Except for the U.S. seat on the U.N. Security Council, I see very little reason to continue supporting the United Nations, and I believe Congress should begin debate on replacing this antiquated organization with something more appropriate to our times, our values and the international relations which will require a more transparent and efficient form of international cooperation.

6. As gasoline prices continue to rise in the U.S., do you favor or oppose releasing some of the federal government's huge oil reserves in an attempt to drive down gas prices?

Releasing the reserves will make very little if any difference in the price of gas. We must be willing to drill for oil and gas in our own country in order to become less dependent on foreign oil. A balanced utilization of our natural resources will help alleviate the high price for gasoline and provide economic wealth and jobs in this country. I will support scientifically based management plans for utilizing our natural resources including renewable resources such as timber and water.

7. The U.S. is now running huge budget deficits. How would you deal with this problem? Do you favor or oppose making the Bush tax cuts permanent? If so, how do you reconcile giving more tax cuts as the deficit just grows larger?

I am a small businessman and have been working in this arena since leaving the Reagan administration in 1988. My opponent is an attorney, and like many non-businessmen in Congress, he does not understand the importance of immediately cutting spending whenever revenues decline. Across-the-board spending cuts of 2-3 percent would immediately rectify a large portion of the deficit and create some spending discipline which is missing in Washington, D.C., currently. At the end of every budget cycle, our government asks the departments to spend all they have left in the coffers so they can have the same or an increase in the budget the following year. That is not how I run my business nor you your checkbook, and so we must stop the wasteful spending habits in our government today. America was not set up as a life-support system for the government, and by reducing the tax burden on our citizens, we will eventually force spending discipline, and I will vote to ensure a more businesslike approach to managing our nation's budget.