With congressional primaries approaching on June 3, residents of California’s First District will have the opportunity to choose who they want to represent them in the House of Representatives in Washington D.C.

It could be Democrat Mike Thompson, the area’s current congressman who has held office consecutively going on ten years, or it could be time for a new face.

Maybe Democrat Mitch Clogg, a public interest journalist, or Green Carol Wolman, a psychiatrist. Or, in the battle of Republican vs. Republican, could it be businessman Zane Starkewolf or attorney Douglass Pharr?

Time is quickly approaching for parties to choose which candidate will represent them in next year’s new Presidential Administration.

The Eureka Reporter asked each of the five candidates three questions to see about their views on the war in Iraq, the economy and about issues on the North Coast to help voters in deciding who will best represent them in the November elections.

MIKE THOMPSON

Mike Thompson has been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1999. From 1991-98, Thompson served as a California state senator. Prior to that, Thompson worked as a maintenance supervisor for Beringer Winery. From 1969-73, Thompson was a staff sergeant/platoon leader in the 173rd Airborne Brigade and instructor at the Airborne School, United States Army. Thompson received an MPA in public administration from California State University, Chico in 1996, and a bachelor’s degree in public administration with a minor in economics from CSU Chico in 1982.

What is your feeling about the war in Iraq?

“I’ve been against the war since before it began and voted against it in 2002. Our troops have done an excellent job, but they should not be stuck in the middle of a civil war. I’ve introduced several bills to begin redeployment of our troops out of Iraq, including one that passed through Congress, but was vetoed by the president. I’ve also introduced legislation that would require the president to implement an international diplomatic strategy for containing and quelling the violence in Iraq.

“I’ve visited Iraq three times since 2002, and each time, the conditions are more dangerous and dilapidated. We must change our strategy and get our troops home as quickly and safely as possible. By doing so, we can put more focus on our problems at home, while also devoting additional resources to fighting terrorism worldwide and enhancing national security.”

In our economy, do you think we’re in, or heading for, a recession and why?

“Yes, I believe we are in a recession or heading towards one. But, whether it’s a recession or not, working families and seniors are having an increasingly hard time affording food, health care, energy and education. Local businesses are being hit equally hard. For example, the downturn in the housing market has had a disastrous impact on the timber industry and the high cost of fuel impacts shipping local products to the market place.

“Much of our economic problems are owed to the Bush Administration’s failed fiscal policies and ongoing war in Iraq. Rather than spending $400 million each day in Iraq, we should invest in our own economy and increase Americans’ access to health care, education and economic opportunity. While I don’t support a no-strings-attached bailout for lenders and borrowers, I do believe we need to help those facing foreclosure and unemployment and we need to improve regulation of financial markets so the next market failure is caught before it escalates. We must also help Americans break the cycle of debt and improve personal savings.”

What do you think are the two most important projects for the First District?

“I’m currently working on dozens of critical projects throughout our large and diverse district, from improving hospitals to aiding veterans to increasing access to quality education. One of these projects is the restoration of the Klamath River. Working toward a solution for the Klamath’s declining salmon population, I helped secure restoration funds and $60.4 million in aid for California and Oregon fishermen and related businesses for the 2006 fish failure. I’m working to get additional relief for this year’s salmon crisis.

“I’m also concerned about our district’s aging infrastructure, especially our levees and ports. For example, a levee break in West Sacramento would not only cut off two-thirds of California’s drinking water supply, it would flood homes and businesses, endangering the lives and livelihoods of tens of thousands of our neighbors. I’ve been working to improve water infrastructure from Humboldt Bay to the Redwood Creek Levee in Orick to Crescent City Harbor to Fort Bragg’s port to the Napa Flood Project and the Sacramento Region. Supporting these infrastructure projects is critical to the well-being of our local residents and economies.”

ZANE STARKEWOLF

Zane Starkewolf said his interest in running for political office spawned out of dealing with the health care system and said more can be done to respond to issues within the First District. He runs Mesolytics, a medical diagnostic start-up company, and previously worked within the wine industry.

What is your feeling about the war in Iraq?

“U.S. soldiers and the American people have achieved an amazing victory for freedom. Saddam Hussein was a tyrannical dictator that needed to be removed. We have achieved our objective and provided funding and support to rebuild the Iraqi government. However, due to the rapid decrease (in) value of the U.S. dollar and critical needs in the U.S. infrastructure, we can no longer continue costly large-scale operations in Iraq. A timely and safe withdrawal of troops should begin immediately. The United States does not need 100,000 troops in Iraq to capture a few hundred al-Qaida terrorists. This is a job better suited for tactical Special Forces operations that are both more effective in Iraq and more affordable for the U.S. taxpayer. We have given the Iraqi people billions upon billions of dollars to rebuild their government and paid countless death benefits to victim’s families. It is now up to the Iraqi people to take control and govern themselves. The U.S. needs to increase support for small-scale tactical operations in both Afghanistan and other countries to remove hardliner fundamentalist Islamic terrorists.”

In our economy, do you think we’re in, or heading for, a recession and why?

“We are currently not in a recession by the technical definition of the word. However, with soaring fuel prices, the burst of the housing bubble, predatory loan scandal, and the rapid decline of the U.S. dollar’s value, the U.S. economy is certainly heading in the direction of a recession. The key, however, is to not make short-term economic stimulus gains that will only temporarily boost economic growth indicators. The popular economic stimulus package is short-sighted solution voted for by politicians, such as Mike Thompson, during an election year. The plan to borrow $150 billion dollars from Chinese investors, so that each American can spend $600 buying lead-containing Chinese toys and products, does not boost the U.S. economy. This is a $150-billion-dollar debt that our own children will have to repay. The United States needs long-term economic planning such as tax incentives for corporations and individuals. Tax incentives are need(ed) for insourcing jobs, so that U.S. jobs are not sent to India and China, and for alternative fuels, to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The American people are extremely resilient and have strong initiative; we can bounce back from this economic downturn, but not with short-sighted politicians in office.”

What do you think are the two most important projects for the First District?

“The First District of California is (a) challenging district for any representative, due to its large geographic region and vastly different market sectors. While many issues affect this district two critical ones are the Trinity River and Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, and the need for affordable labor supply for the agricultural industry.

“The unprecedented water usage agreement between Indian tribes, farmers, fishermen, conservation groups and government agencies is a great achievement. Government funding for Trinity River restoration is a great first step. However, this just touches the edge of what is needed in terms of the billions of dollars need in financial support and including PacifiCorp (Pacific Power) in the Klamath Basin agreement. The energy needs need to be met and the more government support needs to be provided for this project.

“In terms of agricultural labor supply, a guest worker program needs to be enacted such that farmers can continue production and provide food at reasonable prices for consumers in the first district. A guest worker program would provide taxation of Mexican migrant workers to fund increased border security and pay for the program administration. If Mexican migrant workers have a safe and secure way of crossing the border for temporary work, it will decrease the need for illegal border crossings. This is a great first step towards dealing with illegal immigration while maintaining the agricultural labor supply.”

DOUGLASS PHARR

Douglass Pharr currently works as an attorney and serves as the John McCain campaign chairperson for Napa County. Pharr’s involvement in the McCain campaign led to his interest in running for office. From 1985-89, Pharr served in the Marine Corps as an intelligence specialist focusing on Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. Prior to that, Pharr was in enrolled in the United States Marine Reserve. Pharr earned his bachelor’s degree at night school while in the Marine Corps before attending law school.

What is your feeling about the war in Iraq?

“As a lawyer, I know our general legal principles have developed over a thousand years, and they reflect long-standing principles about right and wrong. Under general legal principles, we have no obligation to help someone we see who is in trouble. But if we do insert ourselves and then make things worse, we have an obligation to make things right. Serious strategic mistakes were made by the Bush Administration following the fall of the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein. But John McCain has been right about Iraq all along. He has been arguing for more troops since 2003. Finally, after years of missed opportunities, new leadership and increased troops have created the security conditions to allow democracy to grow.”

“Iraqi Sunni’s and Shia’s are working together. Political progress is being made. Al-Qaida in Iraq is on the run. While they can still launch terrorist attacks, they are no longer a force vying for power within that country. The last struggle is with Iranian-backed militias. And the Shia-led government of Iraq is now taking them on.”

“Surrendering in Iraq is morally wrong, and it is incredibly dangerous to our national security. If we leave Iraq before they are ready to stand on their own, we are simply handing that nation over to Iran, and encouraging and emboldening the terrorists. The president of Iran wants to create a world where there is no United States or Israel. Is that the person we want to see controlling a vitally important region of the world?”

“Ignoring the progress of the last year makes no sense. I support McCain’s strategy to set things right and give this emerging democracy a chance. We promised the Iraqi people that we would help them and not abandon them even if things got rough. We need to keep that promise.”

In our economy, do you think we’re in, or heading for, a recession and why?

“Regardless of the label used, our economy is shaky. The housing bubble’s meltdown and high gas prices are obviously the problem. But the real threat to the economy that could push us over into dire economic distress is higher taxes. During times of economic trouble, raising taxes has always harmed the economy and reduced revenues anyway. We cannot tax our way out of the current economic situation. But what is most dangerous is the high level of leverage, i.e. debt in the economy. If higher taxes drive down the economy, the result could be extremely bad. That is why it is critical that we keep taxes where they are now or reduce them.”

What do you think are the two most important projects for the First District?

“A. I want to see significant incentives to support and create clean energy and energy independence. There is no single source of energy that will replace foreign oil in the short term. But our district contains a large number of bright and innovative people. We should take a leadership role on creating new sources of clean energy. Wave energy, wind power, and biofuels from waste products are all areas that we should become leaders.”

“B. I want to see our educational system improve. We can develop teacher approved incentives for teachers to work together, to help each other, their students, and their schools to succeed. It has been successfully done elsewhere. There is no reason why we can’t do it here.”

MITCH CLOGG

Mitch Clogg has been a freelance writer for a slew of newspapers and magazines across the country and has worked at the California Department of Health inspecting nursing homes, has worked in construction and as a welfare case driver. Although he has served many jobs throughout his life, including a stint in the U.S. Army, Clogg said that journalism is the one thread that has continued in his life since he was a child.

What is your feeling about the war in Iraq?

"Quit maiming and killing young Americans. Get out the same way we got in, except go the other way. That's the only way wars end. Stop voting to spend working people's wages to pay for it, as Congress has done and is poised to do again. We're sunk in debt. The war is killing our economy and our chances to end this recession. It's a process I've watched all my life. My feeling about the war?: Stop it right now. The end of violence is always messy, but wars are never over too soon, never."

In our economy, do you think we’re in, or heading for, a recession and why?

"We're in a nasty slump. The safeguards we've established to protect ourselves from financial train wrecks have been weakened over the years, and we're losing our homes and jobs, our economic balance and our world dominance because of it. Still, if we spend the money at home that we're wasting on a terrible and ruinous war, more than half a trillion dollars so far, we'll end the recession and revive our economy. I've studied war and economics. This is totally basic stuff. No intelligent person will dispute it."

What do you think are the two most important projects for the First District?

"This First District, from Oregon to San Francisco Bay, is one of the world's near-paradises, so richly endowed with natural resources. Trees are still growing; fish are still reproducing. Project One: Fix the forests and fisheries. It's not rocket science. We will harvest them smartly, next time around. Project Two: Let's add another layer of inspiration and work. I'll get federal funding for alternative energy development. We have the talent, the natural power—sea, sun, wind, water power, geothermal energy and mountains of biofuel-producing agricultural by-products, now being wasted. We can provide ourselves with cheap, clean and abundant energy and lead the world into a thrilling escape from hard times. We've seen it happen when inspired people take charge. This is the time and place. Let's do it! Jobs and prosperity will come to all of us."

CAROL WOLMAN

Politically active peace activist since a teen, Carol Wolman has been a Washington D.C. lobbyist and formed the West Coast Chapter of Physicians with Social Responsibility. She also formed a public awareness campaign called “Impeach Bush/Cheney.” She said she is running for Congress to hold Bush and Cheney accountable for the “crimes” they have committed and can be exposed before they leave office.

What is your feeling about the war in Iraq?

“I’ve been against it from the beginning. We have no business meddling in the internal affairs of another country. A lot of lies were told to convince Congress to give permission to enter Iraq. Nevertheless, Congress allows it to happen. They can’t get it together to cut the funding and it’s kind of baffling. It’s a disaster anyway you look at it — it’s ruined our reputation and bankrupted us and our soldiers are getting killed. It’s just horrible and the sooner we stop it, the sooner our country will be healed.”

In our economy, do you think we’re in, or heading for, a recession and why?

“It depends who you talk to. If you talk to (people in the) stock market, it’s fine, but if you talk to homeowners, we’re in recession. Credit is drying up. I call it a recession.

The No. 1 reason is the tax cuts for the rich that allow people to become super wealthy and the money is not available for infrastructure and health care. The national budget has to be put back in balance so there is more money being put in the treasury. Corporations should be taxed fairly. We should start relying on diplomacy again. We should take the money to use in the economy for something sustainable, not being reliant on the war machine for jobs.

The recession is hurting the little guy a lot. I am for a freeze on foreclosures for homeowners and small business people. Whatever loans they have, it should be restructured with no penalties and minimal interest. They should sit tight and let people get back on their feet. Consumers are maxed out on credit cards, everyone is in debt. We’ve all become debt slaves. It’s a deep problem at this point. The first thing that has to happen is the government has to get back in the control of we, the people. “

What do you think are the two most important projects for the First District?

“Saying projects already slants the question because it implies Government.

We need restructuring, more local control and more money in local community and it needs a change on the federal level. Why local people send somebody to Congress is so national policy will help the local economy.

The second thing would be to look at the district as an entity and think about how to plan for long term future in a way that is sustainable. Looking at ecological problems and restore the economic base — which is forestry and fishing. At the same time, look at development in terms of increasing population and transportation. Are their ways to connect people that are cheaper? The planning needs to happen.

My priority would be to have the national government work to preserve, protect and help the environment. To be shifting the economy to more sustainable modes with green energy and green building techniques The future is green. Vote Green.”