Congressional candidates square off

BY SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

GAYLORD -- Four of the five Second District Congressional candidates turned out for a debate Sunday afternoon at the Gaylord City Hall.

Incumbent Rep. David Minge, a Democrat; Republican challenger Mark Kennedy; Independent candidate Gerald Brekke; and Libertarian candidate Ron Helwig addressed issues in a question-and-answer discussion.

Minge, who is also an attorney, has served the Second Congressional District since 1993 and lives in Montevideo. Kennedy, a businessman, is from Watertown. Brekke, a retired professor, lives in St. Peter. Helwig, a computer consultant, lives in Shakopee.

Why do you would want to serve in Congress?

Minge: "Our campaign is very important to this region. There is a significant difference between the candidates. The four areas I'm concerned about are farming, health care, education and budget. Farmers ought to receive a fair price for what they produce, and I think we need to change this. For health care we have providers that can't afford to pay their staffs."

Brekke: "I'm a retired professor from Gustavus Adolphus, a farmer and a World War II Veteran. I agree about doing something with the farm program ... have a minimum incomes policy for farmers."

Helwig: "I want to be free -- in order for me to be free, you have to be free as well. I'm a vet. I served four years in the Army, with two of those years in Germany. As a small government candidate, I prefer small responses."

Kennedy: "People tell me I have a good name for government ... I love rural Minnesota, and I'll fight passionately for it. We have to remember the little guy. I want to let you keep more money in your pocket. I feel it's important to be true to yourself. With me what you see is what you get."

What do you think of Medicare?

Minge: I think we ought to expand the Medicare program. I believe very strongly having the choice of a healthcare provider. I would hope others would join me in bettering health care for this country."

Brekke: "We've seen people living longer ... for the average man it's 73 years old and for the average woman it's 78. No one should be able to retire until 65 and then people should be able to get full benefits at age 70. I support the MinnesotaCare program."

Helwig: Medicare is not only unconstitutional but it's immoral. It raises the cost of health care. When a bureaucrat takes care of your health care for you, they work within a budget. The best thing to do is eliminate it all together. I support creating a free market in health care."

Kennedy: "I think we should reform Medicare. We can give more people more choice and more control instead of Washington, D.C. We need to look at health-care choices and let individuals have more choices. I do support a prescription drug care program and I do support free import of prescription drugs."

What role should the local government play in education?

Minge: "I served on the school board in Montevideo. The State of Minnesota is really a master school board. I support every one of the initiatives of the National School Board Association."

Brekke: "I served on the school board for nine years. The problem is always money. There is something we need to recall -- the 10th amendment to the Constitution -- that education is the responsibility of the state. The federal government shows interest in education, but it's the states' responsibility."

Helwig: "The federal government has no right to be involved in education at all. The purpose of education is for the children to grow up to be whatever they want to be."

Kennedy: "I'm for moving dollars and decisions back to the classroom. I am for putting the power back in the individual. I want to spend those dollars for the classroom."

The debate was moderated by Sibley County Economic Development Coordinator Steven Renquist. Members of the League of Women Voters of New Ulm were present to answer any questions following the debate.

This debate was videotaped and is available for public reviewal through the Sibley County Library system.