You are reading an ARCHIVED ARTICLE. Wednesday 08th of September 2010 7:26:20 pm
Publication date: June 24 2007
Interview with Jacob Turk, Republican Candidate for Congress (5th District)
In this week’s feature, we focus our attention on the Congressional race in Missouri’s 5th District (the Kansas City/ Jackson County area).
Jacob Turk was the Republican nominee for this seat in 2006 and is making another run for the office in the 2008 election. This is his first interview of the 2008 campaign.
To learn more about Jacob Turk and his campaign, visit www.turkforcongress.com.
Why have you decided to make a second run for Congress?
Turk: "The reason I am running a second time is the same as the first – to elect regular folks to Congress to change politics. No matter the party in power, until we change the kind of person we send to Washington, D.C., our country will continue to have debacles like the latest immigration bill where OUR representatives on both sides of the aisle attempted to step on the will of the people. They were indignant with the folks for demanding Congress do the right thing!
"I have a burning desire to protect those who cannot protect themselves, to see justice done, to put in place public policy which encourages my fellow Americans to do the right thing. America is a great nation and a beacon of hope for the world. We must keep it so."
The war in Iraq is now in its fifth year. How do you assess the results so far and what changes, if any, do you want to see implemented to the management of US military and political efforts?
Turk: "Our military has and continues to perform magnificently.
"We were successful in removing a brutal dictator and terrorist supporter, successful in the rebuilding of an infrastructure decimated by Sadaam, and successful in helping the Iraqis write and implement a constitution and to elect a representative government. The scope of doing so cannot be overstated.
"Security has been a major stumbling block as the civilians in Iraq are the target of heinous tactics by our common enemies. Parts of the country are peaceful, but far too many remain battle zones for the insurgents and foreign fighters killing the innocents. Although progress has been made, we have so far not been successful in developing an Iraqi police and military which can, on their own, protect Iraq from foreign and domestic enemies.
"The surge of US troops was way overdue. This administration miscalculated the resources necessary to secure the country and have been far too slow to move those resources in country. We must win the Iraq War or face an emboldened terrorist enemy – failure is not an option and we must ensure we have the means to do so. Our generals have to find a way to succeed militarily and our diplomats must secure the peace.
"As a Marine veteran, I am concerned with the heavy burden on our military families. Spouses and children have to endure multiple and extended deployments to war zones by their loved ones. This administration failed to recognize the total consequences of 9/11 marking the day we knew the United States was in a global war with terrorists, and that in addition to transforming the military, we needed to immediately begin to increase the number of ground troops, particularly the Marines and Special Forces of all branches. Their lack of anticipation of fighting in multiple campaigns around the globe simultaneously has strained both the active duty military and the National Guard. The time to increase our volunteer forces has long passed. We must put the resources necessary into recruiting the soldiers needed to win the global war with terrorists who mean us harm. It is time to spend the money to recruit the volunteers needed to relieve our overstretched troops and their families."
Considering Iran's continuing efforts to develop nuclear technology; how do you view the recent diplomatic talks between the US and Iran and what approach should the US take in our policies toward than country?
Turk: "I am hopeful the Iranians will see their best interests lie with heeding the world community and giving up their nuclear weapons program. As a realist, I fear that as long as Ahmadinejad is in charge, the prospects for that happening are nil. He has a desire for power over his neighbors and to destroy Israel. He won’t give those goals up willingly.
"If Iran continues on the path to nuclear weaponry, at some point we will have to act militarily. Iran cannot become part of the nuclear weapon club because their leadership is too extreme and lacks the self-preservation gene. We should learn the lessons of Iraq and destroy their ability to create a nuclear weapon without engaging in a prolonged ground war."
Illegal immigration has been called an issue of law and order, an issue of economics, an issue of national security and an issue of morality. How do you view this issue and how should US law address it?
Turk: "It is all of the above.
"The porous southern border MUST be closed, our northern border security beefed up, and our ports secured. For our southern border, I propose the immediate use of the National Guard to back up the Border Patrol, continue to hire the additional Border Patrol agents, and, most importantly, it is time to build the over 800 miles of fencing that was signed into law last year, of which, only a few miles have been completed. The fence needs to be completed in the next few months, not years.
"Securing our border against illegal immigration is the first step to immediately reduce our illegal alien problem. Mo matter what other policy decisions are made after this step is taken, the numbers of illegals in the United States begins to shrink rather than grow. We say loud and clear:
"WE MUST SECURE OUR BORDERS NOW. "
With the price of gasoline now consistently above $3.00 per gallon, what changes to US energy policies, if any, do you want to see enacted?
Turk: "It is time to open up our oil fields to ensure our energy security. It is bad energy policy to allow China to horizontally drill from Cuba to tap into our offshore oil fields; we need to be the ones utilizing our natural resources, not foreign governments.
"At the same time, proven alternate sources of energy such as wind power in Nantucket Sound need to be brought online. Additionally, it is time to follow the lead of countries such as France and build safe, low polluting, electric nuclear reactors to decrease the amount of hydrocarbons released from coal fired plants.
"We put a man on the moon in less than 10 years – it is time to put those kinds of human and monetary efforts behind developing renewable, low polluting forms of energy to power our cars and homes."
The cost and availability of health care is among today's most debated issues. What is the proper role of the federal government concerning health care and what changes to US health care policies, if any, would you work for if elected to Congress?
Turk: "As Americans we enjoy the highest quality health care in the world. However, our health care delivery system is in crisis as we face price increases combined with decreasing access in many areas.
"The solution is straightforward: return the power to the patient for health care spending decisions. This can be done using a combination of HSA's, high deductible policies owned by the consumer, subsidies from the Federal government for the poor to pay the premiums and deductibles on a sliding income scale, and tax incentives to control the currently out-of-control and ever-rising costs of health care."
In addition to these national issues, which issue before Congress do you consider most important to the Fifth District?
Turk: "The issues of our nation are issues for the 5th District of Missouri. Our congressmen craft legislation that affect issues dear to residents in Missouri, such as securing our nation’s borders, protecting innocent life, reducing complexity and cost in accessing health care, supporting parents’ freedom to choose quality education for their children, and defending our nation from terrorists.
"What the 5th District does not need is another career politician representing them in Washington. The folks of the 5th District deserve a voice in Congress that not only understands their day to day lives but also one who will fight for their best interest, not the special interests, and not the self interests that career politicians tend to champion and protect. It is time to do the right thing for the country, and I will. "
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