by Jacqui Streety, editor-in-chief

Healthcare and prescription drugs, the needs of retirees and young people, taxes, water conservation in West Texas, as well as foreign policy were among the topics discussed at the first 19th Congressional District Debate on Oct. 12, at Tech's Allen Theater.

When it comes to reducing healthcare and prescription drug costs the candidates took opposing stances. Republican representative, Congressman Randy Neugebaur, platforms competition between pharmaceutical companies and placing caps on the benefits people receive in an effort to help with access to drugs. He says that "rather than treating a senior citizen for a heart attack, they should be treated for high blood pressure." A stance of preventative measures had his Republican supporters nodding in agreement.

Congressman Charlie Stenholm, Democrat, took a different approach. He asked why it was necessary to prohibit negotiating the best prices for drug consumers. "We should use our powers to negotiate," Stenholm said. "Neugebaur voted against this."

When asked what their top priorities would be as the representative of the 19th District, Neugebaur said that the people of West Texas would be his number one main concern. He has proposed $2.8 million disaster bill and a crop insurance program, as well as a bill that will secure the funds for research at TTU. Stenholm said his priorities centered around National and Homeland Security, as well as energy policies. He also mentioned education as an important part of his agenda, mentioning Head Start specifically.

The debate became a bit heated when Stenholm mentioned the $2.8 million farm bill that Neugebaur introduced as he informed the voters that that same bill would also take $3 billion out of the base line of the fund. Stenholm says that farming is much more than just a subsidies issue-it's a nutrition issue, and as it has to be ensured that the consumers can purchase affordably while the farmers still make enough to stay in business.

Healthcare was among the most important issues debated between the two candidates, as well as finding means to solve the healthcare crisis at hand. Neugebauer's principle for alleviating the rising cost of health care was to make competition between medical providers and pharmaceutical companies readily available. Among supplemental things needed to improve the healthcare dilemma, Neugebaur also mentioned a savings account, which is tax deductible as well as tax incentives for businesses to employees.

Stenholm, who is among the founders of the Rural Healthcare Coalition, chastised Neugebaur's approach. He reprimanded the Republican representative for his vote on a bill that cut one trillion dollars from Medicare/Medicaid and children's health programs.
Of the healthcare crisis, Stenholm said, "No one should expect anything for free."
The candidates were asked for their view of how to balance the needs of retirees with those of the young people. Neugebaur stated that he is against cutting benefits and raising taxes, adding, "Social Security is not a retirement system because at the end of the year, you don't know how much is in your account."

Rather than responding directly, Stenholm referred the voters to the official website of his campaign. He says that he began working on a plan to fix the Social Security problem almost nine years ago and stood firmly in his opinion that "changes have to occur." He said that Congress needs to work to fix the Social Security program for the young people, however, Congress is yet to do anything to address the issue.

When asked about how they felt about the redistricting that has occurred, Stenholm's response suggested he felt just as the people do, stating that it shouldn't have happened. He blamed Tom Delay for the inconveniencing that the redistricting has caused, mentioning that Neugebaur supports Delay 90 percent of the time. He also said that redistricting has resulted in a lack of bi-partisan cooperation.

Neugebaur, on the other hand said that the focus shouldn't be on the past but rather on the future. "I am the Congressmen of the 19th District and I'm proud to be," he added.
Another important concern, additional permanent tax cuts, was raised. Neugebaur said that he has always supported tax breaks and making them permanent.

"We need a tax policy that encourages investment," he said on abolishing the IRS and creating a system that taxes the people as they spend.

Stenholm, however, addressed the issue by saying that the budget problem can't be solved unless spending is reduced. He said that while Republicans have increased spending by 10 percent, taxes have gone down five percent since he joined the Congress.
What seemed like the hottest area of the debate came when the candidates were asked how they would balance the costs of foreign and domestic policies. Neugebaur said, "We can either fight it over here or over there, and I would rather fight it over there." At this, the crowd broke the rules of "observers" becoming participants, and Neugebaur's side of the auditorium began shouting and cheering for his speech. He finished his response by adding that he supported a strong national military and the guarding of borders, to help prevent terrorist attacks in the future.

Stenholm responded with talk of his 26-year record of supporting the nation's military. However, he mentioned that he is concerned with veteran's issues. "We have to honor the commitment of those fighting today when they come home-and we've been derelict in that lately," he finished. And at this, Stenholm's crowd cheered as well.

When the questioning was completed, the candidates had a chance to rebuttal anything that was previously said. Neugebaur began the process by saying that most of his foundation and invested time lies within his family and church. "I've made tremendous contributions to the people of West Texas," he added.

Stenholm spoke last. He was firm where he stood and spoke with power behind his voice as he censured Neugebaur for his negative campaigning, adding "That dog won't hunt." As the ranking member of the House Agricultural Committee, he denounced Neugebaur for his "inexperience" that led to the $3 billion cut to the baseline of the Farm Bill.

In closing arguments, both candidates had much to say about the issues that were raised. Neugebaur said he was optimistic of restoring the nation after the war. Stenholm, said of the budget, "We can't get ourselves into a hole that we can't get out of." He closed by saying, "Tractor seat commonsense in West Texas will prevail."

The debate was the first of two to be held between the candidates. They will speak again in Abilene, Oct. 14 on the campus of McMurry University.