U.S. Congress Candidates Foxx and Carter Provide Thoughts on Immigration, Industry and Iraq

With less than three weeks until Americans step into the voting booth, the race between Incumbent Virginia Foxx and Roy Carter for the 5th Congressional District seat is anything but decided. Carter's internal polling has the race close with Foxx holding a slim 48 to 46 lead in the traditionally Republican district. Foxx has not released any opinion polling as of yet, but has disagreed with Carter's numbers.

Carter was provided with a short list of questions for comment. Although the candidate did not comment directly, his campaign provided the responses below. Foxx answered the questions personally.

Q. The market in Ashe County is seeing some tough times, with nearly 500 jobs lost this year alone. How will you work to improve this and bring new industry to the county?

Foxx: The poor economy in North Carolina can be laid squarely at the feet of the Democratic-controlled legislature. They have kept North Carolina's corporate tax and personal income taxes the highest in the southeast; North Carolina's gasoline tax is the second highest in the nation.

When new companies are deciding where to locate, they consider local tax rates and N.C. is often ruled out. Surrounding states have much lower taxes, with Tennessee having no income tax. It will continue to be difficult to bring new industry to N.C. as long as the tax situations remain the same.

I have and will continue to support lowering federal business tax rates because they are the second highest in the world. We lose jobs to other countries partly because of their more competitive tax rates. Because of the concern for loss of jobs and the unfair competitive conditions in other countries, I voted against CAFTA and will continue to work to ensure that our nation's trade policies do not take jobs from Ashe County.

The federal government can help spur job creation through more favorable tax treatment for American companies that bring jobs to the U.S. I will work with local and state officials any time that there is a prospective employer and will do anything I can as a Member of Congress to bring new jobs to Ashe County.

Carter: If elected as representative, Carter said his priorities on the economy would be to call for reform of NAFTA and support increased wages to end the ramped outsourcing of American jobs. He would work closely with local officials to secure federal funding for necessary infrastructure and transportation projects. To hold a regional economic development summit with leaders from Winston-Salem, Forsyth County and all 12 counties in the 5th district. With an eye to the future he supports funding for alternative energy research and development at Appalachian State University and the Piedmont Triad Research Park to promote "green" jobs and support sustainable development by partnering with the Appalachian Regional Commission and calling for more local farmers and trade markets.

Q. The Christmas tree industry in Ashe County remains an important part of the local economy, and many of the workers are immigrants. How do you propose to continue to bring in new workers legally without hurting the job market for local citizens? Also, how should we deal with workers that are here illegally and the businesses that employ them?

Foxx: As a former Christmas tree farmer, I am very familiar with this industry and its importance to Ashe County and other counties in North Carolina. The American immigration system is broken. We need a sensible solution to the immigration problem that secures our borders, respects the rule of law and provides the necessary support to small businesses that need workers. We need a system that allows workers who have jobs to come to the country legally, be paid a fair wage, be able to go home when the work is done and return here without great cost when work is again available.

I have worked very hard to make sensible revisions to the H-2A, H-2B and other programs. These programs have worked but have been inadequate in providing the number of workers at a reasonable cost to the employer. However, liberals in Congress continue to demand amnesty and citizenship for all who have entered the country illegally. That is simply not fair to those who immigrate legally and who play by the rules.

Carter: First we must secure our borders. We should improve the guest worker program to give farmers access to needed labor. We should also expand the e-verify system to give employers quick information regarding the legality of job applicants. That will help protect the interests of legal workers and give farmers the resources they need. Finally, we must deal in a humane way with the illegal workers who are in our country. The children of illegals who are born in the United States are American citizens. Splitting up families is not only wrong but only increases their dependence on government. Roy Carter will cross the aisle to find a reasonable solution to this problem. Virginia Foxx has done absolutely nothing to solve the immigration crisis, she simply uses it as a political issue.

Q. The conflict in Iraq has continued, forcing local military personnel to make repeated trips overseas to serve their third or fourth tours of duty. What ideas do you plan to propose in Washington to bring an end to this conflict or at least give our soldiers a reprieve from repeated tours of duty?

Foxx: I support bringing our troops home from Iraq as soon as is practically possible. We are blessed to have an all-volunteer military which has done an absolutely outstanding job of securing greater stability in Iraq and putting terrorists on the run around the world. Some members of Congress have tried to become generals and run the war from Washington. This is not appropriate. Our experienced military commanders are best suited for setting strategy and tactics. Today our troops are beginning to come home from Iraq and I am confident that most of our troops will be home soon. I will continue to pray for a speedy end to the fighting in Iraq and for the safety of our military everywhere in the world.

Carter: We are spending 400 million dollars a day in Iraq. We are currently running a $500 to $600 billion annual deficit. Iraq is running a $79 billion surplus. It is time for the Iraqi government to assume responsibility for the security of its people. The United States should draw down forces in a responsible way to help the Iraqis make the transition. But the open-ended use of America's troops and taxpayer dollars, as my opponent and President Bush would like to do, must end.

Afghanistan is becoming a much bigger problem. The Taliban has gained strength and Al Qaeda's leadership under Osama Bin Laden remains hidden near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. We should work closely with our allies and the Afghans to destroy the Tailiban and hunt down Bin Laden. Choosing to distract our military in their hunt for Bin Laden is one of Bush and Foxx's worst mistakes.

Q. Despite progress in Iraq, many Americans still feel that Islamic extremest still pose a serious threat to the safety of the United States. In your opinion, what is the best way to work towards peace with Islamic nations?
Foxx: America is not at war with Islamic nations. We are already at peace with many Islamic nations such as Indonesia, Egypt and Turkey. In 2001, we were attacked by a group of radical Islamic extremists who continue to do all that they can to destroy the United States. Fortunately, we have prevailed in the past seven years and no further attacks have occurred on our soil. We can foster peace with Islamic nations by supporting moderate and peaceful leaders who are pursuing a democratic agenda of freedom throughout the Muslim world.

Carter: We must restore our moral standing in the global community. We can make significant progress toward improved relations with Islamic countries by taking a leadership role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Sadly, under President Bush, diplomatic efforts have been limited. Let us again play the role of peacemaker. In the New Testament, Peter, echoing the psalmist, urges us "to seek peace and to pursue it." ( 1 Peter 3:11)

Q. The prices of gasoline and energy is still taking a toll on the citizens of Ashe County. How do you propose that we move away from our dependence on foreign oil? Also, what forms of alternative energy do you feel are the most practical?

Foxx: A comprehensive energy strategy is our best strategy. An effective strategy should allow drilling for American oil and would use the federal funds that result from the oil leases to invest in alternative energy. By using this funding windfall, we can take meaningful steps toward investing in more wind, solar, tidal and biomass energy along with safe, clean, nuclear.

Our economy will also benefit from the fact that instead of sending $700 billion to other countries, we will have those funds to create excellent paying jobs in this country. And, last but not least, we will not be dependent on Middle Eastern oil.

Carter: Dependence on foreign oil isn't just an economic issue, it's a national security issue. We should increase CAFE standards to get more clean vehicles, like hybrids and other high-mileage vehicles, on the road. Transportation technologies continue to improve and we must demand auto manufacturers step up to the plate. Virginia Foxx voted against the energy independence act.

Invest in renewable energy technologies. Wind and solar currently provide about seven percent of our electricity needs. We can increase that percentage dramatically if only we will make the commitment. Virginia Foxx has repeatedly voted against incentives for renewable energy, including the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Protection Act.

Fight for an increased use of Biofuels. Diesel and gasoline fuels pollute our air and contribute to global warming. In North Carolina we have tremendous opportunities to expand the use of biodiesel and ethanol to diversify the ways we generate fuels for home heating, cars, and diesel engines. Increasing the use of biofuels would create new economic opportunities for farmers. Biodiesel made from soybeans and waste restaurant grease is already gaining popularity in Western North Carolina with Blue Ridge Biofuels providing drivers with the choice for a cleaner fuel. Cellulosic ethanol production also helps create agriculture jobs and reduce global warming pollution.

Q. Rising fuel prices are driving the costs of everything up. That, compounded with rising taxes and stagnant cost of living increases to most workers, it seems that the middle class is becoming a thing of the past. What will you do to lessen the divide between rich and poor and bolster the economic status of hard working North Carolinians?

Foxx: The federal government must reduce taxes and tighten its own belt. There is too much waste, fraud and abuse at the federal level. We must not assume that every issue that comes up is one that requires the federal government to take action in the form of throwing the hard-earned income of North Carolina taxpayers at the issue. Too much of our income is already being squandered by Washington's failed big-government approach.

The federal government could declare a capital gains holiday for those who wish to purchase homes now and keep them for a short period of time, e.g. 5 years. We should stop penalizing those who have saved, especially those whose retirement accounts have shrunk in recent weeks by not requiring them to begin withdrawing at age 70 1/2.

Carter: President Bush and the Foxx-Congress have favored policies that have harmed the middle-class. Hedge fund managers and CEO's often pay a smaller percentage of their income in taxes than the workers who clean their offices. I will fight to restore fairness to the tax code and cut taxes for the middle class. We must also reform our health care system. Medical bills are a leading cause of bankruptcy in America. This is a travesty. We must make health care affordable and accessible for all. Finally, we must restore fairness to our trade policies with other nations.

Individual Question

Q: What do you feel has been the biggest accomplishment of your time in office, specifically in 2008? If re-elected, what will you focus on during your next term?

Q. What do you feel has been the biggest failure of your opponents time in office, specifically failures in 2008. If elected what will you focus on during your Freshman term?

Carter: Overall, I would say her biggest failure is in putting the partisan political interests of her party above the everyday, kitchen table concerns of her constituents. This is measured by her effectiveness ranking of 399 out of 435 house members. She has little to no influence in congress. Roy Carter will work with members of both parties to solve problems.

Her second greatest failure is her complete subjection to corporate special interests who donate to her campaign. Foxx voted against the federal gas price gouging prevention act on behalf of big oil. She voted against giving shareholders a greater voice in CEO pay. She voted against tougher regulations for the sub-prime mortgage industry. She also voted against health care for kids from low-income families and against aid to Hurricane Katrina victims. Foxx comforts the powerful and afflicts the weak. This is completely contrary to biblical teaching.