1st Congressional District questionnaire: Mike Whalen

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By Mike Whalen | Saturday, November 04, 2006 |

Eric Sumberg/QUAD-CITY TIMES Mike Whalen, a Republican candidate for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, greets voters at the Clinton, Iowa Masonic Lodge in May.

Mike Whalen holds a Harvard law degree, but most Quad-Citians know him for his innovative restaurants and hotels. He opened Iowa Machine Shed in 1978, the first of what would become 17 restaurants and nine hotels operated as Heart of America. He became politically active with the National Center for Policy Analysis, being an early proponent of augmenting Social Security with private investment accounts. He and his wife Kim have two children.

Rock Island Arsenal

What contemporary role does the Rock Island Arsenal have in our nation’s defense? What role does the entire island have as a federal installation?

I defer to the Commander in Chief and our Defense experts on the role to be played by the Rock Island Arsenal in our nation’s defense. But I won’t defer on the economic and operational “analysis” used by the BRAC to determine which jobs stay or leave, after the mission has been defined. As a businessman, I just couldn’t accept the business case that was ostensibly made for moving jobs. While the theory of BRAC makes sense, something went wrong in its application of the facts last year. That has to be fixed.

Mississippi River locks

How necessary is expansion of the upper Mississippi River lock system?

A lot of farmers have told me how critical it is that the locks be expanded to move commodities downriver. I’ve said that we need to expand and improve the locks so that feedstocks can be shipped upriver as the raw source for our rapidly expanding bioenergy industry as we become a value added state.

Education

Describe the impact of No Child Left Behind on schools in your district.There’s no question but that we all share the goals of No Child Left Behind. Yet, the real target of this legislation has been primarily the failing urban school districts in our largest cities — and that doesn’t include Iowa communities. Still, our school districts, which are a model for the nation and will not likely have supplemental gains under the legislation, are frequently negatively impacted by the paperwork, warped directions and unfunded requirements. In many ways, this is a perfect example of what can go wrong when the federal government becomes involved in matters already well handled — at least in Iowa — by local and state entities.

What role should national standards or a national curriculum play in im-proving the competitiveness of American public education?

Do you support reauthorization of NCLB?I would support reauthorization only if the case is made that national legislation is the best way to address these problems. As for national standards, I wouldn’t oppose the adoption of Iowa’s standards by every state.

Marriage

What should be the federal government’s role in regulating marriage?I’m in favor of a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

Should America require public and private companies to extend benefits to participants in committed same-sex relationships?   I oppose efforts to create yet additional regulations limiting and defining what private insurance covers and what benefits employers provide.

Energy

How can America be less dependent on foreign energy? What can you do to make that happen?

I’ve outlined three goals for Iowa’s renewable energy program. Goal No. 1is to go from 0-60 in five. Currently there are 28 fueling stations in Iowa where consumers can get E-85, but only a single location in the First District. My goal is to have 60 fueling stations in the First District by 2011.

We need to provide incentives for stations to install E-85 pumps. Currently, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources puts stricter requirements on storage tanks for E-85 than conventional gasoline. We need to work to find some common ground so retailers have incentives to install E-85 pumps.

Currently there is a federal infrastructure income tax credit for retailers who want to sell renewable fuels. Right now the program offers 30% of any new upgrades up to $30,000. We should increase the percentage to 50% up to $50,000 which gives the mom and pop retailer a better incentive to install E-85 pumps.

Our second goal should be to produce one billion gallons of bio-diesel in Iowa by 2010. While current projections cite our capacity to produce 400 million gallons by 2010 with 18 operating plants, we need to do better. We need a champion in Congress who can work with leaders in agriculture, state government and Congress to reach this goal and I’m ready to take on this challenge.

My third goal for renewable energy calls for 1 in 5 in 5, meaning 20% of vehicles on the road should be flex-fuel vehicles or diesel powered engines.

Farm policy

Are federal subsidies for corn and soybeans viable in our international economy?

Trade has to be fair and go two ways. We can’t unilaterally disarm with the breakdown of WTO and Doha. Even though there will be increasing pressure on the United States to reduce corn and soybean subsidies as part of ongoing and future rounds of international trade negotiations, we must insist that the rules be applied consistently and fairly, and that open and fair trade go two ways. We should extend the current Farm Bill for one year. We need to recognize that over the long haul there will be increasing pressures to reduce farm subsidies as the pressures on the discretionary portions of the federal budget increase.

Immigration

Complete this sentence: Undocumented Mexican immigrants in America are...We need to stop turning a blind eye to illegal immigration. The real problem with illegal aliens and border security lies with a bureaucracy that enables those who would come into our system illegally. We have a failed system that is bankrupting our welfare system, wreaking havoc with border security and posing a huge national security threat. We need to stop the jobs, and stop the flow.

How would you propose handling the undocumented immigrants of any nationality here and those who may follow?

The government has created a system that doesn’t work. It makes it impossible for those hiring to verify whether the Social Security number and other identification documents provided by the applicant are legitimate. We need a tamper-proof, counterfeit-proof instant verification system using cards issued to non-citizens eligible to work in the United States. Just like a credit card is instantly verified for fraud when you make a purchase, employers should be able to instantly verify whether a Social Security number is fraudulent. As I’ve said repeatedly, if we stop the jobs, we’ll stop the flow. And once we have a system that works, we have to hold employers responsible for following the rules.

I support the initiative to increase border security by constructing high-tech fences in urban corridors, and building new patrol roads and barriers in rural areas. More motion sensors, infrared cameras, and unmanned aerial vehicles should be used to prevent illegal crossings. America has the best technology in the world, and we need to ensure that the Border Patrol has the technology they need to do their job and secure our border. I support the move to complete the dramatic expansion of training and hiring new Border Patrol officers, increasing the number by an additional 6,000 by the end of 2008.

In 1986, America granted amnesty to millions of illegals. This was wrong and sent the wrong message to those wishing to enter our country illegally. Amnesty is not the answer and will only make the problem worse.

Social Security

Assess the need for reforming Social Security. What changes do you support?We must guarantee American retirees that Congress must keep its commitment to Social Security. Personal retirement accounts should be made available to younger workers to help ease the Social Security crunch. The bottom line is simple: Keeping Social Security safe is priority one.

I've spent the last several years speaking to groups and writing about the need for a fiscally-sound and balanced plan to reform our entitlement system, particularly Social Security. Last year, President Bush invited a dialogue on the issue, but it stalled when the Democrats refused to place everything on the table and conditioned their involvement on pre-negotiated positions. That was politics at its worst. It’s time both parties and all interested stakeholders came to the table to discuss and agree on entitlement reform. We have promises to those who are retired that need to be kept, and the impending financial disaster threatens those promises. We have commitment to those who have paid into the system for years that need to be honored. The future needs of our children and grandchildren need to be met.

The federal deficit

What are your thoughts on the proposed $250 million deficit President Bush hopes to leave at the end of his term?

I’ve called on Congress to reign in federal spending and make tax cuts permanent. The tax cuts have resulted in an explosion of federal revenue leading to a quarter of a trillion in new federal dollars. Congress needs to permanently extend the tax cuts, and then enact a three-part plan to control federal spending.

What specific steps would you support to hasten its reduction?First, Congress should pass a new federal Taxpayer Bill of Rights. This would cap federal spending at the rate of inflation plus the population growth rate. Under this plan, in years, if any when federal revenues exceed our liabilities; 50 percent would be used to pay down the national debt and the remaining 50 percent would be sent back to taxpayers.

Second, the Tax Limitation Amendment should be adopted. This measure, which is advocated by organizations like the Americans for Tax Relief, would amend the Constitution to require a “supermajority” (two-thirds) vote for all tax increases. Four of the last five major tax increases passed by Congress would not have had enough votes if this amendment had been in effect.

Third, the President must be given line-item veto authority consistent with constitutional standards to serve as a final check on Congress’ spending. The President who is elected to serve the nation as a whole should have the authority to stop targeted pork barrel spending and other wasteful spending by Congress.

We must look seriously at structural reform of the federal government’s approach to spending and over-sight. There is no longer any doubt about whether Congress can establish and stick with budgets that are not filled with wish-list items and earmarks. It just doesn't have the necessary discipline. The Congressional process is set up to fund countless pet projects and pork barrel specials without regard to national interest and with no one being accountable. That has to be changed.

How important is it that Congress act to reduce the deficit during your first term?Very important         1         2         3         4         5          not at all important

Israel and American leadership

Describe America's leadership responsibility for peace among Israel and its neighbors.As friends and allies the United States and Israel stand together in facing the most serious threats including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, rogue nations and networks spreading the technology and materials for the production of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, international terrorism, and disruption to the Middle East oil supplies. The United States played a critical and useful role with the United Nations in reaching an agreement on a cease fire in the recent hostilities.

Describe America's leadership role in a 21st century world.

America is the standard by which countries around the world measure their success in nearly every area. In the last century, we saw peoples liberated from oppressive regimes adopt our model of government and economic growth. Our language has become the world language. But those who stand still are quickly passed. We must continue to be an incubator of the new ideas that will move the world over the next century. We must stay true to our ideals of education, respect for and involvement in faith, and culture. We must continue to set an example as a country of people who act out of passion to voluntarily assist those who need a helping hand. We must be a leader in the global fight against terror-ism, as the loss of that battle would endanger these ideals and all that we hold dear.

Nuclear proliferation

How should the U.S. respond to Iran’s desire to develop nuclear material?

How should the U.S. respond to North Korea’s missile tests?

Does the U.S. need a consistent response to all nuclear threats?

Meaningful and verifiable steps to reduce the threats must be taken by North Korea and Iran. Promises already made by North Korea need to be kept, and sanctions should be imposed and continued if the broken promises continue. Moderates in Iran should be encouraged to work to assert themselves in the political process. In both instances, negotiations and diplomatic efforts are proceeding to directly address the threats, and those should be continued. The United States should continue to insist that other key countries such as China, France and Russia, be firm and insist on appropriate responses. The United States should insist that Pakistan fully cooperate in revealing the full extent of its sale of nuclear intelligence and equipment around the world, and in repairing, where possible, the damage.

Q: How important is it that Congress act to curtail nuclear proliferation during your first term?

Very important          1         2         3        4       5             not at all important

War in Iraq

How have your thoughts about the war in Iraq changed over the past year?

What outcome would you like to see for Iraq?

What outcome would you like to see for America?

Is a deadline for withdrawal helpful or hurtful in obtaining those out-comes?

The war against terrorism has shifted from our shores to the Middle East and that's a good thing. Al-Zarqawi, one of the world’s top three terrorists, was killed this year in Iraq. And he is just one of dozens. The bottom line is this, if we don't take the fight to the terrorists, they will certainly take it to us here at home. And I think Bruce Braley was wrong when he called for funding to our troops to be cut. We must support them and support their battle against the world’s foremost terrorists.

We have seen some positive developments over the last year, but we also have been repeatedly reminded that our goals will not be achieved easily or quickly.   The broad underlying issue is – what is America’s role in responding to rogue regimes and in combating terrorism around the world? North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq. London-based terrorists. Syria. Spain. Lebanon. This last year we have been reminded that the threats to our survival come from throughout the world, from a variety of countries, groups and individuals. Those who advocate immediate withdrawal from Iraq simply throw up their hands, and say - withdraw now, retreat to within our borders and let the oceans protect us. My opponent wants to stop funding for our troops while they are in battle. However, we are participants in a global war whether we like it or not, whether we withdraw or not. The oceans around our country did not stop the attack on 9/11, and the challenge that cannot be ducked has never been greater. Those who advocate immediate withdrawal are ignoring what will happen after we cut and run. Do they really believe that Iran will not move into the chaos of an abandoned Iraq? The goals of reducing the threat to the survival of our civilization and keeping Americans safe will be met only if we persevere and take the long view. As long as countries like Iran have a direct economic incentive (higher oil prices) to promote violence in Iraq and Lebanon, we’ll see them promote unrest and violence for political purposes. When that happens, those who are attacked, such as Israel, must respond strongly and firmly. Those striving to forge a democratic, coalition government, such as Iraq, must be given the breathing space to succeed, relying as much as possible on their own troops and security forces. Have we made as much progress over the last year as we would have desired? No. But we must provide the transitional security to permit Iraq to move to true independence and self defense. We can’t abandon them and give up simply because we become impatient. And, artificial deadlines only reveal weakness and give hope to the terrorists.

What does America want to see? A functioning democratic Iraq, meeting the needs of its people and serving as a model to moderates throughout the Mideast and people who just want to live normal lives. A world where terrorist individuals and rogue states are universally condemned by the world community and are deterred from their killing behavior by the prospect of certain, swift and effective response and punishment.

How important is it that Congress act on your priorities for Iraq during your first term?

Very important                   1                 2                  3               4             5                          not at all important

Personal Insight

The favorite DVD I own is... Secondhand Lions. (Haley Joe Osmet visits eccentric uncles, Robert Duvall and Michael Caine in this coming-of-age film.)

The last CD I bought for myself: Heather Myles’ latest CD

I've bought this book for friends: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

I've always wanted to read: Teddy Roosevelt's book about the West.

Here’s an experience I’ve had that I wish everyone could have: The joy and gratitude to God in becoming a first-time parent.

My best family vacation was... Every trip to our cabin in the woods.

Call me if you need help with... ...anything. I'll try to help with anything.

Here’s a musical instrument I’d love to learn how to play: Piano

The first car I purchased for myself was…   A Fiat 850 - the car I bought was junk, but it sure looked cool.

Here is a celebrity who is a terrific role model:   Lance Armstrong. He never gave up despite overwhelming odds.

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1st Congressional District questionnaire: Mike Whalen

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