Split on bailout

Foster says action was needed; Oberweis calls it 'more of same'

Voters of the 14th District got their chance to quiz Republican congressional candidate Jim Oberweis and incumbent Democrat Bill Foster on Sunday at the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles.

In an event sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the two candidates, vying for a full two-year term in Washington come November, spoke about the economy, the war in Iraq, health care, abortion, energy and religion in a two-hour-long session of questions asked by Beacon News Managing Editor Mike Cetera, the Daily Herald's Jim Fuller and Kane County Chronicle editor Joe Grace.

Before reporter and audience questions could even be asked, the candidates jumped in on key topics, mainly the economy.

In Oberweis' opening statement, the Sugar Grove businessman showed the audience a thick stack of papers representing the 451-page, $700-billion bailout bill that was supported by Foster and approved by both House and Senate last week.

"This bill will hurt the future growth of our nation," Oberweis told the audience. "This bill doesn't represent change, it represents more of the same."

Oberweis called the decision to pass the bill hasty, and said other alternatives, which would affect taxpayers less, should have been considered.

"I don't think this will help," he said. "It will do the exact opposite."

In his rebuttal, Foster adamantly stood by his decision to support the bill, and said a letter he received, backed by more than 61 different business groups, proved he had made the right decision.

"This is an ugly situation we're in," Foster said. "Not acting would be irresponsible. ... Don't get me wrong here, this is a horrible situation, but there were businesses all over the country that convinced me to take action."

In the two-minute slots they were allotted to answer the journalists' questions, both candidates were on the defensive, making sure their points got across, though neither specified just how the bailout bill would directly affect 14th District voters.

When it comes to questions about American troops in Iraq, the candidates continue to have opposing views.

Foster said he supports troop withdrawal at once, and would like to see military forces in Afghanistan where they belong, instead of in Iraq.

Oberweis said he doesn't believe in having a specific timetable when it comes to withdrawing the troops, but that the government should do it safely, while "preserving our political gains." He said to reveal to the enemy a time line for withdrawal would not be safe.

With immigration issues, disagreements came as well. Foster said the key to dealing with illegal immigrants is in workplace enforcement.

"We need to provide businesses with rapid and reliable methods of testing immigration status," Foster said, adding that a big fraction of the economy would shut down today if we didn't have immigrants working for our businesses.

He suggested impact fees be paid to local schools, police forces and other tax-funded bodies by businesses who hire illegal immigrants.

Oberweis called Foster's suggestion "very strange."

"So it's OK to break laws if you pay a fine?" he asked. "That's the kind of thinking you can only get in Washington. It makes no sense."

Energy issues were also discussed.

"As a scientist, I'm frustrated," Foster said. "We have spent many times more money on the war in Iraq than on alternative energy." He said he would like to see more initiative by the government to focus on ways to become independent of foreign oil.

Surprisingly, Oberweis agreed, although he accused Foster of flip-flopping.

"Mr. Foster was against (offshore drilling) before he was for it," he said, before offering his own simple solution to the energy crisis.

"Let's produce more energy in this country, and use less of it," he said.

When asked by the audience who would fund the research for alternative energy sources, Oberweis made it clear that the government should in no way be in the business of delivering energy.

Foster said the government clearly plays a role in the process of funding the research when it's in its early stages.

"When it's ready for commercial deployment, then we'll let the market take over," he said.

As for the top three threats facing the U.S., Oberweis and Foster had very different answers. Bioterrorism, nuclear terrorism and economic decay lead Foster's list, while international and financial terrorism were on Oberweis' radar.

"Financial terrorism (invading computer systems and destroying satellite communications) is more information-oriented, but could do significant damage to our way of life," he said.

Then came more personal issues, like abortion, religion and gun rights.

"I believe strongly in the sanctity of life," Oberweis told the moderator when asked about his viewpoints.

Foster's answer was just as concise. "I am pro-choice," he said to the crowd.

Whether each candidate believed in the right to bear arms struck a personal chord for Oberweis, whose sister-in-law was murdered by gun-wielding intruders.

"We are all influenced by events that happen in life," he said. " ... since then I wonder if she had had a gun in her bedroom would she have been able to defend herself. I'd like to see Second Amendment rights stay where they are today. I'd be happy to allow people handguns to protect themselves."

Foster said he'd talk to local sheriffs for their opinions, should he ever have to vote on a proposal to ban handguns, automatic weapons or ammunition.

"Those are the people whose advice I will lean on," he said.

Then came the candidates' one-minute closing statements which brought the debates back to square one: the economy.

Lifting the 451-page bill off his table to the audience once again, Oberweis gave his final statement.

"In 30 days, you have to make a very important choice," he said. "There is one critical question you have to answer. Do you think this legislation is good for America? If so, vote for Mr. Foster."

Foster thanked the audience for participating in the debate and stressed the importance of voters understanding where each candidate stands on the issues. He also said that it is his goal to understand the importance of the voters themselves.

"You can't truly represent someone unless you listen to them," Foster said of getting out into the communities and talking to 14th District residents. "It has been my privilege to represent you for the last eight months."