CA: Bill Jones on the issues

AP via Contra Costa Times ^ | Feb. 07, 2004 | Associated Press

[calcowgirl]

Here are Senate candidate Bill Jones' views on a variety of issues:

BUDGET AND TAXES - Said he's concerned about higher federal spending, although some is justifiable because of the rebuilding of Afghanistan and Iraq and anti-terrorism demands. "Proper tax policies combined with controls on discretionary spending can get us there, but only if we remember that a good economy sets good tax policy, not the other way around."

HOW TO CLOSE THE BUDGET DEFICIT - Supports the president's tax cuts and says "our businesses and our families will be seeing these savings in their tax returns this year." Wants temporary tax cuts made permanent and wants to simplify the tax code, which has "grown out of control" since the 1986 reform of tax laws.

DEFENSE PRIORITIES - Supports the modernization of military technology and would pay for it by stopping "development and acquisition of weapons systems designed for yesterday's battles, and reduce the Pentagon's bureaucratic waste."

BASE CLOSINGS - Opposes the closing of any more bases in California, saying "California has already given far more than its fair share." With 36 major and 25 minor facilities, California has more bases than any other state, but they handle critical military missions and must be preserved.

REBUILDING IRAQ - Says he would have voted for the $87 billion spent to help rebuild Iraq, because "the fact is we are committed and we cannot leave the job half finished." Spending the money will create a democratic Iraq that will remove a threat to Middle East peace and Israel.

ABORTION RIGHTS - Opposes a woman's ability to have an abortion but says he has been supported in other races by pro-abortion politicians, such as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "It is not my intention to impose my personal beliefs, and I will never use this issue as a litmus test for judges or other policy decisions."

FOREIGN POLICY AND THE UNITED NATIONS - The United States should "remain in control of its own foreign policy and its own national defense needs." Too often, Jones says, the U.N. has not acted decisively during major international conflicts. "I have concerns that the U.N. the U.S. pushed to create in San Francisco in 1945 bears little resemblance to U.N. of today, where a rogue nation like Syria can chair the Security Council and a terrorist nation like Libya can chair the Human Rights Commission."

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY - Says California has the nation's best environmental programs but the state is hurt by too many conflicting federal agencies and their rules. Supports the ban on drilling oil off the California coast and the federal government should buy out the remaining leases, as it has done in Florida. Also, "federal environmental grants should be combined into a block grant to the State, to be spent on the critical environmental needs as identified by Californians."

IMMIGRATION REFORM - Says the president has provided a framework for future discussion. Opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants already in the country but supports more resources for visa, immigration and border control agencies. "Temporary work visas should not be a shortcut to immigration. We must protect the rights of legal immigrants and ensure that all seeking citizenship do so by the same set of rules."

ONE THING ON WHICH HE DISAGREES WITH THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION - Didn't answer.

[heleny]

Thanks for posting the summaries of each major candidate!

Tentatively, there is a debate on Roger Hedgecock's radio show for TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24TH, but it might be rescheduled to accommodate Jones.

[calcowgirl]

You're welcome. Thanks for the Hedgecock notice... I can't get his program (in LA). I think I tried once via internet, but I can't get my firewall to cooperate. Maybe it would be a nice day for a drive to San Diego! LOL.

[EternalVigilance]

He needs to go much further on tax reform. Rearranging the deckchairs is ultimately meaningless.

His answer on the abortion question sucks bigtime.

Otherwise, pretty good overall.

He was smart to avoid the loaded 'where do you disagree with Bush' question.

[heleny]

I doubt the debate is for the whole show... it might be just half an hour or an hour, if the schedule gets finalized at all.

I can receive the station in my car during the entire drive from San Diego to Ventura County, but reception indoors sometimes isn't as clear, even when I turn my radio in the right direction.

If I listen in and hear anything new/interesting, I'll post it (if someone else doesn't).

[heleny]

For comparison on these issues, see the entire series:

Howard Kaloogian on the issues
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1073531/posts

Bill Jones on the issues
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1073729/posts

Rosario Marin on the issues
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1073746/posts

Toni Casey on the issues
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1073736/posts

[midnight patriots]

I am a valley resident where Bill Jones (for those who listen to KMJ 580 out of Fresno) is known as the "favorite Son". I am not a fan. I am leery of anyone anointed by the party or other big wigs, I feel they have abandoned there principles and have no backbone. Don't be fooled, this guy is not a real conservative................ neither is Arnold.