UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 5TH DISTRICT

JOB DESCRIPTION

Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, is composed of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. A majority vote of both houses is required to pass a law. The Senate, made up of two members from each of the 50 states, also has the power to approve treaties and confirm presidential appointments. Terms are staggered, with one-third of the membership up for election every two years.

Term: two years

Salary: $169,300.00

Question: What is the role of the federal government in America’s economy?

DEMOCRAT

Mark B. McCracken

Residence: Clearfield

Campaign Web site: www.mccrackenforcongress.com

Birth date: Nov. 27, 1963

Education: Clearfield Area High School, Clearfield County Career and Technology Center, 1981; ICM School of Business, 1983

Occupation: County commissioner

Qualifications: Second-term county commissioner; Clearfield school board, 10 years; board memberships with Central Pennsylvania Community Action, Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Clearfield Chapter of American Red Cross, Clearfield Area United Way

Answer to question: The federal government’s role is to adopt consistent policies that will strengthen the economy and encourage economic development. One area that will strengthen our national economy is a disciplined fiscal policy that balances the budget, builds a surplus and pays down the national debt, which now exceeds $10 trillion. We should also commit to a long-range national energy policy that stresses domestically produced alternative fuels, which will create jobs and grow our economy.

REPUBLICAN

Glenn W. Thompson

Residence: Howard Campaign Web site: www.glenn thompson 2008.com Birth date: July 27, 1959

Education: Penn State, B.S., 1981; Temple University, master of education, 1988

Occupation: Rehabilitation services manager/ licensed nursing home administrator

Qualifications: Health care professional, 26 years; Work Force Investment Board, five years; school board, six years; Republican chairman, six years; Private Industry Council, seven years; Boy Scout Council president; graduate, Leadership Centre County.

Answer to question: The federal government’s role in America’s economy should be to encourage economic growth by business and industry. Frequently government creates barriers that limit economic growth. There is a difference between “big government” and “smart government” solutions. The Wall Street bailout was big government. Decreasing capital gains taxes and eliminating tax on interest and dividend earned to stimulate investments and provide capital in the markets would be smart government. We need more smart government solutions.

LIBERTARIAN

James Fryman

Residence: Polk

Campaign Web site: www.frymanforcongress.com

Birth date: May 4, 1947

Education: Clarion University, B.S., 1973; Penn State; University of West Florida; Armed Forces Institute

Occupation: Retired negotiator

Qualifications: Job experience as auto plant worker, circuit board designer and real estate appraiser; board memberships wtih Oil City Food Coop and PPC Violence Free Network; served as local treasurer with AFSCME; secretary with Catholic War Vets; and as a volunteer basketball coach.

Answer to question: The federal role is to issue and support a stable monetary system and to allow business to create jobs without government interference. Also, it is the government’s responsibility to establish a court system to handle civil complaints and protect property rights. The current government has overstepped its bounds and is hurting the economy. The recently passed bailout will only slow our economy.