Democratic candidate says voters are angry
By DOUG WILSON
of the Herald-Whig
Web Posted on May 10, 2006

PALMYRA, Mo. - Congressional candidate Duane Burghard said people in Northeast Missouri are angry about the Bush administration's "problems with corruption and cronyism."

Burghard on Tuesday visited voters in Palmyra and Hannibal, promising that he'll be a voice for change if he wins a seat in Congress. He is challenging the re-election of U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Columbia, to a sixth term in Congress.

"Over the weekend and the last couple of days I have heard more than anything else a general discontent with the administration. Voters also are concerned that Hulshof votes so often with it," Burghard said.

The Democrat from Columbia said his campaign against Hulshof is going well. There are lots of issues that people feel strongly about, and lots of governmental mishandling to point at, he said.

"Medicare part D was created to help the pharmaceutical companies instead of seniors. It's goofy that they can't negotiate the price on drugs" as is possible for drug programs that help veterans, Burghard said.

With high fuel prices, energy issues also are hot. Burghard said while he does not support price fixing, there are lots of things that could be done to improve the energy picture.

Burghard wants to see the nation aggressively pursue alternative fuels.He said although Hulshof supports ethanol, there are only 47 E-85 fueling sites in Missouri. Asked what can be done in Congress to affect such free market decisions, Burghard said lawmakers should promote good alternatives.

As one example, Burghard said the nation needs to give tax breaks to people who buy the Ford Escape hybrid, which is built in Missouri.

Education is an issue for many voters and Burghard has been proposing that the nation scrap much of No Child Left Behind Act, which he believes "federalizes" too much of what should be under local control.

"It takes away decisions from parents and teachers and voters," he said.

Burghard's top priority is "reigning in the borrow and spend" practices in Congress. The nation's $1.8 trillion debt is especially dangerous because banks from China hold much of that debt. That makes it difficult to discuss human rights abuses in China, he said.

This story can be found online at The Herald-Whig