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Books by and about 2024 presidential candidates |
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Hillbilly Elegy,
by JD Vance (2017) |
Crippled America,
by Donald J. Trump (2015) |
Fire and Fury,
by Michael Wolff (2018) |
Trump Revealed,
by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher (2016) |
The Making of Donald Trump,
by David Cay Johnston (2016) |
Promise Me, Dad ,
by Joe Biden (2017) |
The Book of Joe ,
by Jeff Wilser (2019; biography of Joe Biden) |
The Truths We Hold,
by Kamala Harris (2019) |
Smart on Crime,
by Kamala Harris (2010) |
Becoming,
by Michelle Obama (2018) |
Higher Loyalty,
by James Comey (2018) |
The Making of Donald Trump,
by David Cay Johnston (2017) |
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Book Reviews |
(from Amazon.com) |
(click a book cover for a review or other books by or about the presidency from Amazon.com)
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| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details)
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Abortion
Barbara Bollier: Protect women's privacy in their medical decisions.
Chad Taylor: No prosecution of Planned Parenthood for lost reports.
Dave Lindstrom: Committed to culture of life; opposes late-term abortions.
Dave Lindstrom: Led local fight against funding Planned Parenthood.
Greg Orman: Supports access to abortion services.
Jake LaTurner: Innocent unborn children are among our most vulnerable.
Jerry Moran: Life from conception is sacred and must be defended.
Jim Slattery: Record in US Congress in support of abortion rights.
Joan Farr: Oppose abortion as a woman's unrestricted right.
Mark Holland: Defend the right of every woman to bodily autonomy.
Mark Holland: Women's rights are human rights; human rights not for sale.
Michael Soetaert: I didn't choose to be PRO-LIFE, LIFE CHOSE ME!
Milton Wolf: Human life begins at conception.
Pat Roberts: Staunch stance as an advocate for life and families.
Pat Roberts: Let insurance plans deny abortions based on employer beliefs.
Patrick Wiesner: A woman bears the burdens; so trust her judgment.
Randall Batson: Focus on alternatives such as adoption & foster children.
Randall Batson: Support abortion as a woman's right.
Roger Marshall: Believes life begins at conception and should be protected.
Roger Marshall: Kansans for Life: national leader for pro-life legislation.
Mark Holland: People of Kansas voted "hell no" to abortion ban.
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Budget & Economy
Barbara Bollier: Work to increase transparency in budgeting process.
Barbara Bollier: Infrastructure key to rural Kansas, including broadband.
Chad Taylor: Budget cuts threaten basic prosecutorial services.
Dave Lindstrom: National debt is a huge problem.
Dave Lindstrom: Growth in regulations affects ability to create jobs.
Greg Orman: Report federal spending by strict accounting standards.
Joan Farr: Market-led recovery better than stimulus.
Mark Holland: Smart federal spending grows the public sector.
Milton Wolf: Free enterprise is the key to national prosperity.
Pat Roberts: Ok to spend in time of war; otherwise don't be over-generous.
Patrick Wiesner: End Washington DC's "let's borrow money" culture.
Patrick Wiesner: Paying off the national debt is the duty of baby boomers.
Patrick Wiesner: Generate surpluses & not deficits; pay off our national debt.
Patrick Wiesner: Pay off $19T national debt over a period of 25 years.
Randall Batson: Market-led recovery instead of federal stimulus.
Robin Carnahan: TARP financial bailout let banks run wild.
Robin Carnahan: 2008 bank bailout helped Wall Street, not ordinary people.
Roger Marshall: Lower taxes & decreased regulation for American greatness.
Roy Blunt: TARP was a plan that worked.
Roy Blunt: Bailout ok; stimulus package a huge mistake.
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Civil Rights
Barbara Bollier: Validate transgender identity.
Barbara Bollier: Pass Equality Act; end ban on trans service members.
Barbara Bollier: Left GOP over anti-transgender language in party platform.
Chad Taylor: Successfully prosecuted 9-year-long rape case.
Chad Taylor: Advocate for equality, including equal pay for equal work.
Chad Taylor: Make bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.
Charlie Hardy: Equal pay for equal work.
Greg Orman: Government should not prohibit same-sex marriage.
Joan Farr: Oppose same-sex marriage.
Joan Farr: Don'tegally require hiring more women/minorities.
Mark Holland: Stop criminalizing gender identity & other social issues.
Michael Soetaert: I am a GAY, PRO-LIFE DEMOCRAT.
Milton Wolf: Government shouldn't redefine marriage.
Patrick Wiesner: Marriage for two same-sex persons making a life commitment.
Randall Batson: Opposes affirmative action.
Randall Batson: Indifferent to same-sex marriage.
Roger Marshall: Supported ban on transgender people serving in the military.
Susan Wagle: Coronavirus church restrictions violate rights.
Vicky Hartzler: Opposed transgender soldiers service & Equality Act.
Roger Marshall: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports.
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Corporations
Patrick Wiesner: CPA who owns a tax, bankruptcy, and business law practice.
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Crime
Barbara Bollier: Supports the Justice in Policing Act.
Barry Grissom: Clean up gang activity; target child sex offenders.
Joan Farr: Stricter punishment reduces crime.
Randall Batson: Eliminate mandatory minimums; balance with rehabilitation.
Randall Batson: Strongly opposes stricter punishment to reduce crime.
Roger Marshall: Protests okay, but we have to be a land of law and order.
Roger Marshall: Racism is wrong, but condemn defunding the police.
Roger Marshall: Proposes harsher penalties for burning American flag.
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Drugs
Barbara Bollier: Supports decriminalization of marijuana.
Chad Taylor: Successfully prosecuted case on hallucinogenic level-2 drugs.
Chad Taylor: Legalizing marijuana may decrease crime & increase revenue.
Joan Farr: Marijuana is not a gateway drug.
Josh Hawley: Charges opioid manufacturers with deception.
Patrick Wiesner: Failure to stop opioid drug trade is a failure of government.
Patrick Wiesner: Legalizing pot would be surrender, but treat addicts who ask.
Randall Batson: Legalization yields better results than current turf wars.
Randall Batson: Strongly supports legalizing marijuana.
Roger Marshall: Supports cultivation of industrial hemp.
Roger Marshall: Willing to consider medical use but not convinced.
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Education
Barbara Bollier: Ensure every student a high quality K-12 education.
Barbara Bollier: Opposes making college free for everyone.
Barbara Bollier: Private schools have no requirements for accountability.
Dave Lindstrom: Get federal government out of the student loan business.
Greg Orman: National innovation for high student achievement.
Jerry Moran: Make it easier for lower income Kansans to attend college.
Mark Holland: Public schools are backbone of local economic development.
Milton Wolf: Block federal mandates such as Common Core.
Patrick Wiesner: More revenue to increase K-12 funding and college funding.
Randall Batson: Strongly supports parents choosing schools via vouchers.
Roger Marshall: Not taxpayer responsibility to bear burden of student debt.
Roger Marshall: Supported public service loan forgiveness program.
Joan Farr: Oppose vouchers for school choice.
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Energy & Oil
Barbara Bollier: Invest in green energy opportunities to create jobs.
Barbara Bollier: Opposed repealing state renewable energy standard.
Chad Taylor: Wind cowboys maintain fields of windmills in west Kansas.
Jerry Moran: Support an all-of-the-above domestic energy strategy.
Joan Farr: Don't prioritize green energy.
Mark Holland: Needn't choose between vibrant economy and a livable planet.
Milton Wolf: No subsidies for wind and solar.
Patrick Wiesner: Support the Keystone Pipeline, with environmental safeguards.
Patrick Wiesner: End tax credits for wind energy & biofuel--they're gimmicks.
Patrick Wiesner: Remove tax credits for wind energy & agri-biodiesel fuels.
Patrick Wiesner: Build Keystone pipeline without environmental mistakes.
Randall Batson: Strongly opposes prioritizing green energy.
Roger Marshall: Voted for a resolution opposing a carbon tax.
Josh Hawley: AdWatch: Don't ban gas and diesel trucks.
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Environment
Chad Taylor: Good farmers use best practices, as stewards of the land.
Greg Orman: We can protect our environment AND create jobs.
Greg Orman: Rein in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Joan Farr: Fight EPA regulatory over-reach.
Mark Holland: Let EPA regulate CO2 emissions.
Pat Roberts: For early farm bill, but final bill had too many subsidies.
Patrick Wiesner: Why do we waste effort on lesser prairie chicken regulation?
Randall Batson: Indifferent to whether there's a 'right' against pollution.
Robin Carnahan: Brother's $107M wind project created 1000s of jobs statewide.
Roger Marshall: Overturn EPA rules surrounding Waters of the US.
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Families & Children
Chad Taylor: Successfully prosecuted case on child sexual exploitation.
Claire McCaskill: Women were exploited in 2000 BC, not just from 1960s.
Dave Lindstrom: Raise cap for tax free accounts for dependent care.
Patrick Wiesner: Ancestors immigrated to Kansas; kids raised in Kansas.
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Foreign Policy
Barbara Bollier: Diplomacy is our first line of defense in national security.
Chad Taylor: Diplomatic solutions are always preferable.
Charlie Hardy: Most military people want peace-making foreign policies.
Dave Lindstrom: Focus of wars & alliances should be American interests.
Dave Lindstrom: Support of Israel benefits US strategically & economically.
Greg Orman: Eliminate our country's dependence on foreign creditors.
Joan Farr: Support American Exceptionalism.
Mark Holland: Ukraine is a key regional strategic partner of the U.S.
Pat Roberts: Opposed UN ban on discrimination against disabilities.
Randall Batson: Strongly supports maintaining U.S. sovereignty from the U.N.
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Free Trade
Barbara Bollier: Farmers don't want aid: want to sell crops and livestock.
Chad Taylor: Trade has globalized US, but also exports jobs.
Dave Lindstrom: Farmers support Trump's trade war and tariffs.
Dave Lindstrom: Supports "fair trade" benefiting Americans over "free trade".
Joan Farr: Support & expand free trade.
Mike Pompeo: 2009: free trade among nations; 2019: trade war with China.
Pat Roberts: Supports USMCA trade agreement to replace NAFTA.
Patrick Wiesner: Protect American companies against foreign dumping.
Randall Batson: Strongly supports expanding free trade.
Roger Marshall: Supported USMCA trade deal replacing NAFTA.
Roger Marshall: Trump trade deals provides certainty to farmers.
Roger Marshall: Patriotic farmers will support tariffs despite downside.
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Government Reform
Barbara Bollier: Lobbying ban for ex-officials; overturn Citizens United.
Barbara Bollier: Prevent foreign election interference in bipartisan way.
Barbara Bollier: Make it easier to vote including same-day registration.
Chad Taylor: Require open meetings for water utility rate-setting.
Dave Lindstrom: Term limits: no more than 12 years House/Senate combined.
Dave Lindstrom: Eliminate Congressional pensions, let them save up.
Dave Lindstrom: Confirm constitutionalist judges who respect Rule of Law.
Greg Orman: Ballot requirements hinder 3rd-party candidates.
Greg Orman: Ban on PACs formed by congressional leaders.
Greg Orman: 12-year term limit for Congress.
Greg Orman: Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
Joan Farr: Don't make voter registration easier.
Mark Holland: Increase access for every citizen to cast legitimate ballots.
Mark Holland: Disclose campaign donors; end gerrymandering.
Mark Holland: Our democracy hangs in the balance; must be protected.
Milton Wolf: Photo ID for voting.
Pat Roberts: 2012: No transparency of PAC donors; 2014: Some transparency.
Pat Roberts: No term limits for Congress.
Patrick Wiesner: No lobbyist-drafted bills; Senators must read all bills.
Patrick Wiesner: Lobbyists should never be allowed to draft laws, nor donate.
Randall Batson: Indifferent to stricter enforcement of the right to vote.
Roy Blunt: Carnahan's $107M wind energy project created only 16 jobs.
Roy Blunt: Took $200K from lobbyists for 2010; tops among House members.
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Gun Control
Barbara Bollier: Restrict assault rifles, impose limits on ammunition.
Chad Taylor: I'm a gun owner, but we need to enforce gun laws.
Dave Lindstrom: Guns don't create violence, might support background checks.
Dave Lindstrom: An assault rifle ban would have no effect on crime.
Greg Orman: Owns handguns but supports background checks.
Greg Orman: Don't make it easy for a convict to get guns at gun shows.
Jake LaTurner: A+ rating from NRA for passage of Constitutional Carry.
Joan Farr: Absolute right to gun ownership.
Mark Holland: We can protect right to guns and make communities safer.
Michael Soetaert: Support 2nd Amendment, renewing Assault Weapons Ban.
Milton Wolf: Opposes more gun restrictions.
Pat Roberts: Don't mess with people's right to bear arms.
Patrick Wiesner: Gun rights are limited: no concealed carry on college campus.
Randall Batson: Possess & trade firearms as owners wish.
Randall Batson: Strongly supports an absolute right to gun ownership.
Roger Marshall: Never encroach on citizens' right to defend themselves.
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Health Care
Barbara Bollier: Focus on inaccessibility of healthcare and unaffordability.
Barbara Bollier: Supports Medicaid expansion & public option.
Barry Grissom: Focus on expanding health care access and affordability.
Dave Lindstrom: Supports a market-based approach for healthcare.
Dave Lindstrom: Transparency in price and services provided helps consumers.
Dave Lindstrom: Let Medicare have power to negotiate drug prices.
Greg Orman: Futile to repeal ObamaCare while Obama is in office.
Joan Farr: Expand ObamaCare but not income-based.
Mark Holland: Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege.
Milton Wolf: ObamaCare extends "crony health care" which began in 1929.
Milton Wolf: ObamaCare turns health insurers into public utilities.
Milton Wolf: Free market solutions ALREADY work; so add more.
Milton Wolf: Apologizes for posting gruesome medical X-rays on Facebook.
Milton Wolf: Repeal ObamaCare & replace with PatientCare free market.
Pat Roberts: First to call for Sebelius resignation over ObamaCare fiasco.
Pat Roberts: Immediate and complete repeal of ObamaCare.
Patrick Wiesner: Make ObamaCare work; repeal is unlikely.
Randall Batson: Strongly opposes expanding ObamaCare.
Robin Carnahan: To repeal ObamaCare, repeal Congress plan first.
Roger Marshall: Government interferes with doctor-patient relationship.
Roger Marshall: He and family took hydroxychloroquine to prevent coronavirus.
Roy Blunt: Limit health costs by limiting medical malpractice liability.
Susan Wagle: Unconstitutional to ban church gatherings for coronavirus.
Susan Wagle: Bars Medicaid expansion without abortion restrictions.
Todd Tiahrt: FactCheck: Yes, ObamaCare levies some taxes before services.
Todd Tiahrt: Calls for Sebelius resignation over ObamaCare fiasco.
Mark Holland: Medicaid coverage for lower-income Kansans.
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Homeland Security
Barbara Bollier: Increase accountability of Veterans Administration.
Chad Taylor: Advocate of a national defense respected throughout world.
Dave Lindstrom: Military funding should be untouchable priority.
Greg Orman: Understand costs of military action, including veterans.
Jerry Moran: Military tribunals for terrorists are unconstitutional.
Jerry Moran: No constitutional rights for terrorists, categorically.
Jerry Moran: Increase security in our airports and harbors.
Joan Farr: Don't expand the military.
Michael Soetaert: I endorse & support the creation of The Department of Peace.
Milton Wolf: Maintain a superior nuclear arsenal.
Pat Roberts: $200M for new fleet of tankers at McConnell Air Force Base.
Patrick Wiesner: Served 21 years in military; 3 years in Iraq & Afghanistan.
Randall Batson: Bring our troops home; close bases overseas.
Randall Batson: Strongly opposes expanding the armed forces.
Roger Marshall: Proudly supported a 20% increase in military funding.
Roy Blunt: Amended defense bill for company donating $20,000.
Roy Blunt: FactCheck: Did not disclose student deferment from Vietnam.
Todd Tiahrt: 2006: For military tribunals to try suspected terrorists.
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Immigration
Barbara Bollier: Immigrants play a critical role in Kansas' economy.
Chad Taylor: Unmuddy the waters and create a path to citizenship.
Dave Lindstrom: National security starts with wall on southern border.
Dave Lindstrom: Build wall in some areas; use technology in other areas.
Dave Lindstrom: We need to grow, but make sure they're coming in legally.
Dave Lindstrom: No discussion of immigration reform until border secured.
Greg Orman: Illegals already here should register and pay taxes.
Greg Orman: Increase border patrols; reduce undocumented immigrant flow.
Jake LaTurner: Protect our country; build the wall.
Jerry Moran: No driver's licenses & no college discounts for illegals.
Joan Farr: Oppose pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens.
Mark Holland: We can have a secure border with smart immigration policy.
Milton Wolf: Protect the borders; prevent illegal entry.
Pat Roberts: 1986: Opposed Reagan's immigration limited amnesty bill.
Pat Roberts: Increase border patrols; reduce undocumented immigrant flow.
Patrick Wiesner: Hispanics are hard workers--but no amnesty.
Randall Batson: Benefits of citizenship only if arrived by legal means.
Randall Batson: Supports illegal immigrants earning citizenship.
Roger Marshall: Turn off magnets for migrants to enter under false pretenses.
Roger Marshall: Opposed path to citizenship for DACA participants.
Susan Wagle: President Trump is right; we must build a wall.
Todd Akin: Illegal immigrants receiving benefits is unacceptable.
Todd Tiahrt: Compassion for illegals on lower tuition, but no more.
Todd Tiahrt: I've shifted my view: build the fence on Mexican border.
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Jobs
Barbara Bollier: Raise minimum wage to a living wage.
Dave Lindstrom: Bring American manufacturing back from China.
Greg Orman: Government should create environment conducive to job growth.
Roger Marshall: Co-sponsored 2019-2020 National Right-to-Work Act.
Roger Marshall: Raising minimum wage has proven record of killing jobs.
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Principles & Values
Barbara Bollier: She didn't leave GOP; they left her.
Chad Taylor: Separation of church and state isn't a relevant issue.
Dave Lindstrom: Played on KC Chiefs; served on Turnpike Authority's board.
Dave Lindstrom: Concerned about growing embrace of socialism.
Dave Lindstrom: A vocal advocate for capitalism; socialism is a cancer.
Dave Lindstrom: America must repent & pray for an awakening and revival.
Greg Orman: We're sending the worst of both parties to Washington.
Greg Orman: 2010 Common Sense Coalition: give voice to sensible center.
Greg Orman: Fiscally conservative, socially tolerant independent.
Greg Orman: I consider myself fiscally conservative & socially tolerant.
Greg Orman: I've tried both parties and didn't like either.
Jerry Moran: I led the fight to give Republicans control of the Senate.
Joan Farr: Keep God in the public sphere.
Josh Hawley: Fight the false gospel of 'anything goes'.
Josh Hawley: Under investigation for mixing public funds with campaign.
Mark Holland: We're the greatest nation, we need to teach honest history.
Mark Holland: I firmly believe in separation of church and state.
Mark Holland: Must stand up for the Constitution after January 6.
Mark Holland: We all want meaningful work, opportunity for our children.
Milton Wolf: Obama is my cousin, but I oppose ObamaCare.
Milton Wolf: Career politicians are changed by Washington.
Milton Wolf: AdWatch: Roberts doesn't live in Kansas anymore.
Milton Wolf: OpEd: Tea Party "wolfpack" support; but no apology for X-ray.
Milton Wolf: Judeo-Christian values established our government framework.
Pat Roberts: Resides in Virginia but votes in Kansas.
Pat Roberts: Group ratings more conservative in 2014 than in 2012.
Pat Roberts: Returns home to Kansas "every time I get an opponent".
Randall Batson: Supports keeping God in the public sphere.
Randall Batson: Libertarian offers third choice between Orman and Roberts.
Roger Marshall: His nickname "Doc" disallowed on primary ballot.
Roger Marshall: Protect Church from any state efforts to restrict freedom.
Susan Wagle: We need to be a more diverse party to remain relevant.
Vicky Hartzler: Voted against certifying Biden's Electoral College victory.
Jerry Moran: Biden won in 2020, but no inquiry into Jan. 6.
Mark Holland: Respect interests of neglected rural voters.
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Social Security
Barbara Bollier: Committed to protecting Social Security & Medicare.
Chad Taylor: No privatization; but we need to discuss reforms.
Dave Lindstrom: More options on where to invest for younger generations.
Greg Orman: Lack of economic growth drains Social Security.
Joan Farr: Don't privatize Social Security.
Pat Roberts: All options for difficult choices for long term viability.
Patrick Wiesner: Raise $180B for Trust Fund by mandated bond interest rates.
Randall Batson: Opt in/opt out of payroll deduction choice.
Randall Batson: Opt in/opt out of payroll deduction choice.
Randall Batson: Strongly supports privatizing Social Security.
Robin Carnahan: Accuses opponent of voting to privatize.
Roger Marshall: Look at raising retirement age for future generations.
Roger Marshall: Introduced bill to cut taxes on Social Security benefits.
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Tax Reform
Barbara Bollier: Instead of corporate tax breaks, provide middle class relief.
Chad Taylor: Simplify tax code, but no FairTax and no national sales tax.
Dave Lindstrom: Draconian taxation robs the economy of incentives.
Jake LaTurner: Balance the budget; no tax Increases.
Jerry Moran: Voted for tax increases 12 times, and against 200 times.
Jerry Moran: Inflation Reduction Act will raise taxes on working families.
Joan Farr: Higher taxes on the wealthy.
Patrick Wiesner: Tax attorney and CPA.
Patrick Wiesner: Rewrite a new simpler tax code, but hire more IRS staff.
Patrick Wiesner: A new simpler code is needed; but IRS needs more staff.
Patrick Wiesner: As CPA, I'll be the Senate expert on the tax code.
Randall Batson: Replace income tax with FairTax national sales tax.
Randall Batson: Strongly opposes higher taxes on the wealthy.
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Technology
Dave Lindstrom: Rural broadband must be a top priority.
Dave Lindstrom: Revisit libel laws & media protections.
Dave Lindstrom: Make critical infrastructure a priority.
Jerry Moran: $383 million per year to help build highways and bridges.
Pat Roberts: Risk of identity theft higher with advanced tech.
Patrick Wiesner: Immediately start work on roads, bridges, and airports.
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War & Peace
Chad Taylor: Sanctions on Iran are working; no further military action.
Chad Taylor: Air patrols on Syria ok; no deeper involvement.
Dave Lindstrom: Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism in the world.
Dave Lindstrom: Measure military success with clearly articulable goals.
Jim Slattery: Roberts should have known Iraq intelligence was inaccurate.
Jim Slattery: Roberts delayed prewar intelligence to justify war in Iraq.
Joan Farr: Avoid foreign entanglements.
Pat Roberts: Whole world believed Iraq intelligence was accurate.
Pat Roberts: I led exposure of pre-Iraq war intelligence failures.
Patrick Wiesner: Protection of Iraqi oil reserves is a vital US interest.
Patrick Wiesner: It's up to the US to completely defeat ISIS.
Randall Batson: Strongly supports staying out of Iran.
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Welfare & Poverty
Jake LaTurner: Work requirements and drug testing for welfare recipients.
Patrick Wiesner: Change housing policy to avoid taking on more debt.
Roger Marshall: Work requirement for able-bodied adults on food stamps.
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