Online Interview With Rep. Dick Gephardt

Interview With Rep. Dick Gephardt

If you haven't already read the agenda and our news reporting on the Democrats' chances to win Congress back from the Republicans, you can read the articles linked on the left side of the screen.

Our first question tonight comes from Patrick Ruffini, who writes:

Rep. Gephardt, since you seem to have modeled your agenda after the Contract with America, I was surprised to see that you didn't guarantee a specific implementation timeline (as the Republicans did with the 100 days). While I'm sure you wouldn't care to repeat what they did, how are the people of this country to make sure that you kept your promise in full? Would you set a timeline for votes on the points of your agenda?

Rep. Gephardt:
Patrick: The reason we did not set a timeline it that we wanted todo our agenda our agenda in two years. We felt an artificial 100 day agenda would make no sense.

Christopher Johnson, WashingtonPost.com:
Rep. Gephardt, we have two questions about the real dollar costs of the programs proposed by in the Families First agenda.

First, Dave Bartelli asks: How much will be the total loss of tax revenue from the proposed tax credits for education, and will this tax credit be availiable for families of all income levels?

And Glenn G. Hassell writes: You claim that your agenda does not offer a new bureaucratic program for every problem we face and that it does not propose massive spending programs. However, out of the 22 items on the agenda 20 call for either greater government interference or massively higher spending or both. If you give away money, you have to get it from somewhere.

How much will the agenda cost Americans and where will you find the funding to pay for it?

Rep. Gephardt:
Dave: We do not have an accurate estimate on the loss of tax revenue. I should have one by the end of this week. The tax credit would be available to every family.

Glenn: The Families First agenda is entirely consistent with the President's Balanaced Budget plan. The costs are completely offset by the spending cuts in the Plan. Therefore, the money for the Plan comes from cuts in the budget in other places.

Christopher Johnson, WashingtonPost.com:
Linda Springrose writes: Congressman Gephardt, I live in your district within the city limits of St. Louis and notice the problems spoken of in the Families First plan every day I step out my door. With respect to the crime portion of your plan, prevention through education is the key. I believe that a main portion of this education should be in the schools, obviously starting at the elementary level. 1) How would this plan address the disparity between the public education available between city and county school districts? I am sure you are aware of the vast difference between a city education and a county education in St. Louis, and I know that St. Louis is by no means the only city with such a disparity. 2) Would this plan include attempts at reform for juvenile crime?

Rep. Gephardt:
Linda: Your question is an excellent one. We have two provisions in our agenda that would help education in the City of St. Louis. First, we offer assistance to local school distrticts to form after school programs in all sschools. Second, we offer help for the Safe and Drug Free School program that has been so successful.

Christopher Johnson, WashingtonPost.com:
Charles R. Jackson writes: I have a special interest in posing this question to you, since I'm a longtime constituent of yours in Missouri C.D. 3. Will the Democrats in Congress also fight for federal retirees' right to receive their earned and guaranteed retirement income -- including COLAs? Will you help us in our stand for COLA equity -- and end the unfair COLA delay that currently only Civil Service retirees have to bear?

Rep. Gephardt:
Charles: Thank you for your question. I fully support COLA equity for Federal retirees. The Republisan budgets have cut COLA's for retirees. I oppose this inequity.

Christopher Johnson, WashingtonPost.com:
Larry Yandel writes: How will the "Families First" campaign help those families that are disrupted and sometimes destroyed by government and private sector layoffs? The FF campaign will put welfare recipients to work, can you put men and women who have worked all their lives back to work and maintain their dignity?

Rep. Gephardt:
Larry: One proposal in the FF Agenda that does create jobs is a porposal for state infrastructure banks that will leverage bonds to build many needed local public works projects. This should create many jobs for laid off workers.

Christopher Johnson, WashingtonPost.com:
Several users are concerned about keeping health care affordable for all Americans. Noel C. Gordon writes: Mr. Gephardt, A national health care program is still urgently needed by the nation. Is there any hope that even a Congress retaken by the Democrats will actually author and pass a comprehensive plan for national health care/insurance?

Rep. Gephardt:
Noel: Given our failure to pass a comprehensive health plan in 1994 I do not believe we should quickly try another comprehensive plan. We do propose a kids only plan that includes a tax deduction to help people buy the plans.

Christopher Johnson, WashingtonPost.com:
David Alpert asks a question I think many Internet users would like to know the answer to:

Pundits have touted the Internet as an unprecedentedly democratic and participatory medium, capable of bringing the people closer to the democratic process, or perhaps, exacerbating the cynicism that the American voter feels.

Do you think the Internet will be used in the campaigns of the 21st century to enrich or damage the democratic process? What role(s) do you envision technology playing in the politics of the future?

Rep. Gephardt:
Dave: My hope is that increased ability to communicate with political figures will increase interest in and participation in the political process. Eventually I forsee voting on the internet which will lead to much more direct democracy.

Christopher Johnson, WashingtonPost.com:
Rep. Gephardt needs to wrap up the discussion. Here's a final question. When will the bulk of this legislation be proposed, and have any Republicans signed on to the Families First agenda yet?

Rep. Gephardt:
Chris: The legislation will be finally introduced at the start of next year when the Democrats again control the House. No Republicans have signed on but I believe we can get Republican votes for many of these proposals.

Christopher Johnson, WashingtonPost.com:
That concludes our online discussion. If you would like to write to Rep. Gephardt through electronic mail, you can send a message to demldr@hr.house.gov. Thanks to all who joined us.

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