Candidates discuss wide variety of topics
The forum was sponsored by the
The Republican candidates included
Immigration reform
Making changes to America's immigration system and policy is a top concern for the five Republican candidates.
Stockstill said societal change needs to happen in the heart of the American people in order to fix illegal immigration.
"Currently, there is a huge demand for illegal immigrants. You could say there's not, but they are getting jobs when they come to
Harris disagreed, saying that
"Whether it's a bricks a mortar wall, or a fence, or drones, or more border security -- we have to secure the southern border," Harris said. "We need a merit-based system where we look at the people that are coming in. Do you speak English? What is your educational background? What kind of job do you want to work? Education is very important."
Dahm also agreed that the southern border must be secured, but American welfare reform must also take place.
"The one true thing that I think will have substantial long-term immigration effects... is welfare reform," Dahm said. "We have people who are coming into this country illegally that then are on SNAP benefits, TANF benefits, they are getting food stamps, Medicaid. They are getting these benefits paid in cash. If we eliminate that incentive, tighten up those restrictions, if we make it where they cannot get those, it would be harder for them to come here illegally."
Hern said the best thing America can do is build the wall, where we can.
"I've talked to the
Coleman said there is not an easy answer to immigration because it is a comprehensive problem.
"If there was only one thing I could do, I would change the welfare system that rewards and incentivises people to come here illegally and benefit tremendously. You do that, and you cut out a big part of the problem," Coleman said. "But this is a comprehensive problem, and it requires a comprehensive solution in that we also have to police our border, have that wall -- that physical barrier to prevent people from being carted over deserts with predatory people."
Affordable Care Act
While many in
Coleman said it's time for a free-market approach to get the federal government out of healthcare.
"Obamacare really has hurt a lot of
Stockstill said the Affordable Care Act has nothing to do with healthcare, it has everything to do with insurance and it needs to be repealed.
"I would like to see more transparency, more visibility on (medical) billing and then we can attack the idea of insurance versus healthcare from there," Stockstill said.
Harris would like to see more competition for healthcare plans via interstate commerce and private purchasing co-ops.
"If we allow the free market that the (Constitutional) framers appreciated so much to run with this, it will lower the cost," Harris said. "Secondly, we have to rein in Medicaid. Originally it was for the elderly and the unwed mothers. We have now expanded that so that it's the tripartite leg of what could possibly bring us down. We cannot have the abuse in Medicaid that we have."
Dahm said government needs to be out of the healthcare business, period.
"Government is interfering way too much in our personal affairs," Dahm said. "We need to get government out of the medical sphere and return it to the private sector."
Hern said he wants to adopt a plan from 2007 that former Sen.
"Under the plan, you would be able to put as much money into your healthcare as you want when you are young and use it when you are older," Kern said. "There would be no cap and you could let it grow so that you can use it and have a free market approach."
___
(c)2018 the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise (Bartlesville, Okla.)
Visit the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise (Bartlesville, Okla.) at www.examiner-enterprise.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Paul Ryan: Tax overhaul, military funding boost to help, future lawmakers must rein in Medicare, Medicaid
Magellan Health Provides Free Counseling Services and Referrals to Local Community Resources to Individuals after Flooding in Hawai’i
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News