Pulse of the voters: Area residents give thoughts on presidential hopefuls, issues

May 25-- May 25--President Donald Trump now appears to be the leader of the Republican Party, with most of the GOP opposition melted or purged. Undecided is who will be his 2020 opponent. The Democrats face a choice between shades of moderate, liberal and so-called progressive candidates in the crowd of wannabes pursuing the party's nomination.

The Jacksonville Progress recently asked a few area folks what they think about the presidential hopefuls and the upcoming 2020 election.

Question and Answers:

NAME: David and Lynda Litterst of Jacksonville

Q: What subjects do you want presidential hopefuls to talk about and support? Affordable Healthcare; Medicare (to be continued as it is or improve it); Gun Control (preserve Second Amendment)

Q: As a voter, what are your biggest concerns for the 2020 presidential election? Defeat Socialism!

Q: Combating climate change or not;

greater reliance on alternative energy sources? Climate change is a political football; Oil and Gas are the cheapest energy sources and can be found right here in the USA.

Q: College debt burden and free tuition? If one can't afford to go to college without accumulating debt, perhaps it would be wiser to approach the goal of a higher education a little at the time. By acquiring a job (even a low-paying job) and taking courses as one could afford them would obviously take a lot more time; but, this slow train would get you to the same destination with no debt waiting for you at the terminal.

Q: Divided government, helpful or not?There are at least three verses in the Bible that address this very subject: Luke 11:17; Matthew 12:25; Mark 3:24-26. Abraham Lincoln knew this in 1858 when he said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Perhaps we should heed these words today--before it is too late.

Q: Mueller Report and other investigations of the president? Mueller investigated and reported; Barr gave his decision; THE END!

Q: Health Care issues, including prescription drug prices and Medicare for all? Pharmaceutical companies need to be reigned in ASAP. Medicare for ALL is totally unaffordable.

Q: Stricter gun control laws, including assault weapon ban? Gun control laws WILL NOT help. Count us in as being AGAINST an assault weapon ban.

Q: Social issues, including abortion, same-sex marriage, transgender bathrooms, #me too movement? We defer to the Bible on these issues.

NAME: Peggy Thigpen of Jacksonville

The subject that is crucial to me is the national debt. How can we continue to fund our nation with borrowed money, yet give money away in subsidies?

Not sure if this is on the platform, but I am for term limits in Congress and Senate.

Q: Alternative energy sources? Fossil fuels will not last forever. Whatever happened to hydro-electric power? And using ocean tides to generate energy? And why aren't we investing in de-salination of ocean water for drinking water?

Q: College debt? Where did people get the idea that college was a free ride? And they would not be held accountable for repaying those outrageous loans. They obviously did not think and plan ahead.

Q: Immigration? f we keep killing all our babies, we will have no one to employ in industry. Most of us would not be here if immigration had been restricted! Use some guidelines, but let the people into our shrinking population.

Q: Gun control? Ban all assault weapons and have stricter monitoring of gun sales.

The social issues are my where I have the strongest concerns. I have always opposed abortion, but late-term abortion and killing babies that 'accidentally' survive is monstrous. The #metoo movement had its place. Gender specific bathrooms. Phooey. In women's restrooms, you are behind closed doors. That's enough privacy for misguided individuals.

NAME: Pat Graham of Jacksonville

Q: What subjects to you want presidential hopefuls to talk about and support?

A: I would like the candidates to address subjects that concern Americans in a peaceful, respectful way rather than in an adversarial way that divides us.

Q: As a voter, what is your biggest concerns for the 2020 presidential election?

A: I am fearful that there is much voter fraud from numerous sources. We need better voter I.D. that is uniform in all states.

Q: College debt burden and free college tuition?

A: Colleges are too expensive and leave students with unreasonable burdens in the current job market. Some high schools offer an associate degree which reduces the total cost of a Bachelors degree.

Q: Mueller report and other investigations of the president?

A: The last thing our country needs is more investigations. We need Congress to work together and earn their salaries that they were elected to do.

Q: Health care issues, including prescription drug prices and Medicare for all?

A: Health care is important to everyone. Prescription drug prices are too expensive for people that need them. Any new healthcare plan should include Congress and government workers at the very least.

Q: Immigration reform, fate of DACA immigrants and border wall?

A: Our borders need to be secured. The rules of immigration should be followed. We need to address DACA and not leave these folks in limbo.

Q: Trump-GOP tax cut law. Dem push for middle class tax cut?

A: The law-abiding citizens are the first ones taxed and the last ones considered. Local, state and federal taxes are out of control.

Q: Stricter gun control laws, including assault weapons ban?

A: The current gun laws need to be enforced uniformly.

Q: Tariffs, trade and foreign policies with China and Russia; anti-nuke talks with North Korea?

A: We need fair trade policies, so Americans are not losing jobs to other countries. We need to continue talks with China, Russia, North Korea to be productive and promote peace.

NAME: Steve Ellison of Mena, Arkansas (guest religion columnist)

Q: As a voter, what is your biggest concerns for the 2020 presidential election? Sanctity of Life

Q: Combating climate change or not? Greater reliance on alternative energy sources?

A: Greater care in seeing that government research grants do not go exclusively to those who "toe the party line."

Q: College debt burden and free college tuition?

A: Encourage trade schools. Stop pushing all toward college. Do not pay any college debts as that encourages people to attend who do not intend to apply themselves.

Q: Divided government, helpful or not?

A: Obstructionism is not helpful.

Q: Mueller report and other investigations of the president.?

A: Accept the results of the election and get to constructive governing.

Q: Health care issues, including prescription drug prices and Medicare for all?

A: Less government involvement.

Q: Immigration reform, fate of DACA immigrants and border wall?

A: Secure the border. Then, work on immigration justice and fairness.

Q: Trump-GOP tax cut law. Dem push for middle class tax cut?

A: Simplify, simplify, cut, cut, for all.

Q: Stricter gun control laws, including assault weapons ban?

A: Help bring about the understanding that the 2nd Amendment is not about hunting or recreation but rather to provide citizens with some opportunity to protect themselves from the government.

Q: Social issues, including abortion, same-sex marriage, transgender bathrooms, #metoo movement?

A: Protect all life. Uphold a traditional, biblical understanding of marriage and human sexuality. All are created in the image of God.

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