Daily Lobo - Pearce Says Congress Must Address Taxes, Economy

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Daily Lobo - Pearce Says Congress Must Address Taxes, Economy

Rep. Steve Pearce said UNM students need to recognize the importance of the 2008 election.

Pearce is running against Rep. Tom Udall for a seat on New Mexico's U.S. Senate delegation.

Pearce said the two issues Congress needs to address are the economy - including the energy crisis - and taxes.

Pearce said addressing student issues is vital to his plan for the economy.

"Loan programs are basically drying up," Pearce said. "I have tried to pass a bill that would allow students to get more money from loans, regardless of what is going on outside of the University or in the U.S. economy."

He said taxes are a key part of his platform, and he would never want to raise them.

"It is really simple - tax cuts mean more jobs, and tax increases means less jobs," he said.

He also said raising taxes could push the economy into a recession.

"I believe that cutting taxes - and putting the money into the pockets of the families to control what they do - is more important than allowing the federal government to have control," Pearce said.

He said that along with putting money into the pockets of the average American, he would try to lower the price of gas.

"There is no quick fix for the energy crisis, but there are short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions that can be looked into," Pearce said. "The short-term would be to cure the gas prices by drilling more off-shore and here on American soil to lower the amount of gas prices and put money into the pockets of the Americans."

He said it is also key to find ways to drill for oil that will minimize effects on the environment.

Dominic Longoria, a senior at UNM, said he will not be voting for Pearce because of his drilling policies.

"Plain and simple, I think that the 'drill here, drill now' idea is dumb," Longoria said. "No matter what, expanding refineries is going to take time, and that time could be going into a renewable resource rather than spending the money to invest in a drying up resource."

Longoria said Udall offers a better way to help students pay for college.

"My father is a veteran of the Vietnam War," Longoria said. "The new G.I. Bill is absolutely amazing in the sense that even if a veteran doesn't use the money, they can still give it to a child to help them go through college."

Alicia Pompa, a junior at UNM, said she will be voting for Pearce.

"Basing my opinions off of his policy, and as a die-hard conservative, I really like what he stands for when it comes to the war in Iraq, the environment, health care and jobs," she said.

Pompa said Pearce can bring a new look to the table in Washington, D.C.

"I think people are intimidated to vote for another Republican, but Rep. Pearce's policies are new, and I think that he will do a good job," she said.

When it comes to the war in Iraq, Pearce said the U.S. has good reason to stay.

"In the economic terms of the world, Egypt and Jordan have both said that if we pull out of Iraq that Iraq will fall," Pearce said. "If Iraq gets overrun by extremists, it will be only a matter of days before Israel falls, too."

Pearce said it is vital for the U.S. to maintain its presence in Iraq in order to secure American oil supplies.

"I wish we weren't in this war. I really do," Pearce said. "But it's important that we maintain our presence so that gas doesn't rise to $50 or more a barrel, or maybe have it not available at all."

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