Republican 2nd Congressional District candidate Tim Bridgewater's responses to the Deseret Morning News

Republican 2nd Congressional District candidate Tim Bridgewater's responses to the Deseret Morning News questionnaire:

1. What is the major issue facing Utah today and how would you deal with it?

Erosion of the economic and moral strength of our communities is the issue most troubling to our nation's lasting prosperity. America has been built on a sound economic and traditional values platform.

Economically we must free the entrepreneurs to succeed in this country and build wealth here by (a) eliminating the onerous tax system and replacing it with a national sales tax or fair flat tax (including charitable and home mortgage deductions), (b) repairing a broken medical system, (c) lowering the government regulatory burdens and (d) cutting capital gains taxes to zero if profits are reinvested in American industry.

Morally, we must view public policy from a family oriented perspective, recognizing that the traditional family and accompanying values have provided Americans with a stable economic and social structure of stability. I will fight against further erosion of these fundamental strengths in order to shore up our communities to create jobs and a stable structure ensuring lasting prosperity.

2. Do you favor or oppose a U.S. constitutional amendment that would define marriage between a man and a woman? If yes, why? If no, why?

Yes, I would vote in favor of this amendment. As referenced in No. 1 above, the fabric of our nation is unravelling. Utah values are under attack in America, and a congressman that can articulate why this particular issue among other family issues not only undermines the social structure but also adversely impacts the economic strength of our country is needed in the halls of Washington.

3. Do you favor or oppose allowing U.S. citizens to buy prescription drugs from other countries, like Canada. If not, what can be done to quickly reduce the cost of prescription medicines in the United States?

I favor allowing U.S. citizens to buy legal prescription drugs outside of the U.S.

4. How much longer should U.S. troops be in Iraq?

The current plan will require a U.S. presence for the next two years, assuming the Iraqi government does not want the U.S. to leave sooner.

At this time, do you favor or oppose spending as much money as President Bush requests on the Iraqi war?