Gordon Heslop

Education The cost of higher education in recent years has increased much faster than the general rate of inflation. A bachelor's degree needs to become a three-year degree rather than a four-year degree. This would reduce the total cost by 25%. The traditional first year can be covered in high school, as it currently is by many students. Additional cost savings could be made by decreasing the number of administrators, whose numbers have increased far faster than student numbers. This is especially true because administrators are paid much more than the instructors who actually teach the students. At the high school level, we need large numbers of students leaving high school after the 10th grade and entering trade schools or apprenticeships. We have a severe shortage of skilled trades workers. Also, income levels are higher than they are for many university graduates in low demand fields. Housing There is an urgent need for more housing in the U.S. and a need for an increased percentage of home ownership and a decrease in the average age of the first-time home buyer. If elected, I will be very focused on providing starter homes for thousands of people in the 8th district. I have a plan with some innovative features. So many people are paying rents of from $1,000 up to $2,000 per month. My plan would provide homes for less than $1,000 per month. Owning a home provides certainty, dignity, and stability. It also freezes the monthly payment so there is no threat of rent increases or having to move to a different apartment. For those with children it allows the children to return to the same home every day, year after year, unless you buy a new home, and to build relationships in the community. Healthcare I am opposed to a national universal government run health care system due to its inefficiency and potential for fraud. The recently exposed massive fraud in some government run programs in Minnesota is a perfect example of the fraud which is more common in government operated areas than exist in the private sector. Obamacare needs to be abolished, and a return made to the private market. In medicine, prevention is cheaper than a cure. In that regard I have a couple of suggestions of specific government provided services which are very limited in scope and therefore also in cost and which are fraud resistant. Age levels would be determined by medical experts, but I will use 50 years old as an example. All citizens and permanent residents would be eligible for a yearly blood test, accessed by social security number and available anywhere in the country and without visiting a doctor first. Results would be sent to each individual, and their doctor (if desired). Such a system would save unneeded doctor visits if the results were normal but identify problems if indicated by test results. For males, the PSA test would be included. For females, a separate mammogram test would be provided. Tests for those under 50 would be provided less frequently, as determined by medical experts. With this program there would be no possibility of adding other tests to charge more. People would register online and then report to the testing center, for example on a Saturday morning. The program would be done under contract and easily audited because the number of registrations would need to match the number of tests given and then the number of reports issued by the analysis center. Cost efficiencies would be gained by the mass volume of people receiving a quick standardized test and the saving in doctors' time. The vital information provided to each person would definitely improve health care, in some cases providing a service which many people have never had or have not had for a long time. A healthy citizen is the desired result. Government Reform Federal government shutdowns should not occur. Citizens have a right to expect access to government services at all times. A simple way to prevent shutdowns is to have a law which approves government funding to continue at existing levels until new funding is approved by Congress. Economy All tariffs on food need to be abolished because they have increased food costs for all consumers. Lowering fuel costs would also help decrease food costs as transportation costs account for a significant part of the total cost of all products. Taxes / Budget The middle class must not pay a higher rate of tax than higher earners.