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The delegates responded to these other questions:
What inspired you to become a delegate?
Substantive Political debate, or just one big corporate-sponsored party?
Is the "Party of Bill Clinton" the party of all Democrats?
A question from Fred Bergstrom,
Anchorage, AL:Taxes and Growth
I was very pleased with the deficit reduction program enacted during the first congressional term by President Clinton and the Democratic Congress. It was a combination of spending reductions and tax increases, the type of combined approach I thought was needed. The President now seems to be adopting the unrealistic approach of cutting taxes and reducing the deficit at the same time...an approach that the Republicans are pushing. Are the Democrats going to adopt the Republican mentality, or are they going to hold firm?
Governor Parris Glendening, Annapolis, MD
First, I am also very pleased with the tremendous results that the Clinton Administration has achieved in deficit reduction in less than four years. They have cut the deficit almost in half. They have done that by making hard budget decisions. I am convinced the President will continue to reduce the deficit. He is not going to sacrifice everything that is important to us on the altar of a tax cut at all costs.
I do think the administration's program to help parents of college students pay for tuition by tax credits is a reasonable approach and addresses the one issue that most middle class families face -- how are they are going to put their children through college. The Clinton tax credits will help, and at the same time not rely on the excessive tax cuts proposed by the Republican nominee--cuts which would certainly put us back on the road to increased deficits.
Enid Goubeaux, Greenville, Ohio
I disagree with you that President Clinton is abandoning his deficit reduction program which is historic is its proportion--60%- and which was achieved without a single Republican vote. He is now calling for modest targeted tax cuts which invest in human capital and aid working families. These cuts will be fully paid for by means which have been spelled out in detail. The Democrats can be proud to wear the mantle of fiscal responsibility, in contrast with the Republicans who are embarked on a rerun of their failed borrow and spend sideshow.
Susan Swift, Palestine, Texas
Most of our platform will stand the same as the 1992 platform, but we will make some changes. These changes start at the local level and are discussed at the county and state levels before getting here. And, unlike Republicans, we don't hide from our platform. The National conventions offer an opportunity for us to get to meet other politically interested folks all across the country. It also helps re-energize the delegates after some hard-fought primaries.
Art Noonan, Butte, Montana
In this day and age there is no way that any Government can avoid the discussion of controlled Government costs and national deficits. The real issue is how will the deficit reduction be achieved. Not many folks remember that President Clinton proposed a "jobs bill" first, and that the bill was defeated at the beginning of this Congress by the Republicans.
This type of jobs creation should have accompanied the money bills. Regardless of what folks say, the reduction of the national debt is a matter of establishing what is important. I personally am more comfortable with Democratic juggling of these numbers more than the Republican. I do not believe that President Clinton will abandon those core ideals that will mean that traditional programs for the poor and needy, or our children, will be abandoned.
Kathryn G. Mausolf, Glenwood Springs, CO
The Clinton Administration is still on the same road of deficit reduction and investing in America's future, not necessarily the tax reduction as proposed by the Republicans. We will see how his program is structured during his speech on Thursday night.
The Democrats will never adopt the Republican mentality, as the differences are very clear. Be sure to watch the convention to hear the Democratic message.
Jim Burg, Pierre, South Dakota
I feel Democrats will hold firm, and keep the emphasis on deficit reduction at the same time maintaining essential services. I feel it is ridiculous to cut taxes before we get spending under control.
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