Folkens fights from outside
Teacher runs for Baca's seat
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 05/24/2008 09:09:52 PM PDT


A high-school teacher says if voters give him 10 years in Congress, he'll bring change to the 43rd District.
Scott Folkens is running in the Republican primary June 3 against Fontana Councilman John Roberts. The winner, in all likelihood, gets to face Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, in November.

Folkens, who believes in term limits, said Friday he wants to use his office to uphold conservative moral values in the district, unlike Baca, who he says doesn't represent the type of people who live here.

"He's a Hispanic Catholic who doesn't represent Hispanics or Catholics," Folkens said Friday.

The 46-year-old said he wants to take control of school districts out of the hands of federal and state governments and hand it back to parents and local school boards.

He's in favor of closed borders, says the government needs to enforce immigration laws already on the books, and would do away with "anchor babies" by amending the 14th Amendment so that babies born in the country to illegal immigrants don't automatically become citizens.

Folkens also wants to do away with what he called "freebies" - any service enjoyed for free by illegal immigrants.

"The fact that an illegal immigrant can go to Valley College cheaper than a returning veteran is ridiculous," he said.

He said Roberts is part of "the good-old-boy system" of local politics. "He's a part of the establishment problem," said Folkens. "I'm the small school teacher with no money, and I've never received money from Lewis Homes."

Roberts said Friday his record in the city stands.

"I've done a lot of things for the people of Fontana, and I have nothing to apologize for," he said. "If you've never made public-policy decisions in your career, I guess you have nothing better than to take jabs at people who have."

Folkens says his experience teaching history and legislation gives him better insight into the vision the founding fathers had for the country, unlike entrenched elected officials.

He also said his Christian values have propelled him to run for office.

"I don't do this to be popular," he said. "We've lost the moral foundation."


http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_9373325