8th Congressional hopefuls debate immigration, Iraq, health care
By Bob Susnjara | Daily Herald



http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=97533&src=4


Illegal immigration, the Iraq war and health care were among the issues that arose during a forum with three congressional candidates Monday night.

Republicans Steve Greenberg of Long Grove and Gurnee residents Ken Arnold and Kirk Morris are competing in the 8th Congressional District primary Feb. 5. The district spans Cook, Lake and McHenry counties.

At Monday night's debate at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, illegal immigration was the first topic addressed by the candidates.

Morris, 49, said existing technology should be used to secure the U.S.-Mexican border. He also advocated providing more financial resources to local police so they can have deportation powers if they encounter illegal immigrants involved in a crime.

Arnold, 51, said he'd push for better enforcement of illegal immigration laws already on the books.

"I've been on the front line," Arnold told about 50 spectators in the college's conference center. "I'm a Minuteman -- the only one in this race."

Greenberg, 36, said he'd push for completion of a barrier between the United States and Mexico to deter illegal immigrants.

On Iraq, the three Republicans agreed Congress shouldn't set a timetable for U.S. troops to exit the country. They also said the troop surge is working in Iraq.

"The job of war is a very serious one," Morris said.

When questioned about health care, Greenberg called it "the biggest domestic battle we have today." He said he'd seek easy and accessible health insurance choices, with the free market providing the solutions instead of the federal government.

"We have far too many people who see government as Mommy and Daddy," Greenberg said at the event moderated by Nunda Township Republican Chairman Blake Hobson.

Morris said he'd encourage establishment of portable health insurance Americans could bring from one job to another. He said the federal government doesn't need to further dabble in health care.

Arnold said more consumer information about health insurance should be provided. He said government's place in health care is in "setting the table" for the private sector to do its job.

Greenberg is a former minor league hockey player whose family franchises the Ben Franklin variety store chain.

Morris, a sales executive for a biofuels manufacturing company, was galvanized to run for Congress after his son, Geoffrey, died while fighting for the Marines in 2004.

Arnold, a senior benefit plan management consultant, made an unsuccessful bid for an 8th Congressional District seat in the 2006 GOP primary.

On the Democratic side, incumbent Melissa Bean of Barrington is up against Lindenhurst activist Randi Scheurer in the Feb. 5 primary. Moderate Party candidate Iain Abernathy doesn't have a primary opponent.