Conservative Presidential Candidate John Cox makes "whistle stop" in Decorah

This article originally appeared in The Decorah Newspapers:
http://www.decorahnewspaper.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=10&ArticleID=15458

By Lissa Greiner

John Cox (right) visits with Dick Zak of Cresco. (Decorah Newspapers photo by Lissa Greiner)

Republican presidential candidate John Cox wants to hear what Iowans have to say.

The conservative candidate from Illinois made a stop in Decorah Tuesday as part of his "whistle stop" campaign tour across Iowa.

"I'm somebody who is going to talk to the American people like people, not just give them a sound bite," said Cox.

About Cox

Cox, 51, was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Ill. by his single mother, Priscilla.

Despite a financially challenged childhood, Cox went on to careers as an attorney and accountant. He founded an investment advisory firm, a real estate management company and a venture capital firm.

In the 1990s, he led an investment group which purchased Jay's Foods, the makers of Jay's Potato Chips, and saved 600 local jobs, turning the business around and selling it back to the original owners.

A longtime Republican activist, he has served as the president of the Cook County Republican party, helped with former Housing Secretary Jack Kemp's presidential run in 1988 and ran for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in 2002. In March of 2006, he announced his candidacy for president.

Traveling Iowa

Decorah was Cox's second stop for the day, sandwiched between visits to Waukon and Cresco.

While in Decorah, he spent about an hour at the Family Table Restaurant, visiting with patrons as well as owners Scott and Stacy Gossling, and their children, Chloe and Nick.

Cox, who considers himself both a fiscal and social conservative, talked about a variety of issues which concern Americans.

Family farms

On the question of how to help family farmers, Cox said he would first get rid of the tax code.

"I would cut the regulatory nightmare farmers have to go through. I would end oil subsidies and end ethanol subsidies, because ethanol can't compete with the way oil companies are being subsidized," he said.

"It's a bidding war over whoever can pay most to the politician. The small farmer gets squeezed."

Cox went on to say only 10 percent of farmers receive 75 percent of farm subsidies.

"They game the system and know how to get it. Then subsidies push up the price of the product, which pushes up the price of the land," he said.

"We've got to give farmers a chance to make a living. Gas prices are too high. If Iraq was pumping what they should be, we'd be paying $40 per barrel of oil instead of $72," said Cox.

Cox added part of the problem is that politicians haven't enforced antitrust laws ... A lot of companies, instead of using profits and finding new sources of energy, buy other companies. It's easy and they get tax breaks. They get top line revenue, cut expenses and report a huge increase in profits.

Immigration

Cox said Bush's policy on immigration is "a shining example of people putting expediency in front of long-term goals."

"We need to look beyond the next 12 months to the next 12 years. My answer to immigration would be to replace the people who cut in line with the people who are waiting in line. It seems like the easiest, best, fairest solution," he said.

Cox said he lost faith in Bush when he called America racist for opposing his immigration plan.

"I just want the law enforced ... It's not going to solve the problem if we ignore the law, just putting it off until another 20 years from now. Shame on the president for trying to shove that down our throats," he said.

Health care

Cox said only competition in health care will bring down the cost of health care.

When asked how he feels about Michael Moore and his new film "Sicko," which laments American health care policies and procedures, Cox answered, "I thank God for Michael Moore. I don't listen to him or watch his movies, but he is bringing up good issues.

"The free market is the best way to bring down prices (of health care) and bring up quality. Obama, Edwards and Hillary all fall over themselves to make promises they can't keep and we know they can't deliver," he said.

"More competion is the answer."

Pro-life

Cox, who refers to himself as a "true" conservative, said he was raised Catholic and has been a pro-life activist most of his life.

"My mom was a single mom. If abortion had been legal in 1955, she would have taken me out. She's glad the law forced her to have me," he said.

Other issues

With regard to the war in Iraq, Cox feels if America can build up Iraq's economy and return oil production to full capacity, Iraq will become self-sufficient and troops won't be needed.

"A prosperous people do not turn to terrorism," said Cox.

Cox feels the IRS could be eliminated, calling the tax system counterproductive, too complicated and time consuming.

"As president, I will seek to eliminate the "death tax," and will veto all tax increase proposals.

Cox added government spending is out of control.

"As president, I will veto every federal budget that is not balanced. Period."