Bass, Hodes want fuel solution

Developing renewable energy sources is a priority for Republican Rep. Charlie Bass and a matter of national security to Democrat Paul Hodes.

"I'd like to see the day, as soon as possible, when nobody can accuse us of going to war over oil because we're energy independent," Hodes said. "If we're serious about our national security, we must have energy independence."

Both candidates in the 2nd Congressional District support tax incentives to stimulate the development of alternative fuels and say current federal efforts are not enough.

"Compared to the kind of tax breaks we're giving to traditional energy producers, it's nothing," said Bass, 54, the six-term incumbent from Peterborough. He advocated a better balance of incentives to alternative energy producers and oil and gas companies, but did not give dollar amounts. Bass said legislation he has backed in the past is making alternative energy more attractive to investors and consumers.

"As society begins to adjust to the fact that there are benefits associated with renewable energy resources - despite the fact that you have to look at a wind turbine - there will be more local support for the economic as well as the social comfort that comes from energy resources that are renewable," Bass said.

The two commented in separate interviews with the Associated Press.

Hodes, 55, a Concord lawyer, argues the country should commit $30 billion a year for 10 years to renewable energy development. "It will pay huge dividends," he predicted. The investment would stimulate jobs, reinvigorate the nation's auto industry, reduce air pollution and begin to address global warming, he said.

To pay for it, Hodes said he would work to end subsidies to gas and oil companies, close tax loopholes that protect offshore companies, end the Bush tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans, and withdraw from Iraq.

On health care, Hodes also proposes more federal involvement.

"It is a national crisis," he said. "The federal government needs to take a hand in solving the crisis and helping the free markets do what they cannot or will not do for themselves."

Hodes said he's open to a variety of solutions, but one would be to allow people to buy into the federal health program that covers federal employees and members of Congress.

Bass argues this proposed remedy would cost taxpayers trillions of dollars and put government bureaucrats between people and their doctors.

Hodes disagrees, noting that administrative costs have skyrocketed under for-profit health insurers while the federal program has far lower costs.

Allowing people to buy into the federal program would introduce "instant competition" with the for-profit insurers to reduce costs, he said.

Bass agreed the cost of health insurance is a problem. He advocates solutions including making it harder to sue doctors to reduce medical malpractice costs, greater use of health savings accounts, greater deductibility of insurance premiums, continued funding of community health centers and allowing small businesses to band together to buy insurance. He said those reforms should reduce the number of people who are uninsured, though he couldn't say by how many.

"All address certain facets of health care for different types of individuals under different circumstances," he said.

Bass and Hodes differ most dramatically on taxes, the economy and helping the working poor.

Bass wants to extend the Bush tax cuts across the board, saying they're helping the working poor and are essential to expanding the economy. He said government programs already help low-income workers, including the earned income tax credit, the child tax credit, community health centers and Pell grants for college tuition. He opposes raising the minimum wage, arguing this would hurt young workers.

By ANNE SAUNDERS

The Associated Press