Friday , July 29 , 2016 V V V THE GAZETTE , EMPORIA , KANSAS V V V

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Education is too important to be left to bureaucrats or politicians in Washington . As a father of four , including a fourth-grader and freshman in high schools , I believe education decisions are best left to parents , local school boards and the local community . That ’ s why I oppose Common Core and oppose continuing the failed policies of No Child Left Behind .

Do you feel funding for the state ’ s economic plan is working ? The state ’ s economic decisions are made in Topeka , not Washington . However , Washington obviously plays a role in our economy . I support pro-growth reform of the federal tax code . I have voted consistently to stop unnecessary and burdensome regulations that are harming our rural way of life . As a Subcommittee Chairman of Small Business , I am holding hearings on these issues — including the crippling regulations on community banks , on our farmers , on our hospitals and other small businesses .

What would you do to improve the financial situation in our state ?

We must put policies in place that get the economy moving again . I am working to get Washington out of the way by working to roll back red tape and overregulation from Washington , particularly from the EPA , Labor Department and USDA . We also need a complete overhaul of the tax code and remove the special interest provisions put in there by Washington insiders . The tax code needs to be fairer , flatter and more simple . If we accomplish that , we will see a lot more jobs for Kansans .

What would you do to improve the health care access in our state ?

failed to live up to its promises of lower costs and more choices for individuals . I have voted to repeal part or all of Obamacare 60 times . We must repeal Obamacare and put patients back in charge of their health care decisions , not insurance companies , hospital CEOs or bureaucrats in Washington . I have consistently worked with my conservative colleagues to develop legislation to do just that — the American Health Care Reform Act — and I am pushing House leaders to bring it

What are the top three issues on which you would focus during your term ?

I will promote the building blocks of our society by standing up for the traditional values of life , marriage and family .

Since I serve on the powerful Steering Committee that makes the decision , I fully expect to be back on the Ag Committee . Former speaker ( John ) Boehner kicked me off the committee because I wouldn ’ t vote for his tax increases , but he lost his job as Speaker . On the committee , I will help write a new farm bill . But outside the committee , I will continue to work with multiple countries to promote sales of our crops around the world .

There is still more work to be done on behalf of our veterans and ensure they have access to the care and benefits they were promised . My office has helped over 1,000 Veterans cut through all this red tape . However , a Veteran should not have to call their Congressman in order to deal with the VA . I helped to write and pass the VA Choice Law which had permitted thousands day of Kansas veterans to choose their local hospital , instead of being forced into a VA facility .

Is there anything else you would like the citizens in Kansas to know about you ?

After ex-Speaker

Boehner resigned , I also was named a Small Business Subcommittee Chairman , something Boehner had denied me . I have had productive meetings with Speaker ( Paul ) Ryan and other Republican leaders and have gained their support for my return to the committee .

Here is what I will not do . I will not turn over my voting card to anyone , and I will not vote against conservative principles . I work for Kansans , and I promised you I would fight for conservative values and our future . That ’ s exactly what I intend to keep doing .

On the issues of spending , life , Obamacare , the Second Amendment , immigration , marriage — across the board my proven conservative record has been recognized by the NRA , National Right to Life , Kansans for Life , Club for Growth , Freedom Works , Family Research Council , Heritage Action , National Taxpayers Union and many more .

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Do you feel funding for the state ’ s economic plan is working ? I am not a politician , I ’ m a physician and I tend to look at issues surgically . Evidence is clearly showing that the state must restructure our current financial situation , and they should do so without placing an undue burden on our farmers , families , schools and small towns .

What would you do to improve the financial

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sorb with your knees . It ’ s really different and takes some getting used to . It would really be hard to cheer because it ’ s hard to bend your knees . It would be hard to do the jumps and all the things that come with being a cheerleader . I will remember these stories from today . I won ’ t take for granted what I have .”

Different stories were shared from the patient ambassadors .

“ They may be talking about surgery or what makes the hospital special ,” Van Petten said . “ Kids learn how to adapt once they get out of the hospital . In occupational therapy , they learn how to write with one arm because they don ’ t have a second one to hold the paper still . If they are in a wheel chair , they will share their story on how to adapt to a college campus . Or if someone knocks their wallet out of their hand , they may share how they would pick it up if they can ’ t get up out of their wheelchair and stand up .

“ They will give the participants an opportunity to experience what they go through in trying to do everyday activities with the conditions they have .”

Elliot Huels of Overland Park shared his story of difficulties with having essentially the use of only one hand in occupational therapy .

“ It ’ s pretty interesting to get to meet and tell my story to the football players , the cheerleaders and band members ,” he said . “ I got to teach my friends in the marching band what it ’ s like to have one hand .”

Donnie Bohannon of

situation in our state ? First and foremost we

What would you do to improve the health care access in our state ?

As a physician and executive of a rural hospital

MARY ANN REDEKER / GAZETTE

THE CLASSIFIEDS OR PET OF THE WEEK .

T E G

in Great Bend , the answer to this question is simple : Congress must repeal and replace Obamacare with common sense solutions that expand healthcare opportunities and availability — not limit it like Obamacare has done . Since the Affordable Care Act has been put into place , I have had to hire five new nurses , but I ’ m seeing the exact same number of patients . Americans were promised that they could keep their doctor , their plan and pay less for it — none of those things were true . I ’ ve lived the disaster that is Obamacare .

What are the top three issues on which you would focus during your term ?

Madelyn Hubbs demonstrates how she can shoot a bow , having only the use of one arm . Hubbs ’ mother , Melissa , said Shriners Hospitals gave Madelyn the confidence to do many things others with two arms are afraid to tackle .

Holton , who has been a Shriner for six years , said the event was a life-changing experience for all those involved in the event .

“ I do the Shrine Bowl every year because it ’ s fun ,” he said . “ It ’ s a great experience for not only the football players , the cheerleaders and the band members , but it ’ s a good experience for us Shriners as well and the patients . The kids get selected in the state to participate , but what they get to do is raise money for the football game and everything leading up to it . Hopefully it is as much fun for them as it is for us . It is a very rewarding experience . I love coming to Emporia . The hospitality here has been wonderful .”

Madelyn Hubbs of St . Louis shared her story with the audience and demonstrated how she can shoot a bow and take a selfie with the use of only one arm .

Madelyn ’ s mother Melissa praised the Shriners Hospital as making a difference in her daughter ’ s life .

“ Shriners Hospital has given us many things ,” she said . “ In the beginning it was assurance that we were not alone . They were there to help so we received prosthetics for Madelyn and occupational therapy . What is even bigger and more valuable and continues to grow is the support , the friendships , the connections not only with the hospital staff , but also the Shriners — the patients and the connections they receive , including my daughter . She now has the confidence to speak in

Photos Courtesy of Lorie Sickler

Agriculture , national security and healthcare .

Is there anything else you would like the citizens in Kansas to know about you ?

I ’ m a physician , not a politician . I am running for Congress to give Kansans effective , conservative representation in Washington . God has blessed me with the ability to be a peacemaker and to bring people together to solve the problems at hand , and I will bring those gifts to Congress in order to solve our nation ’ s problems without sacrificing our conservative Kansas values .

MARY ANN REDEKER / GAZETTE

Rylie McFadden , a cheerleader from Hutchinson , tries to do a jump with simulation boots on to experience the feeling of a prosthetic leg . McFadden said she enjoyed being part of the experience to help raise awareness and money for Shriners Hospitals . front of groups . She has the confidence to try things that even people with two arms would be hesitant to do . Participating in swimming , water polo and riding a horse at 3 years old — was amazing for her to be able to do .

“ It ’ s been wonderful and such a blessing . I don ’ t know where we would be today without the support of the Shriners and all they do for children .”

HARDCORECHRISTIANITY . COM PRESENTS FREE INNER HEALING & DELIVERANCE SEMINAR SATURDAY NIGHT AUG . 6 2016 7:00 PM TO 10:00 PM WITH MICHAEL W . SMITH HOUSE OF HEALING PHOENIX , ARIZONA @ CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY 721 Corinth St . Emporia , KS 66801