Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Local Newscast
Hear the latest from the WRKF/WWNO Newsroom.

Senate Candidates Talk Business

The Louisiana chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, a small business advocacy group, hosted a forum for U.S. senate hopefuls Wednesday. In attendance were Congressman Charles Boustany, Congressman  John Fleming, and state Treasurer John Kennedy.

Boustany warned the audience, “Fact of the matter is, things are worse than you think.”

Fleming said his extreme conservative credentials make him the best pick for the Senate seat: “We need somebody who is an outsider, if not an outcast.”

And Kennedy said the current members of Congress have had their chance.

“You can’t fix stupid. But you can vote it out,” the Treasurer urged.

The three Republicans were asked several business-related questions, including their views of the “Marketplace Fairness Act”, which would require internet sellers to collect and remit sales taxes.

“Here’s what I think the United States Congress ought to do with the internet: leave it alone. It’s working just fine,” Kennedy stated bluntly.

Boustany sang a tune we’ve recently heard from state lawmakers.

“I don’t think we should tinker on the margins with the tax code today,” said the 6-term congressman from Lafayette. “We need a full-scale overhaul of the tax code.”

Fleming indicated he opposes any new taxes, period.

“Let’s face it -- politicians, when they see a new revenue stream, they begin to spend it. And I’m afraid that’s what would happen with a new internet tax,” the congressman from Minden responded.

With Louisiana now participating in Medicaid expansion, how should Obamacare be changed ?

Boustany, a retired cardiac surgeon, said regulations on insurers need to be lifted.

“They’ve overly regulated the providers in squeezing massive consolidation in the insurance companies. Now they look out for the bottom line, rather than your health care.”

Fleming, also a physician, wants an alternative system.

“This thing is falling apart all around us. Now, health savings accounts? That really gives patients finally ‘skin in the game’.”

And Kennedy? He wants it to just go away.

“Now, there are a lot of bills to fix Obamacare. It’s all nibbling around the edges, folks. We need to tear it out by the roots.”

They're vying to replace David Vitter, and the election is November 8th.