Halvorson must meet Kinzinger in debates

To the Editor:

The most important local race we have in the November’s election is between Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson and her opponent, Adam Kinzinger.

Kinzinger has challenged Halvorson to debates; a challenge that Halvorson has not yet accepted. Halvorson, who has held zero town halls since being elected to Congress, owes it to the taxpayers and voters in her district to have multiple debates with Captain Kinzinger.

The people of the 11th District want to know how each candidate is going to approach the important issues facing our area. Locally, the economy is sinking, and throughout her time in office, Debbie Halvorson has not proven she can attract businesses to the area.

Is it possible they are coming because of the good work she has done? Does she think the stimulus was effective, and should have more of that type of legislation? These are questions that need to be answered; however Halvorson does not seem in a big rush to do so.

The same goes for Captain Kinzinger. How will his approach be better at attracting jobs to the area? The Chamber of Commerce and NFIB have endorsed him, so clearly there is some traction with his policy positions among the business community, but what exactly are those positive policies that he supports?

In the midst of a prolonged recession, and considering Congress’s slumping approval ratings, my friends and neighbors deserve an open and honest debate about the policies that shape our society.

Congresswoman Halvorson owes it to her constituents to schedule debates with her opponent this fall.