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Transcript: Live chat with CD 8 Democratic candidate Ron Barber

The Arizona Daily Star and StarNet are hosting a series of online chats with candidates in the special election to fill the remainder of former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' term in Congressional District 8. The chats offer voters an opportunity to ask questions directly of the candidates. Today's guest: CD 8 Democratic candidate Ron Barber.

3rd & 7 37yd

Hello, Rachel. Let me answer your question about Social Security first.

I intend to protect Social Security, and make sure that it is available to future generations. Millions of Americans have paid into Social Security expecting that it would be there when they retired. For many Americans, this is their only source of income in their senior years.

The current Social Security Trust Fund is solvent until well into the 2030s. As we look at the increase in numbers of Social Security recipients who are from the baby boom generation, we will need to make some modest adjustments to ensure its solvency far into the future. This is not unlike those adjustments that have been made in the past.

What I don't support are efforts to phase out Social Security and replace it with a privatized system, which will offer no firm assurances of a livable income to future retirees.

by Ron Barber 3/1/2012 7:02:50 PM
Regarding your question about contraception coverage, it is surprising that this issue comes up almost fifty years after women were first able to have access to contraception under their health plans.

Women should have the ability to make health care decisions for themselves and not be told by government or by employers how to make these most personal decisions.

by Ron Barber 3/1/2012 7:05:55 PM
What is your position on permanent Border Patrol check points near Tombstone, Bisbee, Sierra Vista, and along Interstate Highways?

by Johartz 3/1/2012 7:06:11 PM
Do you support imposing tough, costly sanctions and penalties on companies, both corporate and privately held, that hire illegal immigrants, and if so, how would you police it?

by Fletcher 3/1/2012 7:16:08 PM
What are your thoughts on the on-going violence in Syria? What are your "red-lines" for calling for U.S. Intervention, and what efforts are you prepared to support if it comes to U.S. engagement?

by Johartz edited by John Bolton, StarNet night... 3/1/2012 7:47:31 PM
Do you support the Fair Tax? If yes, please indicate what features of the Fair Tax stand out in your analysis. If no, please explain your reasoning

by Fletcher 3/1/2012 7:54:06 PM