8th congressional candidates spar on economy, taxes

Candidates for Michigan's 8th congressional district provided two views of America on Tuesday night in Brighton.

Republican Mike Bishop, a former state Senate majority leader, argues that it's time to take "the cuffs" off the economy by reducing government regulation.

His Democratic opponent, Ingham County Treasurer Eric Schertzing, says the economy won't fully bounce back until the country reinvests in road, bridge and sewer infrastructure and education.

The candidates squared off in a forum at the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts. They are vying to represent all of Ingham and Livingston counties and part of northern Oakland County in Congress.

The candidates briefly sparred when Schertzing said that the state economy took a dive when Bishop presided over the state Senate.

"We were not investing in roads when Mike Bishop was in the state Senate. We were not investing in education when Mike Bishop was in the state Senate," Schertzing said. "We've got to make the investments that are going to grow our future prosperity."

Bishop said raising taxes on the rich is "completely out of the question" and would punish those who are successful and businesses that are thriving.

He said the size and role of government has grown exponentially under President Barack Obama, and the function of the U.S. government needs to be reined in.

"If you really want to get this country back on track, if we really want to address these budget issues we've got to address government size and waste," Bishop said, adding that "class warfare" won't reach those ends.

When asked about the future of Social Security, Schertzing said the program needs to be left as is to remain a benefit for senior citizens and a source of last resort for those who qualify early due to medical conditions.

Bishop called Social Security an "entitlement."

Both candidates agreed on issues ranging from militarization of police to government surveillance programs.

They both said the federal government's arming of police must be kept in check, and that government surveillance has intruded on Americans' lives.

The winner in November will replace veteran U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Howell, who is retiring from Congress.