Get to Know The Candidates - Indiana 4th

Rick Cornstuble is the Democratic candidate for the 4th district of Indiana. He is a former teacher as well as a director of the Indiana State Teachers Association... a job which he held for 30 years.

Cornstuble, 62, is an Oklahoma native and a former seventh-grade English and social studies teacher. He has spent the past 30 years as a field director for the Indiana State Teachers Association. He said he’s used to fighting the good fight for public school teachers, and he’s also worked on election campaigns.

Cornstuble has served on the boards of United Way and Head Start and was active with Civic Theatre projects and Tippecanoe County’s Junior Miss program. He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, earning the Vietnam Service Medal; and he served on the secondary recovery ship for the moon landing in 1969.

Cornstuble graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in social studies education. He is also an accredited union counselor, graduating from the Northwest Central Labor Council Community Service Program.

The candidate said his family moved from Oklahoma to Michigan City in 1976 when his daughters were very young. In 1981, they relocated to Lafayette.

Last month I was able to have a brief conversation with the candidate. He seemed intelligent and well spoken...attributes he can hopefully turn into a successful campaign.

Rick's Republican opponent for this district is Steve Buyer. Buyer has been tough opposition for past Democrats in the 4th. Rick is going to have his work cut out for him, but its a race he believes he can win. He will carry the full support of the BayhPartisan behind him during the campaign.

Here are some excerpts from the first in-depth article about Rick that I have found online. Ive only lifted policy-related subjects, so I would encourage you to click the link above to learn more about him. Also click here to visit Rick Cornstuble's campaign website.

Cornstuble said one of the reasons he decided to run for office was the war in Iraq and the lack of vigilance he sees in congressmen who “rubber stamp” the policies of President George W. Bush.

“This Congress has done more rubber-stamping than almost any other Congress — it has simply not questioned anything or used any of its powers to say ‘Whoa!’ or ‘Let’s check this out,’” he commented. “Some congressional members are more interested in getting re-elected than doing the job they were sent to do.”

Cornstuble said he thinks Republicans have burned some bridges with veterans by taking the position of reducing their rights and benefits and upping their co-pays.

“Now it’s not unusual for veterans to have to apply for their benefits. But never in our country’s history have we had troops in the middle of a conflict and at the same time, the federal government is cutting military benefits and protection,” he remarked.

Cornstuble said companies that are supposed to be rebuilding Iraq aren’t pulling their weight and should be replaced with qualified people. He believes that “cronyism” has interfered with the checks and balances between Congress and the Oval Office.

The candidate told the Terhunes’ guests that the habit of “piggybacking” bills onto unrelated legislation is unfair to constituents and confusing to watchdog organizations.

Cornstuble also has a major beef with the Medicare Part D drug coverage legislation, which Buyer and other Republican legislators have championed. Cornstuble remarked that if elected, he would work toward a more comprehensive pharmacy bill, with less competition and more cooperation between pharmaceutical companies.

With their experience in education, Cornstuble and his wife are unhappy with the president’s No Child Left Behind mandate. They believe it should be revised and properly funded. “It’s a fantasy and a sound bite — with empty promises and empty pockets,” the candidate said.

Cornstuble also believes that Social Security must be saved. “It is an obligation — we’re mortgaging our future and cutting the benefits we’re counting on.” He said he is not afraid to make unpopular decisions for the good of constituents.

“I’d rather fight the good battle and lose the issue than simply say, ‘It’s been done that way for years.’”

Once again...you can visit the Rick's website at http://www.corn4congress.com.