Paul Tsongas> Tsongas supports longterm business aid

Q. Maine has a rich timber resource. Papermaking is the cornerstone of the state’s economy. Most companies are modern, capital-intensive and efficient. The American papermaking industry can compete strongly in world markets. What specific policies do you propose to remove trade barriers hindering paper sales to Japan and other nations? — A. My campaign has focused on restoring the American industrial base. In my book A Call to Economic Arms, I have laid out a broad strategy to help American industries become the world leaders. However, I understand that in some industries, like papermaking, increased productivity alone will not help pierce foreign markets. As president, I will work aggressively to reduce barriers to foreign trade so all American industries are free to compete throughout the world. — Q. Maine has several military bases that serve as the foundation for local economies. The state also is home to several defense industries. The end of the Cold War and the various proposals to cut military spending stand to weaken the state’s economy. What proposals do you have for reinvesting the Peace Dividend? And do you have other ideas to help communities recover from base closures or devense-industry slowdowns? — A. As industry moves away from defense-related products, the federal government must take an active role in making that transition as smooth as possible. The government must make the revitalization of American industries as important a goal as defense superiority was during the 1980s. To help the defense industry make this transition, the federal government should provide tax incentives, worker retraining and other assistance. Part of the money saved by defense cuts can be used to fund these programs. In addition, the overall economic strategy I have formulated will help businesses grow and provide jobs to replace those that are lost. — Q. The military is considering reusing Loring Air Force Base, slated for closure, as an eastern site for an anti-missile base as part of the Strategic Defense Initiative. Do you favor Star Wars in its present form? Is the military reuse of Loring wise or should residents of Limestone continue to work toward its civilian reuse? — A. I do not support the space-based Strategic Defense Initiative because of the greatly reduced nuclear threat from the former Soviet Union. I would consider supporting a ground-based missile defense system if it is shown to be technologically feasible, cost effective and capable of providing real protection against accidental and terrorist launches. I believe there is real uncertainty about whether the Strategic Defense Initiative will ever become a reality. For that reason, citizens in the Loring AFB area should concentrate their efforts on developing a new civilian business base. This area should not allow itself to become vulnerable again to changes which can be dictated by the federal government in Washington.

Q. The Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Canada, by most measures, has been successful. However, in a couple of resource industries — timber and fishing — some Mainers would find the results disappointing if not business-threatening. They say that their Canadian counterparts benefit from hidden government subsidies in the form of low stumpage fees on government-owned forest land, liberal fishing regulations, and off-season unemployment benefits. What proposals do you have to level the playing field? — A. Government subsidies, whether hidden or revealed, violated the purpose of free trade. As president, I would seek to remove unfair foreign subsidies so that real free trade can exist between the United States and Canada. — Q. The United States and Canada have the longest unprotected border in the world. Yet the countries and their citizens have stark differences. What steps would you take to improve the relationship? — A. The United States and Canada enjoy a special relationship. Canada is our largest trading partner and disagreements between us are very rare. As president, I would do everything in my power to insure that this relationship continues to be a good one.

PAUL E. TSONGAS

AGE: 50. Born Feb. 14, 1941, in Lowell, Mass.

OCCUPATION: Lawyer.

FAMILY: Wife Nicola (Nicki) Sauvage Tsongas. Children: Ashley, 17; Katina, 13; Molly, 9. Nicki Tsongas is corporate and family lawyer who earned her law degree when it appeared her husband would die of cancer in 1984.

EDUCATION: B.A., history, Dartmouth College, 1962; J.D., Yale Law School, 1967; masters in public administration, Harvard, 1973.

ELECTED OFFICES HELD: Lowell (Mass.) City Council member, 1969-72; Middlesex County (Mass.) commissioner, 1973-74; U.S. representative, 1975-79; U.S. senator, 1979-85.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Peace Corps volunteer, Ethiopia, 1962-64; deputy assistant state attorney general, 1969-71. Board member: Yale University, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Edison Co., Shawmut Bank, Wang Laboratories.

PLATFORM:

Proclaims pro-business approach that seeks to encourage creation of wealth. Endorses lower capital-gains tax for people who make long-term investments in new, high-risk businesses; more government support for solar and nuclear power; annual increases in the gasoline tax to encourage energy conservation; and strengthening U.N. peacekeeping forces and World Court.

Calls for “industrial policy” in which government would help industries compete with Germany, Japan. Would front-load spending under six-year transportation bill to stimulate the economy.

Proposes requiring employers to offer health insurance to all full-time employees and to pay new payroll tax of 6 percent to 8 percent to pay for insurance for part-time, seasonal or temporary employees. Says plan would lower costs, expand care by setting minimal government requirements, then letting insurance companies compete for customers.

Calls for cutting annual increase in entitlement spending (Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, etc.) to one percentage point less than inflation rate. Has said he would consider a means test for Social Security recipients.

Favors mandatory AIDS testing for health-care workers.

Advocates “Marshall Plan II” to provide economic aid to Soviets, tied to economic reforms. Says United States should immediately divert $2 billion from defense for food and other Soviet humanitarian assistance.

Supports abortion rights; supports the death penalty for “crimes against society,” primarily drug trafficking.

CONTACT: State headquarters Brian Keane, 729-1129; Orono, Tom Geddis 866-5952.