DeKALB | In a Constituent Dynamics poll taken Oct. 10, John Laesch, Democratic candidate for the 14th Congressional district, trailed Republican incumbent Dennis Hastert by 10 points, with Laesch at 42 percent and Hastert at 52 percent. As Election Day gets closer, the candidates’ stances on important issues show their stark contrast in ideology.

Name: John Laesch

Age: 32

Highest position: Navy Intelligence Analyst

Laesch believes in “ending the War in Iraq, bringing our heroes home and allowing international peacekeepers to resolve the ongoing civil war.”

If elected, Laesch envisions the expansion of “higher education opportunities so that every teenager will have the assistance they need in earning a college degree or attending technical school.”

Laesch would also like to “replace the No Child Left Behind Act with an education policy that provides resources for all children to receive the best education possible.”

Laesch hopes to “work to recruit and retain high quality teachers by expanding student loan forgiveness programs for qualified educators.”

Laesch would like to “ensure that all Americans have access to a living wage.”

He also looks toward promoting “fair trade so that Wall Street keeps our jobs here instead of offshoring them to the third world.”

Laesch sees “incorporating responsible spending in the federal government and reducing the $7.2 trillion national debt as the greatest obstacle to a long-term healthy economy.”

Laesch intends to “create a 21st Century Jobs Program to rebuild our decaying infrastructure, empowering people to achieve financial independence and reduce dependence on welfare programs.”

Laesch wants to “focus on preventative care to help curb medical costs.”

Laesch also envisions the expansion of Medicare coverage “to all Americans as a voluntary alternative to our expensive and inefficient private insurance system.” He also wants to “make a commitment to injured military personnel by providing a quality national health care system as the cornerstone of our veterans’ benefits.”

Name: Dennis Hastert

Age: 64

Highest position: Speaker of the House

Hastert prefers continuing the fight in Iraq. “National security is our most important priority, and he’s committed to giving soldiers and first responders the resources they need to fight and win the War on Terrorism.”

Hastert has “been a tireless advocate for more federal funding for local schools, higher standards for school performance and expanded access to higher education.” Hastert also supports No Child Left Behind. “He voted in favor of unprecedented federal support for the nation’s elementary and secondary schools and the President’s plan to further bolster education funding in next year’s budget.”

Hastert is “fighting for permanent tax relief.”

Under Hastert, Congress passed “a jobs & growth package that is putting people back to work and strengthening our economy.”

“The Jobs & Growth Act of 2003 provided an immediate economic stimulus by providing tax relief to all American workers, and families. It encouraged investment in American markets by lowering tax rates on dividends and capital gains. And it provided incentives for businesses—and small businesses in particular—to invest in their operations, expand their services, and ultimately create new jobs.”

Hastert wants “every American to have access to quality, affordable health care.”

He is looking to “expand services at local hospitals and clinics, leading Congress to provide a Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors and fighting against frivolous lawsuits that inflate health care costs.”