Ruben K. Zamora, Aurora

Democratic Congressional Candidate Ruben K. Zamora supports four basic ideals: higher education spending, tighter homeland security, universal health care and job creation.

To build resources for recently-cut student loans, Zamora said the nation must changed its focus .

“We need to stop funding the military complex,” Zamora said. “It’s too easy to answer everything with military force. Who will be diplomatic if you don’t educate them properly?”

To Zamora, educating America is essential to rebuilding America’s economy.

“For every $1 we put into education, $7 is put back into the economy,” Zamora said. That’s a winning number. Any gambler will take that.”

On Iraq, Zamora’s priorities focus on protecting American troops and giving Iraqis back their country.

“We’re going to have to pull back from being this big group and be humble,” Zamora said. “We have to respect them.”

Alternative forms of transportation such as Amtrak and high-speed rail was his primary solution to America’s dependency on foreign oil.

“The fact is we’re a greedy nation,” Zamora said. “Everyone wants to have their own car in the driveway. Until we change that mind-set, we’re going to lose coverage that causes us to be dependent on foreign oil.

John Laesch, Newark

Running for the same position is John Laesch. Laesch stands behind creating a flexible timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. If elected, he plans to support funding cuts for the war until a plan is drawn.

“We need to execute a diplomatic faith in the military base,” Laesch said. “The diplomatic phase is long over.”

Laesch said America has an oil addiction and to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil the government must obtain energy security with new methods of conservation and localizing incentives.

“Homeowners that choose to make their homes energy efficient should get tax breaks,” Laesch said.

The congressional candidate targeted America as being ignorant for not prioritizing education.

“The first thing needed is a change in education,” Laesch said. “Defense makes up 40 percent of America’s budget, with education making up 3 percent.”

Laesch wants education’s percentage pushed to 15 percent.

Laesch also thinks small towns need high-speed railways, Amtrak and wind energy to ensure the nation’s success in preserving natural resources.