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“AARP Debate”
The first of what promises to be several more debates between Mark Christensen and Frank Shoemaker was held in McCook on October 2, 2006. The debate was sponsored by AARP. About 50 people were in attendance, and a wide range of subjects were covered. The audience submitted questions, which were then asked by a moderator.
Mark Christensen provided clear and concise answers to all of the questions while his opponent often described the problem but rarely answered how he would resolve the issue.
The few areas where Frank did give an answer were on water, where Frank said, “we can’t just let every farmer use the water he wants without restriction or he will deplete it and we will have nothing left.”
Mark Christensen is a farmer. He has farmed all of his life and still does. Mark knows that it is expensive to pump water and doesn’t believe anyone uses more than is required by the crop.
Frank also commented on the Conceal Carry law. Frank said at the debate that he believed the penalties should be increased for those who have a gun in their glove compartment.
Mark Christensen, in contrast, has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association with an A rating and believes that good honest people should be allowed to carry a gun and defend themselves.
Frank is part owner of a telephone company and says that, if elected, he wants to be on the Transportation and Telecommunications committee. This is the committee that regulates phone companies. Frank believes that power companies should not be allowed to enter the internet business in competition with his phone company.
When asked what committee he wanted to be on, Mark Christensen said that he would like to be on the Natural Resources Committee which deals with water but added that, since the seats on that committee are not likely to be available, he would also try to be on Appropriations or Revenue.
Mark Christensen clearly won the debate, for he answered the questions instead of just redescribing the problem.
Mark Christensen has stated repeatedly since the Primary in May that he is willing to participate in more debates. He simply wants those debates to be open, sponsored by a neutral party, where the press covers the event, and moderated. He also thinks the questions should not be limited to just what one candidate wants to focus on.
If you wish to discuss the issues with Mark, feel free to contact him at 1-308-991-7391 or visit
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