Grijalva, Saucedo Mercer have an animated debate

The debate, televised by Arizona Public Media, between incumbent Democrat Raúl Grijalva and Republican challenger Gabriela Saucedo Mercer may be the only debate in this race. Watch it at news.azpm.org

The candidates gave animated answers to a question about how to sustain Social Security.

“The problem with Social Security is the federal government has plundered the fund. They have taken the money that belonged to the people,” Saucedo Mercer said.

She made a slapping sound with her hands and said, “Get your hands out of it!”

Saucedo Mercer said the solution is to have more people in the workforce so there are more people participating in the program. Illegal immigrants are taking jobs that could go to Americans, she said.

Grijalva said undocumented people are earning paychecks that have money deducted for Social Security, a benefit they can’t access.

He said the government should raise the ceiling on wages subject to Social Security tax and raise the minimum wage to help put more money into the system. He opposes privatization.

While Grijalva was speaking, Saucedo Mercer looked shocked and mouthed the word “wow” several times.

Saucedo Mercer said she favors cutting taxes and lifting regulations on businesses to help improve the economy.

“We need to look at everything that impedes job growth,” she said.

She said the government should ease environmental-permit regulations for companies such as Rosemont Copper. “Everything that has to do with saving the snail or saving some wildcat impedes job creation,” she said.

Grijalva said he supports incentivizing companies that create American jobs and pay taxes here, and he supports eliminating tax breaks and benefits for companies that move jobs out of the country.

“It is unfair to deregulate to the point where you have loopholes where a Burger King can move to Canada or any other country and avoid paying their fair share of corporate taxes in this country,” he said.

Saucedo Mercer said Burger King is “trying to get away from government burdens.”

“Government does not create jobs; government creates bureaucracies,” she added.

National security
and border security

Saucedo Mercer advocated for the U.S. and allies to escalate the fight against the Islamic State and she called the military rules of engagement against ISIS “ridiculous.”

“We’re sending our young men and women over there to be sitting ducks,” she said. “I think we should level (ISIS) with airstrikes and whatever means possible.”

Grijalva said ISIS must be “contained and stopped,” but allies in the region should take up the fight, with the U.S. playing a supporting role.

On border security, Saucedo Mercer supports a double-layer fence and more Border Patrol agents. Grijalva supports comprehensive immigration reform and modernizing ports of entry.

Grijalva blamed the tea-party caucus for holding important issues “hostage” in Congress, and Saucedo Mercer said Grijalva is part of the problem. “It always has been his way or the highway,” she said.