The first part of this interview can be found at:

http://phoenix.org/blog/phoenix-org-exclusive-interview-with-j-d-hayworth-part-1-of-2/

Troy Hallewell/Phoenix.org: It seems that in this current economy, especially in Arizona, that many private businesses are taking rather large steps in order to stay afloat. Some are laying off workers, some are reducing benefits or requiring larger portions of benefits to be paid by employees, some are creating hiring freezes or pay freezes, reduction of sick days and more. In short it appears that in Arizona corporate America is restructuring the way they look at business, at least temporarily. In spite of such drastic measures in corporate and private America, many feel that government employment is not experiencing the same belt tightening as the rest of us. Government employees in Arizona on average cost the government over $100,000 each, get more sick days and paid leave then most, and some get retirement contributions matched up to 20% of their yearly wages, all of these elements would be unheard of in all but the most lucrative industries in private America. What would you say to those employees in the private sector that feel that they are getting a much smaller compensation package compared to public employees? Do you think that it is a positive thing for a state of city government to pay higher wages then the large majority of private businesses in the area?

J.D. Hayworth: You have touched on something that I think is very perceptive and you are quite right. If you take a look at the growth of government, and more specifically the growth of salaries in government, we are now at the point where one out of five federal employees makes in excess of $100,000 per year just in terms of annual salary and as you pointed out, even those not earning that much in salary, with the benefits packages, even many government employees not earning that type of income have the value imputed of insurance and other benefits that takes their compensation well in excess of six figures.

What is happening, and this is where you really see a couple of things, number 1 is the rise of unionism in government and the method to the madness to the left or American progressives, their vision is one in which government dominates life, and because governments role is expanded ergo government payrolls expand because their growth industry is quite simply government. This is where when people say there is not a dimes worth of difference between the major parties I believe them to be incorrect. The notion of a limited but effective government is very, very important. And accordingly they are just two different basic visions, the left views compassion as the number of people that can be added to welfare rolls, those on the right view compassion as not as welfare but as work, having people gainfully employed, and even the left has a different view of employment, again they see government as quite literally the source of employment. And we are seeing it played out now with this new administration, which in less than a years time, in terms of massive spending, has seen an increase in discretionary spending of over 80%. So that is what is at work here.

Troy Hallewell/Phoenix.org: Both you and your opponent, Senator John McCain, are representatives of the Republican Party. If you had to name what you think are the three biggest differences between you and Senator McCain what would you say they are?

J.D. Hayworth: First of all, let me add that remarkably Senator McCain has changed many of his previous longstanding positions just in time for this campaign for the US Senate but lets go back through three major differences. First, John voted for the massive bailout of the investment banks on Wall Street to the tune of 700 billion dollars. He also voted for the accompanying package of earmarks, something he claims to oppose, which was an accompanying 150 billion dollars for a total of 850 billion dollars in higher government spending. I would have opposed the bailout of the Wall Street investment banks.

Secondly, John co-authored, with the late Senator Kennedy, the amnesty bill, which the heritage foundation estimated would cost you and me and other tax payers 2.6 trillion dollars, that is Trillion with a “T” just for long term retirement benefits for illegal’s that would be given citizenship. That is another bill that I would have opposed.

Thirdly, John opposed tax cuts that I helped to write as a member of the ways and means committee back in 2001 and 2003, he called them “tax cuts for the rich” again sounding a lot more like John Kerry then the John McCain that I used to work with so those are three major areas. Oh, I might go back to that first example (The Bailout), John now says that he was misled on that bill, and if you take that with his rhetoric where he was opposed to the bill before he voted for it, again he sounds more like John Kerry then the John McCain that I remember so those are just three areas where we have very genuine disagreements.

Just one thing that he might say about spending, when John talks about government spending I think it is worth noting that “Citizens Against Government Waste” gave me a better lifetime score then what he has received from them, even though he has their endorsement. That John has their endorsement does not come as a surprise, that organization, though it has laudable goals, is part of the Washington establishment, it can use Senator McCain’s name in fundraising, but that is fine, John can call on the Washington establishment for its support but last time I checked the Washington establishment can’t vote here in Arizona. So if he wants the Washington establishment that is fine, I will take the Arizona voters.

Troy Hallewell/Phoenix.org: Do you think that under the current administration that our country is heading in the right direction? If not what do you think needs to be done by both our leaders (such as yourself) and the citizens of this country to get it where you think it needs to be?

J.D. Hayworth: No, I believe that this administration has American heading most definitely in the wrong direction, I think that as an elected leader, that when I go to the US Senate I will work to repeal this massive government takeover of healthcare. I believe it is unwarranted, unconstitutional and most definitely unwise. And though I am hopeful that court action will be taken to stop it, that even if that does not happen, when I go to the US senate I will work to repeal this bill no matter how long it takes or whatit will take, that is what the leaders need to do. Regarding the citizens of this country, I believe that most Americans are already doing what needs to be done to get back on the right track, by participating in the political process, by saying that they want a return to a constitutional republic, in fact I think that much of what is afoot in this political year of 2010 is not so much a revolution but a restoration, and I believe that quite generally the awakened Americans, whether they are a part of the tea party movement, or whatever their political expressions might be, instinctively know that the American dream is being threatened, that their constitutional republic is being threatened and that is why I expect to see them out in record numbers.

Troy Hallewell/Phoenix.org: Ok, it is now time for a local Phoenix.org question. Suppose it is date night with you and your wife, where are your favorite places to go and what do you do?

J.D. Hayworth: We usually just go out for a very early dinner together and we just enjoy each others company whether we are out eating or whether we are back home watching a movie or even whether we go out to a movie. I also would like to say that even if I am elected to the US Senate that I will not force the taxpayers to foot the bill for my protection or for taking my wife out to dinner. The voters can rest easy on that score. If it ever came down to that where we needed government protection then we would probably just stay home as opposed to giving the taxpayers the responsibilities to pick up our tab.

Troy Hallewell/Phoenix.org: What are some of your favorite places here in Phoenix? Our readers at Phoenix.org are very Phoenix centered so do you have a favorite restaurant or place to go.

JD Hayworth: A lot of the time we are just very close to home, we go to Flemings at DC Ranch. It is one of our favorite places and it is very comfortable to us. It is a very warm and wonderful atmosphere as well as a great wait staff and we just feel very comfortable there. One thing that I like the most is that although it is a “white tablecloth” type place it is a place that is very unpretentious and where the staff treat you like family and we like that very much so that would probably rate at the top of our list.

Troy Hallewell/Phoenix.org: Is there anything that you would like to say to the readers of Phoenix.org?

JD Hayworth: What I would request is that those readers who are inclined to participate in the August 24^th election, I would like to humbly and sincerely request their vote in the republican primary.

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