Donald Rients
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Donald Rients
Party
Republican
Election Year
2018
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 18
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Illinois Central College, East Peoria, IL, Associate in Applied Science Electronic Technology, 1991
Illinois Valley Community College, Oglesby, IL, Associate in Science, 1984
Illinois Central College, East Peoria, IL, Associate in General Education, 1996
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Boy Scouts - Roanoke Troop 71, Chairman, Gideons International - Livingston County
Varied - President, Vice President, Treasurer, Benson Fire Protection District, President
St. Petri Lutheran Church, Board Trustee, Sunday School Superintendent
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Agree
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Agree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Additional regulations are needed to prevent climate change.
Strongly Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
The United States should help defend Israel from attack by its enemies.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
It is OK for Congress to exempt itself from compliance with laws applicable to all citizens.
Strongly Disagree
I support the death penalty.
Neutral
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
The United States should protect its sovereignty from the United Nations.
Strongly Agree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Agree
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2010 Republican Primary, 2012 General Election, 2012 Republican Primary, 2014 General Election, 2014 Republican Primary, 2016 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Where the baby would definitely, and without question, not be viable (not make it to term without dying) such as a tubular pregnancy, or if the baby is already dead. There would need to very strict checks around these circumstances so that abuse would not occur.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
Obtain and share important intelligence with friendly nations on the terrorists and their activities. Protect our borders and have strong checks before allowing questionable (from terrorist producing countries) individuals from entering. Keep better track of Visa students and workers. Be proactive when a known event is going to happen.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
The founders did not want to create another Monarchy, which can be oppressive to its people. The founders knew that, though some people have good intentions, that since no one is good (as stated by Christ), that these separation of powers to limit any one group from taking control, was a must.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a humble Christian that believes and follows the Triune God of the Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Ghost. That we are saved by Grace through our faith. For we were born into sin and cannot cleanse ourselves, but the blood of Jesus Christ washes those who repent and follow Him (knowing that our love is not a perfect love and we are not perfect while here on earth because His Grace suffices).
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I strongly believe in a balanced budget and cannot see myself voting for another budget (as the House just did a few months ago) that increases our national debt. I believe that the Federal Government is limited by the United States Constitution and that any laws created should reflect this.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Yes, I would promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable, and accessible for all U.S. Citizens. I do not think that this should be an expense put on the government, but through proper laws, a free market, and keeping an eye on fraud and price gouging that this can be accomplished. I believe that limiting the number of people who can become well qualified doctors is also limiting competition and should be looked into.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Allowing a free, open, and honest market with proper trade deals is a must. The role would be watchdogs for fraud and substandard products from entering this country.
What changes should be made to the tax code?
A change in tax code was just passed. It goes a long way in helping this country out. The individual tax code of this new law should be made permanent. I am concerned that right after the House passed a budget that sees us around eight trillion more in debt in nine years, that the additional trillion and a half that this tax code costs (though trickle down aspects should help that resolve it initial deficit) is a little worrisome. I actually would like to see us get away from individual income taxes because I still think it conflicts with the 4th amendment.
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
A free market economy that encourages business, including small business, to pop up and grow.
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
I believe that Social Security has become, and may have always been, a Ponzi scheme. It is definitely a Socialist function. I could see phasing it out over a few decades. The phase out would look like this though more thought would need to be brought into it. 1. If you are new to the job force you would not pay into it nor get any benefits from it ever (that would be like getting a 15% raise). 2. If you paid into it forty quarters or more you get entirely what was promised from it. 3. If less than forty quarters the government would give back the total of what you and your employer paid into it. No future benefits. For other benefits that Social Security offers, such as help with children who lost a parent, those things would need worked out. It will take a lot of smart people to fix this problem while being fair the Citizens of this country, while still having some need programs for the truly needy.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am a citizen of this country and of the district I would represent. That is my qualification. I grew up on a farm, worked in government, and, after college, have worked both in Union and non-Union jobs for the last thirty-five plus years. My diverse work life, from Busboy at the Elms in El Paso, walking beans, plowing fields, detasseling corn, working the night shift at a Convenient Food Mart while going to college, being a prison guard, graduating from the United States Army ROTC basic camp at Fort Knox, working as a computer technical analyst in the insurance industry, or from mission work seeing several countries and how they live, has given me a very well round perspective on the struggle in life. I believe the Representative of the people of his district should be someone who is not just familiar with the rich, wealthy, and influential people, but also be familiar with the every day person, and be one themselves.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
donald@rients.net - visit my Facebook site Donald Rients for Congress - or web page www.rients.net
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am the father of six children, four girls and two boys, and have been married to my wonderful wife for almost thirty years.
