Saying he has to reapply for his job every two years, U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop said he wants the people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District to extend his contract.

Republican candidate John House said after 10 terms representing the district it is time for Bishop to get another job.

According to House, Bishop might not find that easy to do in the area he represents.

"People are leaving this district to find work elsewhere," House said. "Congressman Bishop has fallen short bringing jobs here."

House credits any local job growth to Base Realignment and Closure at Fort Benning and says Bishop had little to do with that.

House feels business growth is being held back nationally by too much government interference.

"Government regulation is the No. 1 complaint I hear as I travel through the district," House said.

House said he hears that from people in all kinds of businesses, from Republicans and Democrats, blacks and whites.

House insists the stress of doing business must be reduced.

"Businesses create jobs, not government," House said.

It is important for government to create an environment to encourage businesses to provide a stable work force, an environment that encourages people to start small businesses, House said.

The former Army colonel believes a reduction in income taxes and corporate taxes will grow business and help keep companies from moving work overseas.

Bishop said the economy here and elsewhere is improving.

He points to a report showing the nation's unemployment rate on Sept. 30 at 7.8 percent.

At the same time a year ago, it was 9 percent and the year before 9.5 percent.

Bishop supported the Jobs For Main Street Act, which includes a payroll tax holiday for businesses that hire unemployed workers.

He also supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which funds transportation and infrastructure upgrades and construction, health care initiatives, education assistance, housing aid, energy efficiency upgrades, as well as providing personal and business tax cuts.

Bishop said the act has led to jobs in the district.

"We were on the brink of disaster four years ago," Bishop said, adding that the country was losing hundreds of thousands of jobs each month. "Now, we are gaining them. We have still got a long way to go."

Health care is a concern for both candidates.

Bishop is a strong supporter of President Obama's Affordable Care Act.

"Affordable health care is a piece of legislation whose time has come," Bishop said. "People should not have to choose between going to the grocery store and getting their medicine."

He likes that the act allows young adults to stay on their parent's health plan up to age 26 and makes sure insurance companies can't deny health coverage to kids with a pre-existing condition.

House said he has a problem with the plan that says Americans must have insurance by 2014.

He feels it should be repealed.

"We do not yet know the full financial impact," House said. "No one should be forced to pay for elective health care whether or not it violates their religious beliefs. No government program ever saves money in the end."

On their websites, the two give their take on several issues.

On the subject of energy, Bishop said he has long been a supporter of increased energy exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to reduce gasoline prices and reduce this country's dependence on foreign energy sources, as well as promoting the production and use of biofuels.

House said once in Congress, he will advocate for and support responsible, safe alternatives to importing oil from foreign countries.

He said the country must explore the use of clean coal, technology, fracturing and other alternative sources that make sense for Americans.

He also supports drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

On the subject of right to life, House believes that life begins at conception with no exceptions.

He is pro-life and is particularly incensed by partial-birth abortions and would make it a priority to end them.

He believes Planned Parenthood should receive zero government funding.

Bishop has voted to ensure that federal funds will not be used to fund abortions as part of health care reform.