League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Marin, Sonoma County, CA November 2, 2004 Election
	Lynn Woolsey Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 6

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What can be done to ensure that California gets its fair share of federal resources?

Since 1994 when Republicans first controlled both chambers of Congress in recent memory, the amount of money flowing OUT of the hands of Californians has increased at a steady clip. With the election of President Bush, the situation has only worsened + in other words, California received 77 cents in federal payments and services for every dollar sent to Washington -- a decline from 88 cents in 2000 and a record low return for the state.

Republican fiscal mismanagement is not unique to California, but affects the entire country. In 2000, President Bush inherited a record surplus $397 billion and in four short years, turned it into a record deficit of $422 billion. Year after year, Republicans have continued to mortgage America's future and continue to weaken our security which, of course, impacts funding to states. There is no way that you can secure our homeland, win the war against terrorism and ensure that Americans can compete in the global marketplace if the United States is bankrupt. We can only turn this around by cleaning the house and returning Democrats to power.

2. What are your foreign policy priorities for the United States?

American's deserve a foreign policy that defends America by relying on the very best of America + our capacity for global leadership, our compassion for the people of the world and our commitment to peace and freedom. This is the only way America will rebuild its moral authority and reputation in the eyes of the world. But, the Bush administration has led the U.S. down a dangerous road by ignoring these core values and confusing belligerence with diplomacy. This is why I introduced SMART security + a Smart, Multilateral, American Response to Terrorism, H.Con.Res. 392, which calls on the United States to disavow Bush's failed security doctrine of pre-emptive strikes and defend America by relying on the very best of America + not our nuclear capabilities, but our capacity for multi-national leadership and our commitment to peace and freedom around the world.

3. What are your priorities for the federal budget?

Children are the future of this country and their needs, and that of their families, must be put first. It's time our government and our tax dollars worked for us. It's time to turn things around + instead of continuing to support corporate welfare, we need programs that will help families bridge their huge responsibility to both their employer and their children. That's why I introduced legislation called the "Balancing Act." "The Balancing Act" is designed to help strike a balance between work and family and to give parents the tools to be both a reliable employee and a responsible parent. This legislation will improve the quality and availability of childcare; in-school nutrition; and after school programs. It will also establish funding for paid family leave and voluntary universal preschool, while assisting employers establish family friendly workplaces.