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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

Smart Voter
Sacramento County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
United States Representative; District 5


The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Economy, Federal Budget, Energy, Health Care, Campaign Financing

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

? 1. In this time of high unemployment, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy?

Answer from Paul A. Smith:

Give employers a tax holiday for starters. That would allow employers to retain employees instead of laying them off.

Ensure any stimulus money goes to private industry and all of it must be spent in the U.S. Stop subsidizing certain industries and allow the free market to dictate industries. Our own companies should not have to compete with our own governmment.

? 2. How should federal budget priorities be changed, now and into the future? How will you balance the costs of military action overseas and national security with the costs of domestic needs?

Answer from Paul A. Smith:

First we need a balanced budget amendment. Our Government is broke and the entire system resembles a Ponzi scheme. We can no longer afford be the worlds police force. It is time to take care of our own country and spend money on fixing our country, not every fallen dictatorship.

? 3. What, if anything, should be done by the federal government to address our dependence on fossil fuels or spur the use of clean energy?

Answer from Paul A. Smith:

I am a huge proponent of 1/3 oil, 1/3 renewable and 1/3 nuclear. As an advisor for the Obama's BRC on Nuclear Energy, I have a unique understanding of the energy needs this country has and am working now to make our country independent. One ounce of uranium produces the same amount of electricity as 75 tons of coal. We can fix the energy issue with the tools we have, if we are allowed to use them.

? 4. What, if any, changes should be made to current federal policies or programs that promote or provide health coverage for Americans?

Answer from Paul A. Smith:

Eliminate the federal program to start. Allow private insurers to cross state lines. Pass tort reform and stop the fear that doctors operate under. reform the way health care is delivered to us. The 9-5 five days a week primary care physician model is broken. We need to make sure health care is available we we need it, not when it is convenient for the doctor.

? 5. What, if any, changes should be made to federal rules on campaign financing or disclosure of political expenditures?

Answer from Paul A. Smith:

Put a cap on total that can be spent. This will make candidates meet folks in person, not just run slick ads. Put a link of candidates website that will take them to the donors lists.


Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. No candidate may refer to another candidate in the response.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.


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Created: January 6, 2011 15:01 PST
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