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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.
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1. In this time of high unemployment, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy?
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Answer from Jim Judd:
I will be a Congressional Representative that is the catalyst in bringing together local business and governmental leaders were an atmosphere of success is instilled, thereby allowing local businesses to thrive. Additionally and as important, I will be a driving force to incentivize local business owners for the new jobs needed, where we all move forward and benefit in a new economy.
Answer from Eugene E Ruyle:
First, end the so-called "War on Terror," bring our troops and mercenaries home from Iraq and Afghanistan and reduce the military budget by at least 90%. Second, end the so-called "War on Drugs," free all non-violent drug offenders, and reduce our prison complex. Third, support state and local governments and school systems. Fourth, put a moratorium on all home foreclosures and layoffs of workers.
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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?
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Answer from Jim Judd:
As in business in tough financial times we must make tough economic decisions. As a nation we can no longer kick the expenses of $1.4 trillion in deficit spending or $14 trillion in debt down the road to future generations. Just like our personal lives, there are wants and necessities which demand a prioritization of our personal finances. This same common sense approach must be instilled in government. Our countries financial health requires hard choices with respect to our countries wants. We can no longer afford our wants. We must address our basic financial necessities in order to servive. We need responsible government spending.
Answer from Eugene E Ruyle:
The military budget needs to be reduced by at least 90%. Our military adventures overseas are making us less secure as our imperialist interventions into other nations only create hostility. The U.S. must honor the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which we signed decades ago. In this Treaty, non-nuclear nations agreed to give up the right to build nuclear weapons and the United States and other nuclear nations agreed "to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a Treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control." (Article VI) Disarmament would free tremendous resources to address our domestic needs including social and environmental concerns.
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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?
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Answer from Eugene E Ruyle:
Fossil fuels and nuclear energy are unhealthy for humans and the Earth. We need to move to a safe and sustainable energy system. Estimates indicate that fully three quarters of our energy needs could be met by putting solar panels on every viable residential and commercial rooftop. There are over 100,000 square miles of asphalt, including streets, parking lots, and rooftops, in the United States, more than enough to satisfy our energy needs.
Answer from Jim Judd:
The Federal Government should promote an environment that incentivizes all possible renewable energy sources with the understanding that each energy source needs to be viable and capable of standing on its own in the consumer market, free of tax subsidies. I support a common-sense energy and environmental policy that will help reduce or eliminate the negative effects caused by our growing energy needs. Energy powers our economic engine. We all need energy. Without it, America is little more than a third world nation. Common sense tells me that we can meet our energy needs and move away from foreign dependence using our own resources while we develop viable alternative sources. Alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal, and natural gas can all be used effectively; each for its most effective purpose.
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4. What, if any, changes should be made to current federal policies or programs that promote or provide health coverage for Americans?
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Answer from Jim Judd:
I believe that all American citizens should have the right to choose health insurance coverage but it should not be mandated. I don't believe in legislation that is fraught with earmarks and special interest pork and that ignores affordability and tort reform. Choice and competition was the mantra we heard from Congress during the health care debate. Sadly, the legislation had neither personal choice nor reduced costs. It does bring us government mandates, higher premiums, and soon to come, health care rationing. Who can make better choices for your health care needs, you or some bureaucrat?
One-sixth of our nation's economy is spent on health care, half of which is spent by government. In 1970, 20.4 million individuals were enrolled in Medicare, today that figure has more than doubled. Additionally, in 1990 22.9 million were enrolled in Medicaid, today that figure has also more than doubled. Medicare has an unfunded obligation of $38 trillion because of benefits promised, but unpaid. We are on a collision course of unsustainable funding for Medicare and Medicaid.
So what do we do? The current path government has Medicare and Medicaid on only enforces the need to remove government involvement in our personal health coverage. Government should only identify the broad goals allowing states to be free to marry these goals with private providers.
What about choice and competition required for cost controls in a free market? Congress needs to adopt legislation to permit the purchase of health coverage across state lines by individuals and businesses. It is a fact that Medicare is a major driver in health care costs and the looming addition of baby boomers, like me, will all too soon crush the system. I believe a transition into a defined + contribution system in which the government contribution for benefits is adjusted for age, income, or health status will be an answer in our continued quest for reducing the cost of health coverage.
Let's reform how we treat the tax treatment of health coverage. Doing this reform will encourage individuals without employer based coverage to purchase insurance by removing the after tax purchase of coverage which would allow an individual tax deduction or tax credit creating additional affordability.
Answer from Eugene E Ruyle:
We need a single payer health care system, similar to that of Canada or Great Britain, with fully funded abortion rights. We also need to explore alternative health care methods.
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5. What, if any, changes should be made to federal rules on campaign financing or disclosure of political expenditures?
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Answer from Jim Judd:
Keep it simple, have each race have a set dollar limit equal to each other (i.e. candidate vs. incumbent) free to use on campaign expenditures set by a third party administrator.
Answer from Eugene E Ruyle:
We need public financing of all political campaigns, with full disclosure and contributions limited to $100 per person to equalize the political influence of rich and poor. Corporations are not people and should not be allowed to influence the political process.
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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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
