League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Mark S. Reed Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 27

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

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

I will push for legislation that will lower taxes and stimulate and encourage economic growth. I firmly believe that raising taxes stifles growth, weakens the economy, and will put more people out of work. Our economy works best when the government gets out of the way, businesses have money to invest and add jobs, and when individuals have more of their income to spend.

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?

We need to cut all spending across the board back to 2002 levels

We need to set a special committee that will eliminate any government programs and agencies that we can live without and do not meet the deliverable.

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?

I support common-sense environment policy that will help reduce pollution and preserve our precious open spaces. In order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we need to abolish the Department of Energy, and drill in this country where we can. We need to support reasonable and appropriate development of alternative energy sources such as: wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal and improve hydroelectric facilities. I oppose a national cap and trade program because of the higher cost that families and businesses would incur. It will also drive more companies out of this country, leaving more Americans unemployed.

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

I'm opposed to the recent health care bill that was recently signed into law. I agree with many of the anticipated results of the legislation. But can we afford them as currently written? This law will raise taxes, increase government spending and lower the quality of care, especially for elders on Medicare. I support policies that will strengthen the existing private market system, drive down cost and make it easier for people to purchase affordable insurance.

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

I would like to limit donations the candidates can receive from outside their districts, to be no more then the total money the candidate gets from his district up to the end of each giving period.

---

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.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 29, 2010 15:53
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.