League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc.
State of New York (Columbia, Greene, Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Delaware, Otsego, Rensselaer, Dutchess, Essex Counties) November 2, 2010 Election
	Christopher Gibson Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 20

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

Questions & Answers

1. What changes to our current immigration policy do you support?

We must recognize that we are a nation of immigrants and their value-added to this country. First, we must enforce laws already on the books. Second, we must secure our borders. Lastly, we must address employment-related issues related to illegal immigration. We must pursue efforts to eliminate illegal immigration and we must adequately and appropriately enforce existing laws. Current illegal aliens must plead guilty and admit their status. I support such initiatives as a program to require admission of guilt, a fine levied for breaking the law and required background checks and employment verification before able to reapply for work related entry for a set time period. Those illegal aliens convicted of a crime must be deported immediately and prohibited re-entry so taxpayers do not finance their prison stays. We must secure our border with the continuation of an already-begun and funded border fence and strengthen federal efforts and recognize states' rights to enforce their laws.

2. What legislation do you support to reduce CO2 emissions?

We must strike the proper balance between jobs and the protection of our precious environment, especially here in the 20th District where we have such natural beauty and assets. First, we must recognize that the cap and trade legislation supported by my opponent is not the answer. It represents a high cost, low value solution that cripples families, farms and small businesses, the backbone of our economy. We must pursue an all-of-the-above domestic energy policy that helps struggling consumers by lowering energy costs and strengthens our nation's energy security by decreasing our dependence on foreign oil. A constructive and productive strategy supports domestic exploration, expands nuclear power, and encourages the use of renewable fuels such as wind, solar, hydropower and biofuels where they make economic sense. It also works to improve energy efficiencies without over burdensome mandates, looks to upgrade our nation's electric grid and supports new technologies that cut consumption.

3. What timetable would you support for the removal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan?

As a 24-year veteran of the US Army, including four combat tours to Iraq, I know firsthand the problems our service men and women face in this theater of operations. I supported the troop surge in Iraq, implemented in 2007, and this concerted effort has led to stability in this critical area of the Middle East. Clearly, Iraq is not a Jeffersonian democracy, but security has greatly improved as the rule of law begins to take hold. As a result, we will begin a draw down of our troops soon. Our central concern in Afghanistan is to prevent al Qaeda from re-establishing a safe haven within its borders. Joint special-operations task forces must continue efforts against the resurgent, potent Taliban and al Qaeda, including in the Afghan-Pakistan border regions where it forms and trains. NATO forces must create an environment suitable for a conditions-based training program to foster levels of professionalism and effectiveness in Afghan forces that will allow our forces to begin coming home.

4. Do you support substantial additional federal funding for economic recovery?

I do not believe in more deficit spending for economic recovery. The economy is the single most important issue in this campaign. Continued federal funding will only sap more resources from the private sector, further increase our debt and deficit, forcing future generations to pay it back. We must move quickly to balance the budget and pay down the deficit so that future generations are not strapped with unbearable interest payments, losing funding priorities and limiting our choices and freedoms. Growth is best achieved by getting government out of the way through lower taxes, streamlined regulations, and lower health care costs. These efforts are the best form of government stimulus and are fare more effective than the failed spending policies supported by my opponent that have brought us to an unemployment rate that hovers close to 10 percent, mounting national debt, and skyrocketing deficits. Private-sector-stimulus by removing impediments to growth and investment are imperative.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 29, 2010 13:26
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