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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Economy,
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 Anna Nevenic:
In the competetive global economy, the U.S.needs to be the leader in technology,innovation, research and development.Investing in renewable energy and clean technology will move our economy forward and create many well paid jobs.Investing in new energy solutions will ease our dependence on foreign oil,and create new,green jobs for our district. Give incentives to companies who create jobs at home and tax at higher rates the one that ship jobs overseas. Close the tax loop-holes for the corporations and wealthy individuals and use the revenues for job training and internships for college graduates. 41st district can lead in this new economy . We have the talent,location,quality of life, and industry to expand existing businesses,acquire grants and federal funding.Corporations,should not be left off the hook because they claim to be jobs creators when the only jobs they have created in the last decade are in China. I can't tolerate as the rich get reacher and the Middle Class disappears. I can't just watch as the tax burden shifts away from billionaires to those who are already paying more than their fair share. I can't just sit and watch I will do something to correct all of it.
Answer from Vincent P "Vince" Sawyer:
I believe the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation's economy would include repealing over burdensome regulations such as the Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd Frank Acts. We must also stop the government from micro managing businesses throughout the United States and allow the businesses to run the economy.
Additionally, we must change our tax code to be competitive and encourage businesses to manufacture/produce in the United States. Many other countries have a business tax rate of 15%, while the US has a 30%+ rate. It makes business sense for the jobs to migrate overseas
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2. How should the federal budget deficit be addressed, now and into the future? How should budget priorities for defense and domestic programs be adjusted?
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Answer from Vincent P "Vince" Sawyer:
AFTER we return jobs to America, we should shrink the size of government (both the number of employees and the scope of government activity) to bring it within the limits of the Constitution. Additionally, we must divorce ourselves from the idea that the government's business includes the redistribution of income. Taxes, and any amount borrowed, should be used ONLY for projects/programs where the expenditure equally benefits all citizens.
We should address the federal budget deficit by terminating all federal programs that are wasteful and unconstitutional and return the tax-collection and expenditure-determination authority to the states. We should stop borrowing money and then giving it away as foreign aid. We must end the US taxpayer subsidy of people on foreign soil. The U.S.A. needs a strong defense, and providing our troops with the best equipment should be one of our top priorities. Peace through strength. Under no circumstances should we acquire critical components for military equipment from foreign sources. Nor should we ever turn control of our forces over to another nation or quasi-governmental entity.
We do not need continued widespread troop presence throughout the world. We should recall our troops from several foreign countries (where we are mired in political intrigue, and where the inhabitants do not want us). However, if we are going to engage an enemy on foreign soil, our military should be in total control, we should win decisively, and we should clearly gain from the spoils of that conflict.
When recalled, our troops can be redeployed to defend our borders against illegal immigration.
Alternatively, AFTER we return jobs and our troops to America, we could reduce the size, (and tax burden), of our military staff. Oversight of domestic programs needs to be returned to the states. The Federal Government needs to focus on what it was created for + protecting the people's rights, keeping them secure from invasion and keeping peace among the states.
Answer from Anna Nevenic:
Millions of jobs have been last and many more are in jeopardy due to reckless economic policies of the Bush administration. As the economic crisis widens, access to capital has shrunk and many business are facing potential collapse. These widespread economic problems have only served to reinforce the growing inequality between rich and poor as CEO's have been rewarded with high priced golden parachuts even as their companies disintigrate due to mismanagement and their employees are laid off.
There is a need for complete transparency, so that we know where the money is going. Military budget is too big, there are billions of dollars mismanaged and billions are spent secretely. we don't need over 500 military bases overseas. National security begins at home. Cut military spending, bring the troops home and invest the money in crating jobs and rebuilding our own country. I want to place people agenda on the front burner, and i will be able to so because I'm not taking any money from any corporations, defense contractors or any other griddy and selfish individuals.
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3. What are your priorities with respect to our nation’s energy policy? Should there be an emphasis on clean energy and reducing carbon emissions, and/or on reducing our dependence on foreign sources?
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Answer from Vincent P "Vince" Sawyer:
My priorities for the nation's energy policy include striving to be independent of foreign energy. I believe the United States of America should promote (and even subsidize) research into clean energy. We should also rapidly engage in maximizing use of our existing resources - like water behind more hydroelectric dams, and solar energy in (and from) desert areas. Until it is feasible to use such energy, we need to explore and use our energy to become energy independent.
Answer from Anna Nevenic:
Yes to all of the above. I have covered these issues in question number one.I will encourage and nurture green technology companies, which will spurr entire new industries and businesses in our district , in our state and all over the United States.
We will make investements to revitalize our infrastructure, that will lead to the systems of the future. Energy efficient homes, offices,cars, and appliances will reduce our overall energy consumtion as a nation. The future of our economy and the residents of the 41st district depends on our ability to stay ahead and be cometetive and technologically advanced.
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4. What, if any, changes should be made to federal health care policies or programs?
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Answer from Vincent P "Vince" Sawyer:
I believe the Federal Government should not be involved in health care policies and programs. Those programs belong to the states. It is unconstitutional for the Federal Government to require citizens to purchase a private product - or any specific product. The Federal Government should not deal with issues that interfere with our personal lives. Government has demonstrated, historically, that it is woefully inefficient in running anything business-like. Additionally, the more monopolistic control the government has, the greater the probability of graft, corruption, shortage, and inefficiency.
Answer from Anna Nevenic:
Access to affordable quality care is a fundamental right. Healthy people are happy, stress-free, and productive. As a nurse I have witnessed devasting effects of our current broken system of care in people lives and our economy. Many children are born with health problems, too many are chronically ill and disabled because of absence of preventative care and high dedactables. In other words millions are burden to the society, just beacuse they did not have or had unsuficient health care coverage. The passage of the Patient protection and Affordable Care Act is vital in closing the huge gap in coverage and access to health care for everyone. I will protect Safety Net Programs such as Medicare and Medicaid while we are working on a comprehensive health care system that will cover all of our citizens. Health care is a basic human right, the one who are comparing it to socialism have coverage and it is paid in most cases by tax payers.
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5. What, if any, changes should be made to federal rules on campaign financing?
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Answer from Vincent P "Vince" Sawyer:
I believe the current federal rules on campaign financing allow career politicians to be "bought" by large corporations and political action committees - with the corresponding contracting, political and tax "favors" owed to those special interests - at public expense. The public interest is not secured and therefore, the general public is harmed. I believe campaigns should be financed by real, living persons or publicly financed to level the expenditure "playing field". A field where candidates compete on the issues, not who has the "deepest pockets".
Answer from Anna Nevenic:
Real campaign reforms are long overdue. Many political decisions are based on monetary contributions that are given from corporations and wealty individuals to our elected officials.Therefore the majority of the policies that are created are not in the interest of ordinary people. This influence is prevasive throughout our government, affecting what legislation is introduced, and what becomes law.Be aware of the best funded candidates and ask where is the money coming from!
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as
submitted. References to opponents are not permitted.
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
