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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 Curt Novak:
Real long-term and lasting economic growth and job creation will not occur until the failed policies of the federal government are revised. Government stimulus programs such as "cash for clunkers," the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the latest "Jobs Plan" are flawed policies.
They are flawed because they rely on government central planning to allocate our limited resources instead of relying on market driven economics. These federal policies result in small, short term employment gains, while hindering solid and steady long term job growth. Federal activity to artificially prop up the economy is only delaying a real recovery.
Answer from Michael Dale Williamson:
Across the board reduction in taxes, combined with less business regulation.
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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 Michael Dale Williamson:
Across the board reduction in taxes, which will typically results in increased revenue. No Federal budget approval that includes a deficit. No Federal budget approval that increases spending beyond a similar increase in population. Across the board reduction in entitlement programs. Military and safety spending should have a high priority, and in addition to a reduction in entitlement programs, domestic spending such as on "shovel ready jobs" should be discontinued
Answer from Curt Novak:
Every reasonable person is concerned about the $15.7 Trillion dollar US National Debt. The problem is that the current incumbents in the House of Representatives are so entrenched in the narrow goals of their most extreme supporters that they cannot work together to formulate the necessary measures to reduce the Debt.
As tough as this sound, the ONLY way to reduce our debt is through a combination of reduced government spending and increased revenue.
Ongoing foreign wars, invasions and occupations have already sunk us $1.38 trillion dollars in direct allocated expense. I believe in maintaining a strong defense; however congress spends more on the military than the world's next 14 highest spending countries combined. We can maintain a strong defense while reducing military spending and reducing the federal debt.
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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 Michael Dale Williamson:
Energy policy should be one that encourages private investment and exploration while at the same time permitting exploration of U. S. domestic resources. There should however, be a regulation that insures U. S. markets do not suffer high prices resulting from U. S. shortages when producers choose to sell U. S. oil products on higher priced overseas markets. Clean energy is also something that must occur by way of private investment. Frankly, if the technology is viable and cost effective, investment will occur and clean energy will gain acceptance in this country.
Answer from Curt Novak:
I support the Pickens Plan to reduce our transportation and energy reliance on OPEC oil. In 2011 the US spent $453 billion on imported oil from OPEC. The United States uses 21% of the world's oil, but accounts for only 4% of the world's population. We purchase 60% of our oil from potentially unfriendly and unstable OPEC nations.
Trucks (18-wheelers) use 15% of every barrel of imported oil. These trucks continuously transport goods throughout our the United States while burning imported diesel.
I will work to see that the federal government aggressively shifts America's heavy truck fleets from imported gasoline and diesel to Domestic Natural Gas. We can eliminate our reliance on imported oil from the Middle East within ten years. Moreover, natural gas is readily available, less expensive and results in lower emissions. Natural gas is a domestic resource that breaks our reliance on foreign oil used for commercial transport
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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 Michael Dale Williamson:
Obamacare should be repealed. Medicare should not be forced onto retirees who have a private system in place that they prefer. Restrictions regarding the prohibition against selling healthcare policies across state lines should be removed, which creates competition. Persons should be permitted to purchase only those portions of healthcare coverage they want; it should not be a costly one size fits all healthcare insurance policy.
Answer from Curt Novak:
The United States is in LAST PLACE!
U.S. health care comes in dead last when compared to Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. In our country one person every 12 minutes, over 44,000 people per year, dies because of his lack of access to health care.
This is unacceptable!
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) fixes several health insurance problems that we face such as insurance companies not accepting a "pre-existing medical condition" or dropping sick policyholders. However, Obamacare steps over the line by forcing us to buy insurance. This mandate exceeds the governments authority.
I wholeheartedly disagree with any government mandated insurance which forces us to purchase coverage from private corporations, whether we want to or not, under threat of IRS fine, tax penalty, or possible jail time.
The secret to better health care in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom is that they all have single payer universal health care. They have limited or no "for profit" insurance middleman skimming 40-60% for their own wallets.
I support California State's single payer bill, SB 840, The California Universal Healthcare Act and will fight to pass similar federal legislation such as the United States National Health Care Act (HR 676) while assuring the government doesn't overstep our mandate to them:
· Assure that what is taken from us as taxpayers to pay for Medicare, Medicaid and National Health Care (HR 676) is not diverted towards other government programs.
· Ensure that those injured during medical treatment receive fair compensation and reduce the strain of costly malpractice litigation on the health care system.
· Stop the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from hindering our access to dietary supplements and alternative treatments.
· Prevent federal bureaucrats from tracking our personal medical information from cradle to grave in a national database.
Our health care in the United States was once the Crown Jewel of all civilized countries. Together, we will get there again!
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5. What, if any, changes should be made to federal rules on campaign financing?
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Answer from Curt Novak:
Every day we hear of Congress's inability to solve our economic, health care, education, environmental, and foreign policies. They rarely improve anything, and sometimes make matters worse, even when the voice of the people is loud and clear!
Q: Why don't politicians listen to us? Why does Congress disregard our best interests?
A: Because career politicians are overly influenced by Big Money contributions funding their campaigns.
Wall Street and Bankers contributed $311 Million dollars to candidates for federal office in 2008. Is it a surprise that the Federal Government bailed out Wall Street? Is it a surprise that Congress continues to look the other way as our financial wealth and security is debased?
The energy industry contributed $161 Thousand dollars, on average, to each member of the House and Senate in 2008. Is it any surprise that British Petroleum, a multinational corporation, received a mild slap on the wrist for the worst oil spill in our history?
As your representative in Congress I pledge to back the Fair Elections Now Act (HR 1826) and reverse the "Citizen's United" catastrophe. Let's stop Big Money from influencing our government! We need politicians that listen to US instead of Washington Lobbyists.
Answer from Michael Dale Williamson:
None.
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
