League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
State of California June 5, 2012 Election
	Rick Williams Answers Questions Candidate for United States Senator

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund 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?

Reduce the size, scope and intrusiveness of our federal government and take back control of our money by ending the Federal Reserve System. Our bloated government is crowding out free enterprise and genuine entrepreneurship; once we eliminate this interference the economy will flourish and new employment opportunities will be created in the private sector all over the place.

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?

I propose to cut our federal deficit by more than half with $1 trillion in spending cuts in my first year in office. From there we'll see a rebirth of entrepreneurial spirit which will spread across the nation. Cut spending; cut spending; cut spending-- including overseas military spending on unnecessary and wasteful interventions where United States interests are not at stake. I would immediately terminate five cabinet level departments-- Education, Energy, HUD, Commerce and Interior. Social security and Medicare restructuring is clearly essential; however, reduction of benefits to existing seniors would be the last area to look for cuts. We will be moving to individual medical savings accounts in the future which will, over time, reduce the healthcare burden on our taxpayer resources.

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?

I'm a strong believer in development of our domestic energy sources, including a major increase in oil drilling both onshore and offshore. We must end our dependence on foreign oil. The federal lands in our western states should be opened to private ownership and development; our national government is a poor steward and has no business acting as a land owner. This act alone (opening up our western lands) will result in a strong economic rebirth and enhancement of our floundering economy. And the converse is also true-- there can be no economic recovery as long as our federal government is clogging up the system and blocking entrepreneurship.

4. What, if any, changes should be made to federal health care policies or programs?

Individual medical savings accounts are the health care solution for the future. We need to return the healthcare decision making process to individuals, families, and their doctors. "Single-payer" healthcare delivery has proven to be an economic disaster everywhere it has been tried-- driving up costs and driving down quality. It doesn't work.

5. What, if any, changes should be made to federal rules on campaign financing?

I believe that campaign finance contributions are an essential component of free speech. Our existing structure of limitations on contributions to candidates while allowing unlimited donations to PACs has proven unwieldy and counterproductive. If an individual wants to contribute generously to a candidate, so be it.

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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.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 4, 2012 13:19
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