This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/state/ for current information. |
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Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues United States Representative; District 23 | |||||
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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.
Answer from Terry Phillips:
Although lowering taxes and cutting regulations are popular slogans, tax breaks and deregulation schemes do not create jobs. Our most urgent need is to put more money into the hands of consumers. More disposable income would mean more business revenue (stimulating even more hiring) and more tax revenue (leading to a smaller deficit). The best way to do all that is by passing a sensible, nonpartisan jobs bill.
Some of the best jobs would be in the area of infrastructure. These provide excellent compensation for workers and lasting benefits for everyone. This is not rocket science. It's not even complex economics. It's just plain common sense.
Answer from Terry Phillips:
Specifically, we need to reverse course on the policies that created this problem. I would begin by repealing tax breaks for the wealthy and stop rewarding companies that export jobs. I would also require an accurate audit and a reduction in waste at the Pentagon, which has the largest discretionary budget in the federal government.
We need to maintain a strong national defense. Runaway defense spending does not accomplish that goal; on the contrary, it makes us weaker. Instead, we need to refocus our priorities on educating future generations. At the same time, we must support our armed forces - at home and abroad - but with prudent, clearly defined missions. And we must fulfill our obligation to veterans when their mission is completed with decent medical care, job opportunities and respect.
Answer from Terry Phillips:
We urgently need to develop clean, sustainable domestic energy sources. I would also encourage programs to increase the supply and lower the cost of fuel. That would help make us more self-reliant and protect our environment. We should also learn from proven models implemented elsewhere such as feed-in tariffs. These methods enable homeowners and entrepreneurs to profit from the renewable energy they produce. In the interim, we should increase our refinery capacity.
Above all, we need to plan for the future. Yesterday's thinking will not work tomorrow.
Answer from Terry Phillips:
Promoting wellness is in our national interest and is essential to our quality of life. The skyrocketing cost of medical care is the greatest threat to our economy. It accounts for nearly 20% of GDP, a per capita cost of more than $7,500 - by far the highest of any nation on earth.
Implementing a single-payer system is the best way to control expenses. It is the most fair, efficient and affordable method to fund such services. But there should also be a private option. Those who wish to buy supplemental insurance and get more than basic services must have the right to do so.
We must also have the right to negotiate collectively and get the most favorable prices for prescription drugs as well as medical equipment and services.
Answer from Terry Phillips:
I would also support legislation correcting the U.S. Supreme Court decisions (such as Buckley v. Valeo and Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission) that equated money with speech. In effect, they permitted unlimited campaign spending. The fact is that money is not speech; it merely facilitates speech. We must have serious campaign finance reform to end this institutionalized corruption.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page. |