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 47 | |||||
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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 Alan Lowenthal:
I also believe we should end tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas. Answer from Gary DeLong:
The failed stimulus bill did not solve rising unemployment, but it did raise the debt by a trillion dollars with little to show for it. You can not spend your way to prosperity.
Instead of government interfering in the free market by picking winners and losers, Congress needs to eliminate burdensome regulations and reduce taxes for America's job creators. Supporting the more than 15 million small businesses that have generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years should be our priority.
Answer from Gary DeLong:
For quite some time Congress has been participating in reckless deficit spending that not only jeopardizes our economy, but also leaves our children and grandchildren accountable for our massive debt.
The national debt is now over $15 trillion, and growing. It increased at an alarming rate of nearly 50 percent in just the last four years. We must eliminate deficit spending, and yes it will be painful. We need to reduce the size of the national debt by generating an annual surplus and paying our debts.
In the last 10 years, the Federal government has doubled in size + we need to reduce the size and cost of our Federal government.
Forty-three cents of every dollar Washington spends is borrowed + our elected officials shouldn't borrow money and then turn around and spend it on programs. If you can't afford a program, you shouldn't have it.
It's no secret that entitlements are where the majority of spending occurs. I believe in Social Security and Medicare, but the undeniable truth is these programs are going broke. We must keep our promise to current retirees, but for younger Americans, these programs will need to be reformed in order to be sustainable over the long term.
It is time for Congress to follow the same spending rules that we do. You cannot spend more than you make. As your Representative I will work to pass a balanced budget and make my colleagues do the same.
If we don't fix our financial situation now, the debt we pass on to our children and grandchildren will be overwhelming. Answer from Alan Lowenthal:
With the end of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, we need to reduce defense expenditures while maintaining national security, and focus savings on increasing education and our domestic infrastructure. As a member of Congress, I will support legislation that focuses on domestic investment.
Answer from Alan Lowenthal:
California is at the leading edge of green technology innovation and the creation of "green collar jobs." I will aggressively pursue the funding and legislation necessary to support and expand these job-creating technologies and industries, and to keep them in California.
Answer from Gary DeLong:
We need to focus on developing viable and sustainable energy sources within the United States. Congress can help by streamlining regulations and investing in America's energy resources.
Whether we are advancing renewable energy, building more refineries, or studying new fuel sources, it is time to keep that money, and those jobs, here in America.
Answer from Gary DeLong:
Health Care reform should make it easier and more affordable to get insurance, not create a huge new government bureaucracy.
I support market-based reforms that increase competition and choice. We need to allow small businesses to pool together to purchase health insurance, give people the opportunity to purchase insurance across state lines, take their insurance with them if they leave their jobs, and expand health savings accounts. Answer from Alan Lowenthal:
Answer from Alan Lowenthal:
I do not support special interest money in politics, and I do not support the Citizens United ruling case; corporations are not people.
Answer from Gary DeLong:
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page. |