League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
San Diego County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Susan A. Davis Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 53

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?

How we respond to this recession is a test of who we are as a people and speaks volumes about us as a nation. I am fighting to restore an economy where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed, everyone gets their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules. I will support laws that create opportunity for middle class families to get ahead and America's small businesses to thrive. We need to reinvest in America--our teachers and classrooms, our infrastructure, and reinvent our community colleges as innovation hubs and centers for job training. Let's end tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas and fix our roads and bridges to help businesses move products and invest in renewable energy to create new jobs.

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?

There needs to be a balanced approach to reducing our national debt. Let's end the tax cuts for the wealthiest, but let the middle class keep more of their hard earned dollars. Use the revenue to help pay down the debt. Let's then reduce spending with targeted budget cuts that won't have a negative impact on our economy, ending duplicative programs and cutting out waste and fraud.

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?

Comprehensive energy reform means clean energy made right here in America, which translates into jobs. Expanding clean energy will not only help stem the dangers from climate change but it will help turn around the economy. Just recently, our state generated more than a gigawatt of electricity just from solar energy, which is equal to two natural gas power plants. San Diego leads the way in grid-connected solar panels on residential, commercial and government buildings. Because of our commitment to clean, renewable energy, California is a leader in the creation of green jobs - including 37,700 in the San Diego region. We must continue to move forward with this progress. The federal government should continue to facilitate investments in innovative energy ideas and act as a steward of environmental protection and help create an economy and environment that is built to last.

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

The federal government has a responsibility to ensure consumers are being treated fairly by insurance companies, which is what the Affordable Care Act does by ending pre-existing condition discrimination. The federal government also has a role to encourage best practices to create affordability and quality care. Finally, through Medicare and Medicaid we are able to provide for our nation's most vulnerable. Now that the Affordable Care Act is law, the goal now should be to ensure it accomplishes what it was designed to do - lower costs, protect patients, and increase access.

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

When the Supreme Court issued a ruling that gave corporations free reign to spend money on election ads, we have seen our living rooms swamped with TV ads sponsored by corporations that have largely remained anonymous. The American people have a right to know who is influencing our elections. I am supporting legislation to require greater disclosure for political ads funded by Super PACS.

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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: October 23, 2012 20:30
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