League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles, Orange County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Gary DeLong Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 47

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?

With the second highest unemployment rate in the nation, California has been hit hard by the recession. Our top priority must be getting the economy back on its feet and Americans back to work.

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.

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?

Millions of American families keep a balanced budget every year. Washington hasn't balanced a budget in over 10 years.

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.

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?

America's economic success and security largely depend on access to an affordable and dependable supply of energy.

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.

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

Americans need more affordable access to healthcare. However, it appears the recent changes will drive up the cost of insurance premiums to both business owners and citizens, while increasing our national debt by more than a trillion dollars of taxpayer money.

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.

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

I believe that we should take the special interest money out of politics.

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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: July 10, 2012 17:34
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