League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura Counties, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Bradley "Brad" Allen Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 24

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 and budget deficits, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy and sustain job creation?

For those who are out of work, it is a personal crisis for them and their families. The growing federal bureaucracy and overregulation is punishing working families and small businesses. Five years into the recovery the labor participation rate is the lowest in 30 years, and many of those that have jobs are working part time, the median household income has declined almost $4,000, while prices for things like gasoline have doubled.

As a small business owner I know we need a fairer, flatter tax rate, that doesn't just benefit the largest corporations. Reigning in government overreach will give small businesses the freedom to grow and create new middle class jobs. Government should work for us, not against us.

Federal Budget and Deficit. Balancing the budget will be one of my top priorities. Government Wasteful spending threatens economic opportunity. The federal government spent around 18% of our national GDP in 2001, the last year we ran a budget surplus. The policies over the last five years have put us on the path to spend nearly double that percentage over the next 20 years. We collected the highest amount of taxes last year in the history of the United States, and still ran an almost $700 billion dollar deficit. Here's the point: We do not need tax increases to balance the budget. We need a more limited government that focuses on our society's most basic needs.

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

I can't just sit by and let the best healthcare system in the world be destroyed by Obamacare. As a pediatric heart surgeon, I know that Obamacare should be replaced with market driven solutions that lower costs, improve access, and empower Americans. Having worked in private practice, major Universities, Canada, and Veterans Hospitals, I understand all aspects of healthcare, and how to best fix our system. For more information on Obamacare, and my plan for fixing our healthcare system, go to my website (http://www.drbradallenforcongress.com) to read my editorials in the Wall Street Journal, and the Santa Barbara News Press.

3. What are your priorities with respect to our nation’s energy policy?

America's energy policy must begin with energy independence as our primary goal. Dependence on foreign oil is a threat to both our national security and our economic security. At present we import 1 million barrels of oil into California every day. At $100 per barrel, this means we are sending $100 million dollars out of our economy every day, often to countries that don't even like us. To increase our energy independence we need a comprehensive energy policy. Something we've lacked for the last 5 years. Here are my ideas for energy independence:

First, reduce burdensome regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency must be fundamentally reformed.

Second, increase production of domestic oil, while at the same time protecting the environment. It can be done.

Third, complete the Keystone pipeline, which is a safer method of transporting oil and gas than rail or truck.

Fourth, we need to expand the use of clean nuclear power.

Finally, we need to continue to develop alternative source of energy.

5. What is your position on the issue of immigration reform? What, if any, changes to legislation or policy would you support?

Legal immigration is a source of strength for our country, as is respect for the rule of law. We need to address immigration reform in an incremental targeted manner, as large comprehensive bills are disastrous; just look at Obamacare.

The starting point for any discussion of immigration reform must be stronger border enforcement. A secure nation is every citizen's right. Both Democrats and Republicans agree law enforcement resources should be maximized to protect our national security and safeguard against criminal activity. Border security professionals, not politicians, should determine security methods. After this we should address the right to stay and work.

We should utilize free market principles to meet the labor demands of certain American business by allowing temporary immigrant labor to legally enter as part of a provisional legal worker program. There should also be an emphasis on keeping more (H1B Visa) foreign-born advanced degree holders in the United States.

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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: June 1, 2014 17:46
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