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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of New York State and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Iraq,
Medicare Drug,
Civil Rights
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. The American occupation in Iraq continues to be enormously costly in dollars and in lives. What is your position on how our government should proceed?*
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Answer from Michael J. McHale:
U.S. forces must remain there until such time as they are confident they can withdraw in complete safety, and the Iraqi military is capable of combating the terrorist insurgence on their own. To leave before such time would incite an all out civil war causing an incalculable number of casualties.
Answer from Brian M. Higgins:
Our current course in Iraq has failed to build a stable government or quell the insurgency. If Iraqis believe US troops will be present indefinitely, they have no incentive to unite their country. We must negotiate a withdrawal date to pressure them to resolve the key issues dividing their country.
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2. What is your impression of the roll-out of the Medicare Prescription Drug program so far, and what changes would you propose to make it better?*
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Answer from Michael J. McHale:
The program is too costly, and is a give away to U. S. drug companies. We could provide the same prescription coverage for our seniors if our pharmacies were permitted to import the same high quality Canadian drugs at substantially lower prices, thereby reducing taxpayer costs by billions of dollars.
Answer from Brian M. Higgins:
Medicare Part D fails to give seniors the access to low-cost prescription drugs that it should. I support an extension of the enrollment period and I am a cosponsor of legislation that would offer a Medicare-delivered prescription drug benefit and would allow for the negotiation of lower drug prices.
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3. Where do you stand on the current balance between security and civil rights?*
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Answer from Michael J. McHale:
Freedom is not free. We must pay a price for the liberty we cherish. If that means having our luggage searched at airports or other such inconveniences, so be it. I fully support the Patriot Act and the surveillance of phone calls emanating from parties suspected of having terrorist links.
Answer from Brian M. Higgins:
The balance between security and civil rights remains a great challenge. In times of war, civil rights often take a beating; while we can neither let our guard down nor fail to give law enforcement the tools it needs, concerns specific to how far this administration has gone are valid.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
- Original answers for a published Voters Guide
were limited to 50 words and are presented as submitted. Candidates have
since been invited to supply answers of any length for the Web.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
