League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Riverside County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Vincent P "Vince" Sawyer Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 41

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?

I believe the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation's economy would include repealing over burdensome regulations such as the Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd Frank Acts. We must also stop the government from micro managing businesses throughout the United States and allow the businesses to run the economy.
Additionally, we must change our tax code to be competitive and encourage businesses to manufacture/produce in the United States. Many other countries have a business tax rate of 15%, while the US has a 30%+ rate. It makes business sense for the jobs to migrate overseas

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?

AFTER we return jobs to America, we should shrink the size of government (both the number of employees and the scope of government activity) to bring it within the limits of the Constitution. Additionally, we must divorce ourselves from the idea that the government's business includes the redistribution of income. Taxes, and any amount borrowed, should be used ONLY for projects/programs where the expenditure equally benefits all citizens.
We should address the federal budget deficit by terminating all federal programs that are wasteful and unconstitutional and return the tax-collection and expenditure-determination authority to the states. We should stop borrowing money and then giving it away as foreign aid. We must end the US taxpayer subsidy of people on foreign soil. The U.S.A. needs a strong defense, and providing our troops with the best equipment should be one of our top priorities. Peace through strength. Under no circumstances should we acquire critical components for military equipment from foreign sources. Nor should we ever turn control of our forces over to another nation or quasi-governmental entity.
We do not need continued widespread troop presence throughout the world. We should recall our troops from several foreign countries (where we are mired in political intrigue, and where the inhabitants do not want us). However, if we are going to engage an enemy on foreign soil, our military should be in total control, we should win decisively, and we should clearly gain from the spoils of that conflict.
When recalled, our troops can be redeployed to defend our borders against illegal immigration.
Alternatively, AFTER we return jobs and our troops to America, we could reduce the size, (and tax burden), of our military staff. Oversight of domestic programs needs to be returned to the states. The Federal Government needs to focus on what it was created for + protecting the people's rights, keeping them secure from invasion and keeping peace among the states.

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?

My priorities for the nation's energy policy include striving to be independent of foreign energy. I believe the United States of America should promote (and even subsidize) research into clean energy. We should also rapidly engage in maximizing use of our existing resources - like water behind more hydroelectric dams, and solar energy in (and from) desert areas. Until it is feasible to use such energy, we need to explore and use our energy to become energy independent.

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

I believe the Federal Government should not be involved in health care policies and programs. Those programs belong to the states. It is unconstitutional for the Federal Government to require citizens to purchase a private product - or any specific product. The Federal Government should not deal with issues that interfere with our personal lives. Government has demonstrated, historically, that it is woefully inefficient in running anything business-like. Additionally, the more monopolistic control the government has, the greater the probability of graft, corruption, shortage, and inefficiency.

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

I believe the current federal rules on campaign financing allow career politicians to be "bought" by large corporations and political action committees - with the corresponding contracting, political and tax "favors" owed to those special interests - at public expense. The public interest is not secured and therefore, the general public is harmed. I believe campaigns should be financed by real, living persons or publicly financed to level the expenditure "playing field". A field where candidates compete on the issues, not who has the "deepest pockets".

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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: May 18, 2012 09:34
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