League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
State of Ohio (Adams, Brown, Clermont, Pike, Hamilton, Warren, Scioto Counties) June 14, 2005 Election
	Victoria "Vicky" (Wells) Wulsin Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 2; Democratic Party

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What are your qualifications for office?

As the only candidate with a career dedicated to public policy, I am best qualified to bring solutions to Congress that improve the lives of people here in southwest Ohio. As a public health physician of 25 years, working with thousands of patients on Social Security, and navigating through the local and national issues of Medicaid and Medicare, I have the technical grasp of two crucial issues affecting the citizens of southwest Ohio: health care and Social Security. As the third Democratic physician in the House of Representatives I will provide much-needed perspective on other related issues, such as stem-cell research, quality of life, and the right to privacy. I have directed multi-million dollar international projects, including a successful worldwide program promoting the health of women and children, even after George W. Bush refused to allow funds to be used for family planning in developing countries.

2. What do you see as the three most pressing issues you would address if elected? What plans do you have relative to those issues?

I'm running for office because I've seen the current administration's lack of progress on finding real solutions to the major problems facing Americans. Ohio families need more access to affordable health care, their government to keep its promise on Social Security, and the creation of new jobs through a growing economy and balanced budget. I'm a public health doctor and I have spent my life developing solutions to the health care needs of communities here in southern Ohio and around the world. In Congress, I'll take the same results-oriented approach to bring real change to government.

3. How would you address the federal deficit?

There is no excuse for the blatant disregard for the fiscal responsibility exhibited in Washington today. The national debt is rapidly approaching eight trillion dollars, and averages to a $26,000 debt per American. We cannot allow this increasing burden to be passed on to our children. We are wasting money by insisting on staying in Iraq without multinational support. We need to reverse the Bush tax cuts that give almost half a trillion dollars to the wealthiest 1%. We need to stop subsidizing companies that outsource jobs, and we need to cut the bureaucratic waste from government.

4. What should be the federal government's role with respect to health care?

The federal government has an obligation to make sure that every American has affordable, accessible health care. I know that we must provide affordable health care for all Ohioans. As Cincinnati's public health doctor, I fought outbreaks of disease and directed prevention programs to keep communities healthy. Backed by twenty-five years of public service, I have the medical and policy experience needed to enact progressive health care legislation in Congress.

a.. Drive down the cost of prescription drugs by allowing reimportation from Canada and shortening the amount of time drug companies hold monopolies.
b.. Set limits on unwarranted medical lawsuits that inflate the cost of care.
c.. Reduce the cost of Medicaid through prevention and early treatment

5. What plans do you have to promote a more balanced transportation system?

The strength of the economy depends on good transportation. I support efforts to develop transportation infrastructure in all parts of District 2. In particular, I support extending highway systems to counties east of Cincinnati, to Portsmouth in particular. I also support developing public transportation to help reduce pollution and allow those without cars to be able to commute to and from work.

6. In October 2005, select provisions of the USA Patriot Act are scheduled to sunset. Do you support a renewal of these provisions and/or an expansion of the Patriot Act? Why?

A balance needs to be struck between the need to prevent terrorism and the need to protect civil liberties. Certain parts of the Patriot Act have gone too far and overstepped the constitutional protections due to Americans. In our eagerness to protect our country, we cannot forget what it is that makes the United States so great.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Ohio Supreme Court Justice: Total words for the answer to the question may not exceed 50 words. The word limit must be observed. Words over the limit will be cut off in published information.

U.S. Senate: Total words in answer to the question may not exceed 100 words. The word limit must be observeds. Words over the limit will be cut off in published information.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: June 8, 2005 08:46
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