Questions on Various Issues

By Glenn McMillon, Jr.

More questions posed via e-mail

Trust can only be restored by measurable results. Both the Republicans and Democrats have let their agendas get in the way of making any progress in addressing the real issues facing the state of California. By running as a member of the American Independent Party, I offer an alternative to traditional two-party politics and give people the option to abandon the parties that have betrayed us all.

2. What steps, if any, would you take to slow and/or halt illegal immigration, and to secure our nation's borders?

The solution is to address the reasons why the illegals come in the first place. I will work to impose massive fines on employers who hire illegals, and deny illegals access to public schools, hospitals, welfare, and any other publicly funded program. I would also make English the national language, and make English proficiency a requirement to hold a job.

3. What transportation projects (highway/mass transit), if any, should have priority in your district?

California's highway system is in serious disrepair, and the public transit system leaves much to be desired. I believe that expanding and integrating the many public transit systems, creating a real alternative to driving, should be the highest priority.

4. What changes, if any, should be made to the current Medicare prescription drug insurance program?

While I am not opposed to Medicare per se, the program simply cannot me maintained at current spending levels. Until we recoup the $10 billion in services that are currently going to illegal aliens, we cannot afford to spend any more on Medicare than we are currently.

5. Do you support government funding of stem-cell research? Do you support privately-funded stem cell research? Please briefly explain your answers.

Because I believe that life begins at conception, I oppose government funding of embryonic stem cell research. Stem cells obtained from, non-embryonic sources, however, are just as promising, and I support research using these cells.

6. In light of the federal government's much-criticized response to Hurricane Katrina, what changes, if any, should be made at FEMA/Homeland Security to improve our nation's ability to respond to natural disasters?

The government cannot be counted on to be the first responders to any disaster, natural or otherwise. It is up to the public to make provisions and take precautions in the event of a disaster. This is especially true of those living in disaster-prone areas such as the Gulf Coast. Disaster insurance must be required in such areas, and 72-hour kits must be highly recommended.

7. Do you support the President's policy in Iraq? What changes, if any, would you make to our current Iraq policy?

I supported the deposition of Sadom Hussein, but I believe that the nation-building process has been mishandled. I believe that we should have allowed the competing factions in Iraq to each form their own independent governments, rather than trying to hold them together. As long as they had equal share of the oil resource revenue, and allowed basic freedoms for women, there was no reason that they had to remain a single country. That being said, I support continued efforts in Iraq until the situation stabilizes.

8. Do you support a federal ban on abortion? If so, should that ban provide any exceptions (i.e. health of the mother, rape, incest).

I don't support a federal ban on abortion, but only because I believe in states rights more than federal rights. At the state level I would call for a ban on all abortions, unless the life of the mother would be endangered by carrying the child to term.

9. What changes, if any, should be made to the federal tax code?

The federal tax code should be abolished in its entirety and replaced with a tariff-based revenue system. This would not only adequately address any revenue concerns, but it would also remedy our current trade imbalances, aid ailing American industries, and prevent the outsourcing of American jobs.

10. What, if anything, should be done to reduce the federal budget deficit?

Simply put, we must cut government spending. I support outlawing deficit spending except in emergencies, and putting the government on a strict budget. No budget should be allowed to exceed 80% of the revenue collected in the previous fiscal year and at least 10% should be dedicated to paying down the debt.