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LWV League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation

Smart Voter
Suffolk County, NY November 7, 2006 Election
Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
United States Representative; District 1


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.


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?*

Answer from Italo A. Zanzi:

The U.S. must continue to train the Iraqis so they can take over their own security. Only then will we ready to draw down American troops.

Answer from Timothy H. Bishop:

The Iraq War is a foreign policy disaster that has diminished our ability to respond to more urgent threats. That is why I cosponsored Congressman Murtha's resolution to withdraw U.S. troops as early as practicable. For our troops to succeed, they cannot be ordered to referee a civil war.


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?*

Answer from Italo A. Zanzi:

The new program is massive and had a difficult roll out. However, I believe that as seniors become more accustomed to it, they will enjoy its benefits. One change I would make is to eliminate the penalties for joining the program late.

Answer from Timothy H. Bishop:

I voted against the bill creating Medicare Part D, which helps pharmaceutical corporations and HMOs more than seniors. Since it has failed to provide affordable drugs, I support creating a government-sponsored provider plan; closing the "doughnut hole"; permanently repealing the sign-up penalty; and legalizing drug importation and discount negotiations.


3. Where do you stand on the current balance between security and civil rights?*

Answer from Italo A. Zanzi:

I believe we are trying to achieve the right balance. I have concerns, however it will take actual evidence of abuses under various laws such as the Patriot Act before I would be ready to alter them or abandon them.

Answer from Timothy H. Bishop:

Achieving an effective balance that strengthens national security while upholding individual privacy rights was set back by renewal of the Patriot Act's permanent wiretapping and subpoena authority, which precludes Congress from reviewing how the law is working and making necessary revisions we cannot yet envision.


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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Created: January 4, 2007 09:46 PST
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