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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Economy,
Budget,
Energy,
Health care,
Campaign financing
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. In this time of high unemployment, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy?
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Answer from Charles Victor "Chuck" Richardson:
Having worked in the hi-tech sector for many years, it is my experience that we need to address the issue of off-shored jobs by American Corporations. Especially Corporations that provide services or products within the U.S. yet claim no U.S. profits and pay less than their equitable share of taxes using loopholes and advantages in the current tax system. Further, we have the work available to put millions of Americans to work but for some reason we are not doing it. It is time for a new, "New Deal" to repair our infrastructure and provide jobs to citizens instead of contracting out to non U.S. contractors.
Answer from Evelyn Li:
Create laws that make it easier for small businesses to survive, which will help create jobs.
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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?
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Answer from Evelyn Li:
Create a flat tax, if possible down to 13%; encourage, support and reward those who labor; cut down unnecessary business regulations; stream-line government spending; cut down and limit unnecessary government departments.
Answer from Charles Victor "Chuck" Richardson:
The only way to address it is to cut government spending. However, the cuts should be in cost of Government and not public services. For too long our government has been allowed to waste public funds on "government business" all the while getting little if anything done that is truly fruitful for the American people. It is time to make a forensic accounting of all departments of government and cut loose the dead wood and agencies that use too many resources and providing little results creating a smaller, more efficient government.
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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?
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Answer from Charles Victor "Chuck" Richardson:
I place great stock in the future of clean and renewable energy. This will be a priority for me and should be for everyone else. We need to provide public funding to research new and efficient clean energy opportunities to ultimately and cost effectively replace fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions. The technologies required to replace fossil fuels already exist and we need to immediately work to implement a program to move in that direction.
Answer from Evelyn Li:
We need to protect our environment and anyone who will use this revenue should be given tax credits and perhaps some other incentives, but spending excessive dollars on it to the point of bankrupting our country is not wise.
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4. What, if any, changes should be made to federal health care policies or programs?
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Answer from Charles Victor "Chuck" Richardson:
I would make no immediate change in Health care programs or policies until I had the opportunity to speak to experts in this field and more clearly define the need and requirements going forward. No American should have to suffer financial or worrisome hardship due to unexpected and inevitable health issues.
Answer from Evelyn Li:
Target the core problems in healthcare: encourage physicians to cut costs and save lives. Create urgent care, home care, doctors home visits that would significantly cut the cost of inpatient care. Create laws that allow equalization of power among patients, doctors, insurance companies and hospitals.
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5. What, if any, changes should be made to federal rules on campaign financing?
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Answer from Evelyn Li:
Since politicians are public servants they should be encouraged and paid by the government to run the campaign. When an individual has to raise money to run a campaign, there is an increased chance of bribery and corruption and power shifts to special interest groups.
Answer from Charles Victor "Chuck" Richardson:
I would like to put in place campaign contribution caps and limits. I believe that campaign funding is completely out of control and opens us up to campaign corruption and legislative bias based on financial factors rather than the need of the country or the people.
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.
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 California Education Fund
