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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 Loretta Sanchez:
As your elected representative, my top priority is rebuilding Orange County's economy and creating more jobs so that people can get back to work. Congress is working effectively to reduce unemployment, currently at its lowest rate in two years. I am committed to continuing this trend, ensuring that our economy is strengthened and that all American's have the opportunity to succeed.
Through tax breaks for small businesses and improvements to our roads and highways, we're getting our economy back on track while bettering our community. For the unemployed, I'm working to ensure unemployment benefits are extended, and health care is accessible.
Answer from Pat Garcia:
Allowing the Free Market to do what it does is the best way to get us out of this bureaucratic nightmare, which means we need to reduce the size of Government, lower taxes, reduce regulations and laws, and then get out of the way.
Answer from Jorge G Rocha:
We must extend the Bush tax cuts permanently. This move will impact the market positively and will motivate the capitalist to begin investing again in the economy. Along with extending the tax cuts, we must also repeal all anti-business regulations approved by the Obama administration.
The latter two strategic moves will allow the real job creators, the entrepreneurs, to begin creating the jobs which will eventually lead to a lower unemployment rate.
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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 Jorge G Rocha:
A Balanced Budget Amendment should be passed during the term of the next administration. The nation cannot sustain its current deficit spending program unless we want to go bankrupt in the near future.
During the next term a detailed audit must be done on all government departments and programs to finally eliminate all waste and fraud. After we have the audit results we will be in a better position to decide how we can best prioritice budgets for the different departments and programs and we can also decide what departments and programs to eliminate.
Answer from Pat Garcia:
The American deficit is a national disgrace. At all costs the deficit should be dealt with at once and with great speed and never be allowed to accrue again. All budgets should be cut across the board. Most Federal agencies and departments are unnecessary, operating illegally and a burden to our society and should be eliminated.
Answer from Loretta Sanchez:
As a member of the fiscally-conservative Blue Dog Coalition, I have long fought for responsible spending, and I will continue to do so. I believe spending must be curtailed, but these cuts must be smart and targeted. We have to cut unnecessary and wasteful funding, not important investments that are helping to grow our economy and helping the private sector to innovate and create jobs. And we absolutely cannot balance the budget on the backs of our seniors, which is why I am committed to protecting vital programs like Social Security and Medicare.
As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, I understand the importance of maintaining a strong military that is prepared to achieve America's ongoing national security goals. But no strategy for deficit reduction can work without a plan to cut waste, fraud and abuse within the Defense Department budget, which comprises one third of our national budget. I recently authored an opinion editorial in Politico, laying out my thoughts on where defense spending can best be cut - http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/50284.html
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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 Jorge G Rocha:
Our ultimate goal shoudl be to permanently reduce our energy dependency from foreign sources. We should explore all options available to us in the short and long term. Short and long term goals should emphssise how to best use our national resources to reach our energy independence goal as a nation, but at the same time, great precaution should be taken to insure the safety of our environment and the long term health of our citizens.
Answer from Pat Garcia:
The very question presupposes that the real objective is clean energy. This could not be further from the truth. The present energy policy of the United States is so "out of whack" that no sane person would be able to justify it or explain it. Buying oil from the Middle East and other places instead of producing it here is a National tragedy and a National Security risk.
Answer from Loretta Sanchez:
California has been blessed with incredible natural resources, and it is our responsibility to preserve our beaches, bays, and national parks for future generations. The long-term health of our country and our planet depends on the investments we make today, and I am proud to support legislation will help create a cleaner, greener tomorrow.
I believe that investments in solar energy and other green technologies not only contribute positively to our environment, but that these technologies are imperative to improving our nation's current economic situation. Solar energy will provide cost cuts to struggling families by reducing energy bills as well as providing thousands of green energy jobs.
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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 Pat Garcia:
The Federal Government has no authority to administer or pass laws concerning Heath Care in America.
Answer from Loretta Sanchez:
I support the Affordable Care Act. While not perfect, it is a step in the right direction and will bring down costs for Orange County families and small businesses, expand coverage to millions of Americans, and end the worst practices of insurance companies. As the law continues to be implemented I will work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure the law is improved so that all Americans can receive quality and affordable health care.
Answer from Jorge G Rocha:
Obamacare has to be repealed. The country cannot afford one more extravagant entitlement program.
Medicare and Medicaid have to be reformed. A detailed audit or analysis on both programs will reflect all the fraud, waste and misuse that such programs presently have. Once all waste is eliminated we have to implement a nationwide health education program on k-12 to fully cement on the youth the importance of a healthy eating and living habits.
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5. What, if any, changes should be made to federal rules on campaign financing?
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Answer from Jorge G Rocha:
I have no comment on this question.
Answer from Loretta Sanchez:
I am a strong supporter of the DISCLOSE Act, because it would have dramatically increased transparency and accountability in political spending. Corporations and foreign governments should not be allowed to issue a blank check to influence the outcome of our elections. It is completely inconsistent with our democratic principles.
We can't flood our democracy with millions of dollars in political expenditures and then keep people in the dark about who is trying to influence our elections. The end goal of the DISCLOSE Act is to provide more information to the American people so they can make informed decisions- something I think people on both sides of the aisle can agree on.
Answer from Pat Garcia:
Having never run for office before I found the Campaign Finance laws to be overly complicated and difficult to negotiate. The professionals are still doing what they did before any laws got passed; they are just doing it in a different way. Newcomers to the political arena are at a definite disadvantage. As usual, there should be as few laws as possible, that makes it simpler for everyone.
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
