League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
San Diego County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Ehab T. Shehata, M.D. Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 52

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

Questions & Answers

1. In this time of high unemployment, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy?

We must improve the American economy by moving away from interest-based economics and moving towards policies that create jobs. Job creation goes along with increasing our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The best way to do this is to increase American market share throughout the world by pursuing policies that promote peace and economic cooperation over war and hostility.

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?

The federal budget problems should be approached in the same way that we address our budgets as individual Americans. Before we spend on any programs, we have to identify a source of revenue for those programs. If not enough funding exists, then we must find ways to make due with less in each area, without wholesale and radical changes in any one sector of spending.

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?

In order to secure America's positon as a global leader, we must be at the forefront of innovation with respect to energy policy. This means diversifying our sources of energy and promoting the use of energy sources that are most sustainable in the long run. If we invest wisely in this sector of the economy, we can transform our nation from a consumer of foreign energy sources, to an exporter of technology used to harness "green" energy sources.

4. What, if any, changes should be made to federal health care policies or programs?

Federal health care policies must address the rising costs of healthcare and health insurance. Unfortunately, this is one area where special interst groups are very active in lobbying governments (both federal and state) in favor of their positions. By appeasing insurance companies and big business, government is ignoring the needs of ordinary citizens with respect to the cost of health care.

5. What, if any, changes should be made to federal rules on campaign financing?

Campaign finance reform is imperative if we are to restore faith in our democracy. Our current system promotes the election of candidates that are good at fund-raising, not those that have better ideas for the advancement of our nation. We must find ways to limit the influence of special interest groups, so that ordinary citizens have a greater voice in our system of government.

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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.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: April 14, 2012 19:53
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