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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 and Jobs,
Health Care,
Energy Policy,
National Security,
Immigration Reform
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 and budget deficits, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy and sustain job creation?
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Answer from Brandon M. Cook:
As congressman I will only support legislation that creates jobs and never any that takes jobs away from the economy. Again, the Keystone XL pipeline promises to provide 9,000 jobs to hardworking Americans. Many of these jobs are hourly positions for those who were hardest hit by the recession. Furthermore, I would oppose legislation like Obamacare, which the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) will result in 2 million less people working. It also taxes business that "keep their plans", better plans than are offered on the exchanges, 40% on the cost of those plans. I would also oppose a federal minimum wage hike. The CBO estimates that such adjustment would reduce total employment by 500,000 workers. While the news touts that that unemployment is dropping and dropping, if you look at the U-6 figures, total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers, the figures tell a much different story. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' reports that thorough first quarter 2014 the U-6 figure shows that nationally 13.4% of Americans are unemployed. In California, the rate is even higher at 16.7%. But here in Los Angeles county it even worse; the unemployment rate for Los Angeles County is 18.6%. Let's not make it harder for business to create jobs with higher costs and new taxes.
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2. What, if any, changes should be made to federal health care policies or programs?
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Answer from Brandon M. Cook:
I would support repealing the current health care policy due to the increasing taxes, premiums, and deductibles. I would support a truly free market health care system.
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3. What are your priorities with respect to our nation’s energy policy?
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Answer from Brandon M. Cook:
With the cost of gas over $4.00 gallon in the South Bay and rising electric prices, I have less money to spend on the things I enjoy. North America and specifically the United States have an abundance of natural resources, yet government keeps us from utilizing these resources. As your congressman, I would only support legislation that helps to lower these cost. Let's build the Keystone XL Pipeline. Let's expand drilling for oil on federal lands. Let's stop closing oil and coal refineries with EPA regulations. Reducing energy costs helps those at the bottom who need it the most. I know that American's can develop cleaner energy but let's let the free market create that technology. I recently saw a video for solar roadways. http://www.solarroadways.com/intro.shtml. I support clean energy but not at the cost of American jobs, higher taxes, and destruction of our economy.
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4. What, if any, changes should be made with respect to our nation’s security, including our national defense or anti-terrorism measures?
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Answer from Brandon M. Cook:
A strong America is a deterrent to evil around the globe. While we don't need to be the world's police, I do believe we need invest in a strong military with the most sophisticated technology. I also believe that our nation's open border policy is one of our greatest threats to our nation security.
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5. What is your position on the issue of immigration reform? What, if any, changes to legislation or policy would you support?
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Answer from Brandon M. Cook:
First and foremost, we must secure our borders. Legislation has already been passed and funded for a fence along our southern border. Yet, the federal government refuses to build it. While i believe our immigration system needs to be improved, I would not support any legislation until we achieve border security. Furthermore, I believe that grant legal status to the 11 million or more people that are currently here illegally will be a burden to those currently unemployed. It seems that minority leadership is pushing the hardest for immigration reforms, when a majority of those that will be hurt the most by this are minorities in urban areas.
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
