League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Dakin M Sundeen Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 13

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 and budget deficits, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy and sustain job creation?

As a middle class American, I have felt and seen the effects of today's economy. Many qualified people either do not have jobs or have had to take jobs that they would otherwise not be in. I believe this to be the most important issue facing our country today. To begin a new national renewal of economic prosperity, we need to start with reforming the Federal Tax Code. We have the highest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world, and an $85 billion tax preparation industry. I support reform to a flatter, fairer system, with far less loopholes and giveaways. A simpler tax code would go a long way towards improving prosperity for all. We also need improvements in our energy and water infrastructure. Upgrading the water supply infrastructure in California would provide many well paid construction jobs, and many more for maintenance. The increased water supply will help grow agriculture and industry and the employment that will come with it. Finally I believe that building a class of skilled workers is the way to increasing the middle class. These workers will gain their skills in trade schools and community colleges. We need to open up the access to accreditation to the best trade schools out there, while increasing enforcement of the fly-by-night shops that take advantage of people searching for better opportunities. We have a growing need for skilled workers, not necessarily college educated ones. There is beauty, dignity, and honor in those skilled trades that keep our society functioning. Let's give them a shot at a middle class life that they deserve.

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

As we have seen from recent and past history, when healthcare decisions are made in Washington DC, regular people seem to lose. Bureaucrats and lobbyists gain the power to make the choices that should be made with our doctors. Reducing the involvement of the Federal Government in healthcare will go far to improve our outcomes and costs. I believe that repealing the inappropriately named Affordable Care Act is the first step to bringing healthcare back into our own control. Replacement should start with a piecemeal approach to fixing our nation's healthcare system. "One big bill" creates many problems and unforeseen difficulties, that we have all seen from the passage of "Obamacare." We should focus on bringing healthcare out of the federal government and back to the people. From there we can reduce the influence of the insurance industry and move to end the subsidies that increase costs. State insurance markets should be opened up, and we must increase the supply of doctors. These reforms can go a long way towards putting the decisions back into our hands, and out of Washington's.

3. What are your priorities with respect to our nation’s energy policy?

Increasing energy costs affect all Americans, especially those at the lower end of the economic spectrum. We need affordable energy, not fantasy solutions. This means having to be realistic about where we get our energy, and having to make tough decisions about the environmental trade offs. There is a new renaissance of domestic energy production happening now, and it is creating jobs and lowering costs. We should be engaged in all forms of energy extraction, and California should be a part of it. I fully understand the environmental concerns, and I know we can do this right with smart regulation and accountability. If energy producers damage our ecosystems they will be held responsible. Moving us forward into a better future with affordable energy will increase employment, lower costs for food and consumer goods, and improve the lives of our poorest citizens.

4. What, if any, changes should be made with respect to our nation’s security, including our national defense or anti-terrorism measures?

National defense is one of the most important powers of the federal government and should be treated with the respect and seriousness it deserves. Like most Americans I was saddened and angered by the events of 9/11. But I was also disappointed and frustrated by our entry and continuation of the Iraq war. We need a consistent and robust security policy based on protection of Americans. This includes: judicious use of our military, coordination between intelligence services, and ensuring the NSA sticks to it's mission of watching foreign communications and not our own.

5. What is your position on the issue of immigration reform? What, if any, changes to legislation or policy would you support?

Immigration is always a touchy subject in a land of immigrants. We all want to see a fair system that protects the nation's borders, while respecting the dignity of it's immigrants. Our current system seems to encourage illegal immigration while legal immigrants are forced into unnecessary costs and delays. Our system should be reformed with an emphasis on our national need for labor. I support a realistic increase in border security, while giving a pathway into legality to undocumented people currently here. Our legal system should also be streamlined to bring the best and brightest into our country to stay permanently. But we also should work towards a temporary worker program that allows for flexibility and accountability. Better immigration policy with a focus on improving America is the way forward.

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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: May 12, 2014 21:01
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