League of Women Voters - Voter Guide - U.S. Races
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Transcript of League of Women Voters - Voter Guide - U.S. Races
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7/31/2019 League of Women Voters - Voter Guide - U.S. Races
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League of Women Voters of MI
600 W. St. Joseph, Suite 3G
Lansing, MI 48933-2288
Voter
GuideGeneralElectionTUESDAY,
November 67 a.m. 8 p.m.
Congressional District Maps .....................2
General Information ..................................3
U.S. President/Vice President ...............4-5
U.S. Senate ...............................................6-7
U.S. Representative (Districts 1-14) ...8-25
State Board of Education ....................... 26
University of Michigan ..................... 27-28
Michigan State University ................ 28-29
Wayne State University .................... 30-31
Supreme Court .................................. 32-34
Court of Appeals ....................................
State Ballot Proposals ....................... 36
Clip & Take to the Polls ..........................
I N D E X
League of Women Voters of Michigan
2012 Nonpartisan The Leago Women Voters o Michig
would like to thank t
ollowing organizations or their fnanc
support in producing the Voter Guid
A program o the Michigan Nonproft Associat
League o Women Voteo Michiga
Education Fun
For inormation on state legislative and local races,
visit www.VOTE411.ORG
Also see www.LWVMI.ORG or links to localLeagues and additional election inormation.
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CongressionalDistrict Map
11
12
13
76
10
8
3
5
42
1
2 H LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOERS OF MICHIGAN2012 NONPARTISAN VOTER GUIDE
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About This GuideTe League o Women Voters o Michigan contacted candidates or biographicalinormation and answers to questions on issues. Te answers are printed as sub-mitted and have not been edited, except or necessary cutting when replies exceededthe stated character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. I thecandidate did not reply by the required date or publication, the words Did notreply in time or publication appear under the candidates name.
Publication o these statements and opinions o candidates is solely in the interesto public service and in no way is to be construed as an endorsement by the Leagueo Women Voters. Te League takes no responsibility or any o the views or actsstated by the candidates.
Te League o Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization established in 1920 toencourage citizen participation in government. It never supports or opposes anypolitical party or candidates.
Published by the League o Women Voters o Michigan Education Fund
(2012, LWVMI EF)
About the League o
Women VotersMISSION STATEMENT: Te League o Women Voters, a nonpartisan po-itical organization, encourages inormed and active participation in government,
works to increase understanding o major public policy issues, and inuences publicpolicy through education and advocacy.
Membership in the League o Women Voters is open to all citizens o voting age.For inormation about joining the League, please contact us at (517) 484-5383 or bye-mail: [email protected].
ax-deductible contributions to continue this non-partisan service are welcomedby the League. Please send your check to:
League o Women Voters o Michigan Education Fund600 W. Saint Joseph St., Suite 3GLansing MI 48933-2288
(517) 484-5383website: www.lwvmi.org
LWVMI President ...................... ..................... .......... Susan SmithVoter Service Director ...................... ..................... ... Eva Packard
Voter Guide Coordinator ...................................... ... Judy Culham
Online Voter Guides
Tis League o Women Voters Education Fundwebsite contains an online voters guide which displays candidate and ballot
proposal inormation or races on the ballot as applicable or a voters vot-ing address. All ederal and state races in Michigan are available as wellas local race inormation where prepared or their area by local Leagues.VOE411 allows voters to compare candidate responses to questions on rel-evant issues. VOE411 also oers inormation on voter registration, ID re-quirements, and election processes such as absentee voting.
www.LWVMI.org Te League o Women Voters o Michigan websitecontains this printed Voter Guide. It also links to VOE411.org and containsone document with all six ballot proposals and their Pro-Con inormation.Find your Local League selection provides a list o the Local Leagues inMichigan and a link to their websites where additional local election inor-mation may be available. Many list their Candidate Forums. Forums may berecorded or local cable broadcasting or online viewing.
VotingWho Can VoteYou can vote i youve registered to vote in Michigan by October 9
You can register i you are a U.S. citizen; youre a Michigan resident; ayou will be at least 18 years old on Election Day.
Photo IdentifcationA photo ID is not required in order or you to vote. Michigan does hnew ID law but i you dont have a photo ID, or didnt bring one with to the polls, you can still vote i you sign a statement that you dont hphoto ID. Youll then be able to vote.
Unless you registered to vote at your local clerks oce or at a SecretaState oce, i you are a new Michigan voter, you must meet a new edID requirement. Tis requirement can be met by showing at the pollcurrent photo ID or a paycheck stub, utility bill, bank statement or go
ment document that shows your name and the address you used on yvoter registration orm.
Absentee Voter BallotsWho can apply?Registered voters can get an absentee ballot rom your local clerk or the ollowing reasons:
You are: 60 years old or older unable to vote without assistance at the polls expecting to be out of town on election day
in jail awaiting arraignment or trial unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct other than
your own
Where and when?You can request an absentee ballot by asking your clerk or an absenteballot application. Tis application must be submitted to the clerk nothan 2 pm the Saturday beore the election. Tis application will ask o the reasons listed applies to you. You will then receive an absenteewhich can be mailed to you in another state, or overseas.
I you are a new Michigan voter, and you registered to vote other thanclerks or the Secretary o States oces, you can vote using an absentelot the frst time you vote only i you personally apply or the ballot at
clerks oce. Tis is because you are subject to the Federal frst-time ID requirements.
Returning the ballotAn absentee ballot must be returned to the clerks oce by 8 pm onelection day. Your ballot will not be counted unless your signature onreturn envelope matches your signature on fle. Only you, a amily mor person residing in your household who is acting on your instructimail carrier or an election ocial can deliver your absentee voter balthe clerks oce. Note that anyone else who is in possession o anothesons absentee ballot is guilty o a elony. I you mail back your ballotsure it has enough postage on it. Due to size, extra postage is require
For more inormation call your city or township c
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOERS OF MICHIGAN2012 NONPARTISAN VOTER GUIDE H
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QUESTION 1:
Please identiy
your top three goals
i elected.
QUESTION 2
In this time o high
unemployment, what ar
most important things
should be done to imp
our nations econom
United States President4-year term Vote for ONE (
Questions (500 characters each):
MITT ROMNEY, RepublicanVice-Presidential Candidate:Paul RyanWebsite: www.mittromney.comCampaign Phone: (857)288-3500Address: Mitt Romney or President, PO Box 149756, Boston, MA, 02114Personal Statement: I am running or president because I believe in America andknow that our best days are still ahead. I will make it my priority to create 12 mil-lion new jobs and get our economy going again.
Te rst priority o a Romney Administration will be
to create 12 million new jobs and get our economy go-
ing again. We must get our scal house in order. Presi-dent Obama has put our nation on an unsustainable
course. As president, Mitt Romney will set the country
on the path to a balanced budget. And he will ensure
we have a military so strong that no adversary would
want to test it.
Mitt Romney will get America back to wor
ing our tax code so businesses can hire mo
developing our domestic energy resourcnew jobs here at home, reversing burde
destroying regulationsincluding Obam
ensuring Americans receive education a
or todays jobs. His plan will also get spe
control to prevent a debt crisis.
As a nation, our challenges can by met by rebuilding
the middle class and our economy on a stronger oun-
dation. I have laid out a set o concrete goals on manu-
acturing, energy, education, national security, and the
decit that will create jobs, expand opportunity, and
create an economy build to last.
When I took oce we were losing private s
a rate o nearly 800,000 a month. Now we
enced 30 straight months o private-sector
creating 4.6 million private sector jobs.
posed steps to create a million more jobs by
teacher layos, putting construction work
work, bringing jobs back rom overseas,
small businesses grow.
BARACK OBAMA, DemocratVice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
Website: www.barackobama.comCampaign Phone: (312)698-3670Address: Obama or America, PO Box 803638, Chicago, IL, 606 80
I stand or a Green New Deal that will deliver 1) A
recession-proo economy that provides a job at a liv-
ing wage or every American willing and able to work,
2) An economy based on clean, renewable energy, 3)
Replacement o the predatory Wall Street banks with a
public interest banking system, and 4) A real democ-
racy in which politicians are accountable to voters not
big money donors.
My Green New Deal will create 25 m
through a nationally unded but locally
direct employment initiative. Tis will elim
term unemployment by letting workers si
the local employment oce and get a job. It
the most eective stimulus o all: millions
with paychecks.
JILL STEIN, GreenVice-Presidential Candidate: Cheri Honkala
Website: www.jillstein.org/
Email: [email protected]
Address: PO Box 260217 Madison, WI 53726-0217
Personal Statement: We cant aord our more years o Wall Street bailouts and an
economy or the superrich. We must guarantee every individual a job at a living wage,
quality health care, tuition-ree education, Social Security and a healthy climate and environment.
1. Balance the Federal Budget. 2. Cut Federal spending
by the amount necessary to eliminate decit spend-
ing without raising taxes. 3. Remove the United States
rom unnecessary and costly oreign wars and inter-
ventions, including Aghanistan.
Te Federal Budget must be brought un
to eliminate the massive decits that are
the economy and our security. Removing
o decits and debt will restore condence
capital to permit t he economy to grow.
I advocate a consumption tax which wouldeliminate taxes on income, capital gains and
creating millions o new jobs.
GARY JOHNSON, LibertarianVice-Presi dential Candidate: Jim Gray
Website: www.garyjohnson2012.com
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: (801) 303-7922
Address: 731 E South emple Salt Lake City, U 84102
Personal Statement: Aer having built a successul business, I entered public servi ce by
asking the people o New Mexico to give me an opportunity to bring common sense leadership to the Oce
o Governor. I pledged to reduce taxes, reduce the size o state governme
While Gary Johnson is listed in this Voter Guide because he met the LWVEF criteria, he is NOT on the Michigan ballot as he was ruled ineligible by the
Michigan Secretary of State.
Other Candidates: The ollowing candidates have qualifed or the Michigan ballot according to the Michigan Secretary o State, but did not meet the LWVEF c
listed or participation in the voter guide questionnaire:
1. The candidate must have made a public announce-
ment o her/his intention to run or President;
2. The candidate must qualiy or the ballot in enoughstates to win a majority o electoral votes; and,
3. The candidate must meet the Presidential Election
Campaign Fund Acts minimum contribution thresh-
old requirements or qualiying or matching unds,
based on the most recent data publicly available on
the FEC website.
VIRGIL H. GOODE, JR., US TaxpayersVice-Presidential Candidate: James N. Clymer
Website: www.goodeorpresident2012.com
ROSS C. ANDERSON, Natural LawVice-Presidential Candidate: Luis Rodriquez
Website: www.voterocky.org
4 H LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOERS OF MICHIGAN2012 NONPARTISAN VOTER GUIDE
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QUESTION 3
How can the ederal govern-
ment, in collaboration with
other levels o government,
provide an equitable, quality
public education or all chil-
dren pre-K through grade 12?
QUESTION 4:
Please explain why you do
or do not support cutting
Medicare and Social Security
to address the ederal decit.
QUESTION 5:
Please explain why you do
or do not support requiring
timely and ull disclosure o
all political expenditures in
ederal campaigns.
QUESTION 6:
Please explain why you
do not support the Env
mental Protection Age
eforts to enorce strong
air and clean water stan
in America.
Mitt Romney believes that this important goal begins
with providing parents with increased choice and in-
ormation. He has put orth a plan that would allowederal unding to ollow low-income and special
needs students to the school o their choice. Tis plan
also would support high quality charter schools in scal-
ing up and reward states that recruit and retain the best
teachers.
Entitlement programs like Social Security and Medi-
care are large parts o the ederal budget. Mitt Rom-
neys plan to reorm these programs will not onlyprotect the benets and services o current seniors
and those nearing retirement, but will strengthen the
programs so they are available or uture generations.
Mitt Romney understands that money can be a cor-
rupting inuence in politics. But layers o regulations
have not taken money out o politics; they have insteadcreated a system o PACs that are not accountable to
the candidates they support. He believes the best so-
lution is swi and ull disclosure o all donations to
candidates. Tis allows the American people to hold
politicians accountable.
Mitt Romney is proud o the environmen
that we have made to improve our nations
ter quality and supports continued progreswhile our air and water laws have served u
the years, he recognizes that they are sign
o date and in need o reorm.
My administration spurred 46 states to raise standards
or teaching and learning and strengthened Head Start.
Millions o students are paying less or college because
we cut student loan subsidies or banks and doubled
scholarships. We will recruit 100, 000 math and science
teachers, train 2 million workers or real jobs through
community colleges, and cut the growth o tuition in
hal.
Social Security and Medicare are sacred compacts with
seniors who earned benets aer a lietime o hard
work. I added eight years to the solvency o Medicare
without cutting benets by cracking down on waste,
raud, and subsidies to insurance companies. I have
proposed steps to strengthen Medicare and Social Se-
curity without slashing benets or subjecting it to the
whims o the stock market.
Powerul special interests should not drown out the
voices o the American people. We need to pa ss the
bipartisan Disclose Act that would establish the tough-
est-ever disclosure requirements or election-related
spending. I also support campaign nance reorm, by
constitutional amendment i necessary.
Nothing is more important than ensuring
breathe and the water we drin k is sae. We
decades o gridlock to double uel mileag
eectively cutting your cost at the pump
reducing air pollution. And weve set st
new mercury and other toxic air emissions
plants and other sources that combined wi
21,600 lives a year.
DUTIES: The President is the head o state o the United States o
America and is the Chie Executive Ofcer and is the Commander in
Chie o all military orces. The powers o the President are described
in the Constitution and ederal law. The President appoints the mem-
bers o the Cabinet, ambassadors to other nations and the United
Nations, Supreme Court Justices and ederal judges, subject to Sen-
ate approval. The President, along with the Cabinet and its agencie
is responsible or carrying out and enorcing the laws o the United
States. The President may also recommend legislation to the United
States Congress. Limit o two terms.
Base Salary: $400,000 per year.
Copyright 2012 by the League o Women Voters Educatio
I will end Washingtons attempts to promote high
stakes testing, corporatization o public schools, and
destructive union-busting schemes. I will repeal the
misguided No Child and Race to the op laws and re-
ocus on creating schools that prepare students or lie-
time learning: ull unding, small class sizes, teachers
that are well trained, respected, and compensated, and
parental involvement.
Neither Medicare nor Social Security will be cut under
the Green New Deal. I will guarantee health care or
everyone under a Medicare or All reorm that will save
trillions by streamlining the massive, wasteul, health
insurance bureaucracy and ending runaway medical
ination. I will make Social Security permanently sol-
vent by liing the income cap on the payroll taxes.
I support ull disclosure o donor identities. But we
must do more to eliminate the poisonous impact o
big money on our democracy. We must amend our
Constitution to prevent corporations rom stealing our
democratic rights by claiming the same rights as real
people. We also need to end the buying o elections
by providing clean money unding or candidates that
agree to spending limits.
We cannot aord the health injuries, natur
losses, and ecological disintegration that
lax EPA enorcement. I will require EPA to a
threats to our air, land, water, and climate
racking, deepwater drilling and more. EPA
implement the ozone standards that were k
Obama Administration.
Te Federal government cannot and should not try
to provide public education. Decades o increasing
ederal intererence in education has done little other
than stie innovation and competition in public educa-
tion. Education should be le to the states, which willpermit the types o innovation and education choices
that will allow us to regain its competitive advantage in
global education.
It is not possible to preserve health care programs or
uture generations, while bringing ederal spending
under control and not reducing Medicare. Not ad-
dressing Medicare and Medicaid spending will result
in an insolvent system. Under a program o blockgrants, the states can ashion their own health care pro-
grams or those who need assistance, more eectively
than the Federal government.
Full and immediate disclosure and transparency or
campaign contributions and expenditures is the only
eective way to give the American public condence
in the system and allow them to make their own deci-
sions regarding the propriety o how one candidate oranother nances his or her campaigns.
Te Federal governments most undament
protect citizens. o the extent that ulllin
requires enorcement actions by the EPA, th
ment should be reasonable, but adequate to
rom harm. Te EPA, however, should nobusiness o managing the environment thr
lations that orce decisions that should be
marketplace, such as energy.
Note: All candidates who meet the criteria listed at the let were invited to participate in th
guide. The list o candidates on a states ballot may be diferent.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOERS OF MICHIGAN2012 NONPARTISAN VOTER GUIDE H
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QUESTION 1
FEDERAL BUDGET:How will you address the
ederal decit?
QUESTION 2
HEALTH CARE:What is your position
afordable health care o
United States Senator Six-Year Term Vote for One (1)
U.S. Senators share the responsibility with U.S. Representatives or enactment
o the nations laws as provided in the U.S. Constitution. Senators ratiy inter-
national treaties and confrm Presidential appointments o Cabinet members,
ederal judges, and oreign ambassadors. A Senator must be at least 30 years o
age and a U.S. Citizen or at least 9 years.
Questions (500 characters each):
PETE HOEKSTRA, RepublicanCampaign Website: www.hoekstraorsenate.comOccupation / Current Position: Serve on several advisory boards and a SeniorAdvisor at Dickstein ShapiroEducation: Bachelors rom Hope Coll ege and MBA rom University o MichiganQualications / Experience: I worked or 15 years at Herman Miller, a Fortune500 company, becoming Vice President o Marketing. I ser ved or nine terms asU.S. Representative or the S econd Congressional District o Michigan. During my time in Congress,I served as the Chairman o the House Intelligence Committee.
Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue
problem. We need to end duplicative programs, many
have been identied by the GAO that would save bil-
lions. We need to streamline government to eliminate
redundant programs between governments. We also
need to return to pre-Stimulus spending levels (minus
Veterans) that would save us billions more. For the
long-term, we need to reorm entitlement programs.
A major component will be growing the economy by
implementing pro-growth policies.
I support common sense, ree-market
solutions that provide or aordable and
health care or all Americans. I believe ever
should be able to choose their insurance, d
hospitals. Patients should have the right to c
health care provider and receive access to
they need it. Commitment to reorms that
government intererence and more individ
o health care is needed. Government shou
the ability to decide who your doctors ar
insurance you have.
We need to scrutinize everything the government does
and cut what is not working to reduce our debt rather
than balance the budget on the backs o middle-class
amilies and seniors. As Chairwoman o the Senate
Agriculture Committee, I authored a bipartisan Farm
Bill that cuts $23 billion in unnecessary government
spending while strengthening initiatives ocused on
growing our economy. Creating jobs is critical we
will never get out o debt with so many Americans out
o work.
We need to do everything we can to lower
healthcare or Michigan amilies and busin
thored the provision that allowed small b
get a tax cut right away or providing healt
to their employees. I have been a strong a
making sure women have access to basic
services like bir th control, maternity care a
health screenings. I am also committed to
and protecting Medicare that our seniors h
DEBBIE STABENOW, DemocratCampaign Website: www.stabenoworsenate.com
Occupation / Current Position: United States SenatorEducation: Bachelors and Masters Degrees, Michigan State UniversityQualications / Experience: Michigan has always been my home, and I caredeeply about the uture or our middle-class amilies. I believe the only way wehave a middle-class in Michigan is i we are making things and growing things. Iam leading the eort in a bipartisan way to bring the jobs o the uture to our state.
HARLEY MIKKELSON, GreenCampaign Website: Harleymikkelson.comOccupation / Current Position: Retired
Education: Bachelor o Science, Michigan State UniversityQualications / Experience: Vietnam Veteran U.S. Army, 27 years as a State oMichigan Employee in the Departments o Community Mental Health, Education,and Human Services, ormer Union oce holder, ormer U.S. Post Oce employee,ormer actory worker, ormer telephone company employee, and arm worker
Te ederal government needs to spend what is needed
to keep us secure, provide opportunities, and provide
or our general welare. Te ederal government could
eliminate the decit overnight by printing money but
that would lead to ination. In order to control ina-
tion the government needs to take money out o cir-
culation by taxing people with excess income. People
need to realize it is their duty to pay taxes and the more
money you have the more you should be paying in
taxes.
Health care in most industrial countries cos
10% o GNP; we pay about 17% o our GNP
care. We need an improved Medicare prog
ing everyone. o pay or this Medicare p
should institute an 8% income tax and base
deductible amounts on ability to pay. Tis
Medicare system should provide better heal
more reasonable cost by making both the g
and individuals responsible or controlling
Simple math, this is America we are talking about.
Why limit oursel to either o the ba d choices o spend-
ing cuts or tax increases, lets grow our way to greater
prosperity. No need to spend valuable time on what
current laws or regulations to remove, lets just not add
more, American business will soon adapt and excel as
long as they understand the rules and that they will re-
main consistent.
On this issue the laws have been put in plac
on by the current two party dominated syst
greater good or not this is a classic issue wh
party could have proved valuable in decidi
all paid or our care, and the care o our ell
RICHARD A. MATKIN, US TaxpayersOccupation / Current Position: Retired U.S. Army (AIRBORNE)!Education: BA University o Detroit Mercy (Summa cum Laude) MA University o Detroit MercyQualications / Experience: As a retired U.S. Army paratrooper I have lived and worked in multiplecountries, I have taken the pulse o those both riend and oe o our way o lie, also being inducted asa lietime member o the Jesuit National Honor Society, VFW and DAV, I have an eye on the impor-tant social issues we ace.
Unlike the national debt, decits are created each year.
Tey are the result o Congress creating a budget that
exceeds that years revenue. o avoid creating a de-
cit, I would oppose any budget that would increase the
overall amount spent, i a decit was incurred in the
previous year. I would also call or the transparent re-
tirement o the Federal Reserve System which enables
the annual creation o decits, and the growth o a debt
that costs us more in interest and payments each year.
Tis is outside the scope o Congressiona
it would be wonderul so long as people c
their individualized care, and nobody is e
to pay or it. Te best way to do this is to
parent pricing and let providers compete
sumers business. Tis would bring down
insurance companies should be allowed
across state lines and oer as many dieren
tures as they wish so the insured have mo
SCOTTY BOMAN, LibertarianCampaign Website: http://scottyboman.orgOccupation / Current Position: Science and Mathematics Proessor at MacombCommunity College and Wayne Co. Community College Dist.Education: Wayne State U: eaching Certicate (199 8) and MA (1999) WesternMichigan U: MA in Physics (1987 ), and BS (198 5) Majors: Physics and Philosophy.Minor: Mathematics.Qualications / Experience: Ive been a proessional educator or 20 years. I servedon the Wayne State U. Student Council in 19 99. I was Chair o the Liber tarian Party o Michigan in2006. My most important qualication is the ability to only approve laws that are consistent with theUS Constitution and individual l iberty.
JOHN D. LITLE, Natural LawDid Not Respond in time or publication
Lets celebrate freedom...
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QUESTION 3
ENERGY:Do we need a national energy
plan? I so, summarize what
should be included in it.
QUESTION 4:
IMMIGRATION:What changes, i any,
do you support to
immigration policy?
QUESTION 5:
EFFECTIVEGOVERNMENT:
What will you do to reduce
the current level o hyper-
partisanship in Congress?
QUESTION 6:
PRIORITIES:What are your legislat
priorities and what act
will you propose
regarding them?
Te United States must adopt a long-term, multiacet-
ed all o the above approach to addressing the current
status o energy prices. For ar too long we have allowed
ourselves to become dependent on oreign sources o
energy putting our economic and national security
at risk. America could achieve energy independence.
Congress must adopt a balanced energy plan that can
increase production and promote conservation while
protecting environmental priorities.
Continue to advocate or rational, balanced immigra-
tion reorm that opposes amnesty, secures the border,
does not award illegal behavior, and utilizes a work-
able paperwork process. Workable and eective im-
migration reorm is an important objective and should
certainly recognize our immigrant heritage. Te ocus,
however, must be on border security and a legal iden-
tication process. Border patrol and law enorcement
must be provided the tools, technology and resources
to control our borders.
Its about relationships and leadership. In many re-
gards, the tone is set rom the top. Unortunately, Pres.
Obama locked out Republicans his rst two-years with
wide margins in the Senate and the House. Aer the
election, he doubled down and again reused to work
with Republicans and pursued his policies through
regulations. I am willing to work with anyone that is
interested in reorming government, reducing wasteul
spending and creating jobs through ree market prin-
ciples.
We need to embrace pro-growth policies. T
tax reorm, regulatory reorm, domestic en
and spending reorm that encourages inve
creates jobs. We must make the tough de
allow the ree market to operate in order o
a better country or the next generation.
o get our state growing rapidly again, we must contin-
ue to transorm our economy and see more advanced
manuacturing in Michigan. Tats why we need a do
it all energy strategy that includes more American oil
and natural gas, more wind, solar, and other clean en-
ergy sources, more uel eciency, and more advanced
batteries or vehicles. Tis approach will create jobs,
help our companies and workers be more globally
competitive, and reduce our dependence on oreign oil.
I have consistently supported strong border protec-
tions and tough enorcement to stop illegal immigra-
tion. It is clear that we need comprehensive immigra-
tion reorm, which should be ocused on supporting
our national security, American jobs, and the needs o
Michigan.
As Chairwoman o the Senate Agriculture Commit-
tee, I brought Republicans and Democrats together to
pass a bipartisan Farm Bill to cut $23 billion in spend-
ing and help strengthen Michigan agriculture. I work
closely with my Republican colleagues, like Congress-
man David Camp, on issues important to Michigan
like stopping Asian Carp and protecting our Great
Lakes. I work across the aisle every day on initiatives
to strengthen American manuacturing and stand up
or workers.
My top priority is getting our middle-cl
back on their eet by ocusing on what w
Michigan: making things and growing th
continue to push or new job opportunitie
ture, and to advocate or policies that make
leader in manuacturing and producing ad
teries and vehicles o the uture, and will
countries like China who cheat our trade
continue be a champion or our Great Lake
ral resources.
We need a national energy plan which emphasizes con-
ervation. We need a plan which encourages people to
ive in cities and towns; our cities and towns need to
be made physically smaller so public transportation
would become more attractive and people could actu-
lly walk to stores, work, and entertainment acilities.
We also need a carbon tax to encourage people to pur-
hase more energy ecient homes and cars. We need
o continue to encourage renewable energy sources.
We need to make all immigrants legal and put t hem on
a path towards citizenship. We need to liberalize our
legal immigration policies, but discourage uture illegal
immigration by having severe penalties or people and
corporations who employ illegal immigrants
Political ree speech was very important to the ram-
ers o the Constitution. Te Supreme Court was wrong
when it ruled money equals speech. It now costs so
much money to run an eective political campaign
that special interest groups own our politicians. We
need to make it easier or people to run or political o-
ce by providing public nancing to all people running
or oce. Public nancing would lessen the inuence
o special interest groups and the level o partisanship.
Our national priority should be to create a
economy with increased opportunities or
Education is the key to providing increase
nity or people; I would propose increased
preschool through college education. o cr
tainable economy I would propose legisla
would encourage conservation, local ood p
and processing, and more compact livable
towns.
Yes we absolutely must have a strong national energy
plan. Again this is America we are talking about, we
are by ar the greatest nation on the ace o the earth.
We can produce or acquire all the energy we need to
maintain the high quality standard o livi ng that makes
America the most desired home address on the planet.
No need or politcal gamesmanship on this issue.
I nd we have a quality legal immigration system, and
we have more than enough laws and regulations to help
support it (as long as we honor them).
Not having a strong third party to orce real votes on
issues is an issue in itsel, it is however one that we as
voters can and should change starting now. I believe I
give the true independent voter a viable choice.
Make the persuit o knowledge (education)
munities our number one issue. A wise an
society will advance the quality o lie in
o our economy. Education will also help m
amilies, amilies able to build a saer envi
live work and play at every age and income
to give every american t he reedom to exce
Not i the implication is that Congress should do the
planning. Planning o this kind is not part o the enu-
merated powers, and the industria l revolution took o
just ne without the intererence o central planners.
Tere are, however, some changes in current policy
that would help: Removing caps on liability or tangible
damages by energy providers would remove the need
or most o the environmental regulations imposed by
the Federal Government.
Ethnicity-based quotas should be discarded. Many
people immigrate illegally because the wait time or le-
gal immigration (rom their country) exceeds a normal
human lie-time. Immigration should be granted on
the basis o the immigrants ability to be independent
o government assistance. Tis could either be based
on employment, or a sponsor who is willing to take -
nancial responsibility or the immigrant. Political asy-
lum should be granted when appropriate.
Congress is almost completely made up o Republi-
cans and Democrats, Id reduce hyper-partisanship
by not being one o them. Establishment politicians in
both major parties have worked to together to sink t his
nation ever deeper in debt, neglect the Constitution,
invade our privacy, threaten us with indenite deten-
tion, and perpetuate endless war. Id vote against decit
spending and interventionist crusades. Id support the
restoration o civil liberties and the retirement o theFed.
Id only support legislation that is consist
Constitutionally enumerated powers. Id in
islation to do the ollowing, or cosponso
introduced by a colleague: Repeal the de
sions o the NDAA o 2012. Audit and reti
al Reserve System. Deund undeclared wa
out the occupation o oreign countries by
itary. End decit spending. Reduce axes
eral Drug laws. End warrantless domestic
Remember to vote on November 6.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOERS OF MICHIGAN2012 NONPARTISAN VOTER GUIDE H
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7/31/2019 League of Women Voters - Voter Guide - U.S. Races
8/25
QUESTION 1
FEDERAL BUDGET:How will you address the
ederal decit?
QUESTION 2
HEALTH CARE:What is your position
afordable health care o
United States Representative Two-Year Term Vote for One (1)
U.S. Representatives share the responsibility with Senators or enactment o the
nations laws as provided in the U.S. Constitution. Laws that require payment o
taxes are initiated in the House o Representatives. A Representative must be
at least 25 years o age and a U.S. Citizen or at least 7 years. Michigan has 14
Congressional districts as o 2013.
Questions (500 characters each):
DAN BENISHEK, RepublicanBenishek2012.com
Occupation / Current Position: U.S. RepresentativeEducation: I graduated rom the University o Michigan in 1974 with a degree in biology. From there,I went on to graduate rom Wayne State University School o Medicine in 1978 aerward returning tothe U.P.Qualications / Experience: Ive lived in Northern Michigan my entire lie (with the exception o mytime at school). As a husband, ather, doctor and small business owner I want to inject common-senseback into our government to ensure that the American Dream is accessible to all Michiganders.
I am a doctor rst--not a politician. Like all Northern
Michiganders, I am concerned about my children and
grandchildrens uture. One o the primary reasons I
ran or Congress was to work to put our nation back
on a path o scal stability, so that uture generations
will not have to pay or our ree-spending ways. As my
voting record shows, I have supported principled bud-
gets that will work to reduce our Nations decits while
maintaining essential government programs.
As a doctor or nearly thirty years, I have w
tremendous amount o waste that is built int
ican health care system. It is my belie that al
deserve more control over their health ca
support market-based reorms, such as se
ance across state lines, the expansion o he
accounts, and increased innovations in med
ogy that will work to drive down the cost o
and make it more aordable or all America
Responsible decit reduction must begin by ending
wasteul government services and spending. Te non-
partisan Government Accountability Oce reported
that $200 billion in redundant and wasteul programs.
Tats not right. We need to get our decit under con-
trol but it must be done in a responsible way. I am in
avor o eliminating Congressional earmarks, subsidies
or big oil companies, tax breaks or the ultra-wealthy
and oreign aid to countries like Pakistan.
Health care costs continue to rise or averag
amilies. Tere have been some reorms su
ing insurance companies accountable or
ensuring they can no longer deny covera
o a pre-existing conditions we must ad
health care costs. I support Medicare an
to keep the program strong or years to c
oppose cuts to beneciaries. I will work to
care or our veterans and ensure that VA
more accessible.
GARY McDOWELL, Democratwww.McDowellForCongress.com
Occupation / Current Position: Farmer, small businessmanEducation: Lake Superior State University
Qualications / Experience: Volunteer reghter, Volunteer EMS, Member,
Chippewa County Economic Development Council, Chippewa County Commissioner,
State Representative
Last year, the ederal government borrowed 36 cents o
every dollar it spent. Tis is unacceptable. Along with
Libertarian candidate or President Gary Johnson, I
support cutting ederal spending to balance the bud-
get immediately. We must get serious about cutting
subsidies, incentives, bailouts and reducing deense
spending by bringing troops home. We must change
entitlement programs--they are unsustainable and will
bankrupt us. I do not support tax increases as a way tobalance the budget.
I support the repeal o ObamaCare. I wou
peal Bushs Medicare prescription drug ben
care is a consumer good like ood, shelter an
As in those markets, consumers spending
money caring or their own well-being in
their own preerences will lead to greater c
ter delivery and lower prices. Te last thing
more government responsibility or individ
care, which will just drive up prices and lshortages.
EMILY SALVETTE, Libertarianwww.salvette.com
Occupation / Current Position: Part-time research secretary, University o Michigan;
community volunteer
Education: BA Economics, University o Michigan; M A elecommunication Arts,
University o Michigan
Qualications / Experience: Ive been active in Libertarian Party politics since 1982,
serving as Michigan State Chair and on the Libertarian National Committee. My husband o 35 years hasalways worked in the auto industry, so our amily has ridd en the roller-coaster o bad economic policies. I
know something needs to change.
DISTRICT 1
ELLIS BOAL, GreenDid Not Respond in time or publication
DISTRICT 2I was elected to Congress under the banner o Stop
Spending, Create Jobs, Protect Lie. Tat slogan still
denes my role in Congress. I have voted or serious
budgets proposed by the U.S. House o Representa-
tives . Instead o getting serious about the governments
spending addiction, the Senate has reused to pass
a budget in our years. We must rein in government
spending and I will not kick the can down the road.
I believe that we can achieve aordable hea
all by nding innovative, ree market base
that reduce prices or everyone. Tis Congr
duced H.R. 3819, the Health Freedom or S
which allows seniors to roll their retireme
into tax-ree Health Savings Accounts. Ot
reorms include allowing insurance compan
pete across state lines, and giving young peotion to invest in health options other than M
BILL HUIZENGA, Republicanwww.huizengaorcongress.com
Occupation / Current Position: U.S. Representative and small business owner
Education: B.A. in Political Science rom Calvin College, 1991
Qualications / Experience: I was born in Zeeland and spent my whole lie here in West Michigan. As a small
business owner and a ormer Realtor, I know that it is the private sector that creates jobs. Most importantly,
I am a husband and a ather o ve children.
WILLIE GERMAN, JR., DemocratDid Not Respond in time or publication
MARY BUZUMA, Libertarianelectmarybuzuma.com
Occupation / Current Position: Secretary Libertarian Party o Michigan. US Navy Retired
Education:B.A. Political Science
Qualications / Experience: 26 years as an Intelligence Specialist in the US Navy.
Government spends too much because it does too
much and everything (including deense and entitle-
ments) needs a critical eye. Its time to reassess the role
o the ederal government and identiy responsibilities
that could be returned to the states or be met more e-
ciently by the private sector where there would be e-
ciency and accountability. Republicans and Democrats
arent really interested in doing this. I they were they
would have done it by now.
Health care is personal and could be mo
able i government stays out o it. Fewer g
mandates and less regulation will allow
and competition to make health care more
and more accessible to all Americans. Rem
trary obstacles to interstate competition am
insurance providers will reduce costs. Me
Medicaid costs can be contained with vouc
niors and block grants to the states.
8 H LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOERS OF MICHIGAN2012 NONPARTISAN VOTER GUIDE
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QUESTION 3
ENERGY:Do we need a national energy
plan? I so, summarize what
should be included in it.
QUESTION 4:
IMMIGRATION:What changes, i any,
do you support to
immigration policy?
QUESTION 5:
EFFECTIVEGOVERNMENT:
What will you do to reduce
the current level o hyper-
partisanship in Congress?
QUESTION 6:
PRIORITIES:What are your legislat
priorities and what act
will you propose
regarding them?
An all-inclusive national energy plan, which will work
to eliminate burdonsome regulatory red tape, stream-
line ederal processes, and modernize energy produc-
tion will be vita l to creating jobs and growing our econ-
omy. As a member o the House Natural Resources
Committee, I have supported this type o legislation,
and look orward to continuing to do so in the uture.
Immigration must be legal and regulated, and our bor-
ders must be secure. Uncontrolled access to our coun-
try increases entitlement expenses, decreases available
jobs, and renders us vulnerable to terrorists who want to
harm us. Tis is a national security issue with which we
cannot compromise. However, we must ensure that ad-
equate visas are available to skilled workers who are not
otherwise competing or jobs with American citizens.
As most know, I am not a partisan man. In act, one o
my great riends in Congress is a Democrat. Now, that
doesnt mean we agree on all o the issues, but we cer-
tainly do have a good working relationship. As a doc-
tor, you dont treat patients based on party afiation. I
tend to view my colleagues in Congress the same way.
I someone has a good idea, I try to learn more about
it. It doesnt always work out, but I think this approach
works well.
My number one priority is improve the ec
bring jobs to Northern Michigan. I believ
this by creating a healthier regulatory envir
our job creators and small businesses, as w
ducing ederal spending and taxes. I will
support tax reorm that lowers overall rat
viduals and corporations while closing lo
special interest groups.
Energy independence is not just an economic issue
but a matter o national security. Ill ght to reduce
our dependence on oreign oil by supporting a strat-
egy that includes alternative energy like wind, solar
and biouels while responsibly expanding production
o American oil and natural gas. Michigan is the ideal
place to manuacture the products needed in a clean
energy economy. I will work to eliminate subsidies and
tax breaks or big oil and instead invest in American
sources o en
Washington has ailed when it comes to solving the
problem o illegal immigration. We need to secure the
borders and the ederal government has got to crack
down on employers who hire illegal immigrants. Its
time we held these corporations accountable. We also
need to increase our enorcement o laws against pass-
port and visa raud. I oppose any type o amnesty or
illegal immigrants. We need a undamental, bipartisan
common sense solution to immigration reorm, now
more than ever.
Washington is broken. Tere are very ew people in
Congress willing to work across the aisle to solve the
many problems acing our country. Whats worse, the
special interests are using their unlimited resources to
get what they want while leaving regular people out o
the process. In Congress, I will look out or the regu-
lar working people o Northern Michigan. I will work
across the aisle to do whats right or the middle class,
not the special interests.
Ill protect Medicare and Social Security
any eort to privatize them. Ill preserve
Lakes by opposing drilling, preventing
rom bottling our water or prot and prev
sive species rom entering our lakes. Ill g
paying jobs in Northern Michigan by op
trade deals that dont protect jobs, help sm
hire locally by ensuring they have access to
support our tourism industry by promotin
Michigan.
No, we do not need a national energy plan. In act, we
hould eliminate the ederal Depar tment o Energy.
I welcome those who want to come to America and
support open borders. Tose who come here should be
screened or violent criminal background and inec-
tious diseases, but beyond that, its a ree country and
people should be able to come and go as they wish. One
o the most pernicious eects o current immigration
policy is the governments intrusion into the employer-
employee relationship. Job creation depends on em-
ployers being able to hire workers easily without a loto red tape.
Te cure or hyper-partisanship is easy: I Congress
werent or sale, people wouldnt be ghting so vicious-
ly over the spoils. We need small, limited government
that ocuses on protecting the rights o all individuals
equally, not a government doling out tax-unded avors
to special interests and inuential voting blocs. For less
strie, be independent. Live Free.
I would work to end all wars now. In additio
ing the troops home rom Aghanistan and
our military on deense rather than oense,
to end Congress relentless pseudo-wars on
migrants and business. Repeal Dodd-Frank
stimulus programs. Extend Bush tax cuts
should stand down rom trying to micro-m
ery aspect o our lives. Its eorts do nothin
uncertainty, ineciency and spend us into
believe in an all-o-the-above energy policy. Te age
o picking winners and loser is over. Debacles such as
Solyndra prove that the government cannot be trusted
o invest taxpayer dollars in questionable ventures.
What the government can do is to remove the red tape
hindering projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline. Tis
would create thousands o jobs without passing ex-
penses on to the taxpayer.
Americas immigration policy is broken. A workable
and eective immigration bill is an important objective
and the discussion should certainly recognize Ameri-
cas immigrant heritage and respect the enormous con-
tributions o immigrants by encouraging and enorc-
ing legal immigration. I will advocate or rational and
balanced immigration reorm that opposes amnesty,
ensures more secure borders, urges respect or the ruleo law, and does not reward illegal behavior.
I believe it is important to work together with Demo-
crats and President Barack Obama as much possible
without sacricing core principles. People rom across
the country are elected on dierent platorms, but all
o them are held in check by their constituents. As long
as we can work towards reining in ederal spending,
creating jobs and protecting lie, I am more than will-
ing to compromise with Americans o any politicalpersuasion.
Creating jobs remains the top priority. At th
House o Representatives has passed 30 j
bills that are languishing in the Senate. I w
to support bills that roll back excessive red
impending tax hikes on both the American
small businesses, and stop the unsustainabl
Secondly, I believe in protecting the sanct
introduced language that would ban taxpaabortions, and I will continue to ght or th
We dont need a n ational energy plan. Te government
needs to stop picking winners and losers through sub-
idies and incentives or sp ecic energy resources. Te
ree market will meet our energy needs in the most
conomical and ecient manner.
Make it easier or a potential immigrant to get a work
visa. Repeal the arbitrary and restrictive cap on H1-B
visas or highly skilled workers. Create a temporary
worker program or lower skilled workers to meet
long-term labor demand and reduce incentives or il-
legal immigration. Reocus border-control resources to
keep criminals and terrorists out o the country.
I would not vote or any legislation without rst con-
sulting the Constitution to be sure its within the power
o the ederal government. It wouldnt matter i a Re-
publican or Democrat introduced it. I would ollow
Ron Pauls lead to encourage constitutional debate in
the nation by engaging in constitutional debate in Con-
gress.
Show the American people that Im really
about cutting spending by letting sequestrati
No ederal program should be immune r
cuts. I would not vote to raise the debt ceili
vote to repeal Obamacare beore it kills us
not vote to replace it with Romneycare. G
tary men and women out o Aghanistan as
as saely as possible. Insist on a non-interven
eign policy both militarily and nancially.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOERS OF MICHIGAN2012 NONPARTISAN VOTER GUIDE H
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10/25
QUESTION 1
FEDERAL BUDGET:How will you address the
ederal decit?
QUESTION 2
HEALTH CARE:What is your position
afordable health care o
United States Representative Two-Year Term Vote for One (1)
U.S. Representatives share the responsibility with Senators or enactment o the
nations laws as provided in the U.S. Constitution. Laws that require payment o
taxes are initiated in the House o Representatives. A Representative must be
at least 25 years o age and a U.S. Citizen or at least 7 years. Michigan has 14
Congressional districts as o 2013.
DISTRICT 2 (continued)
WILLIAM J. OPALICKY, GreenNo website at this time.
Occupation / Current Position: ruth Seeker & Poet. Retired (Steel Sales)
Education: Some
Qualications / Experience: None.
By getting rid o the Federal Reserve System. A por-
tion o every dollar they print is skimmed into their
dirty hands. Tis process results in a perpetual debt or
decit. Abe and Jack had the right idea when it came to
who should print our money.
Medicare or all oats my vote
RONALD E. GRAESER, US TaxpayersDid Not Respond in time or publication
STEVE PESTKA, Democratvotepestka.com
Occupation / Current Position: Small Business Owner (Property Management)
Education: B.A, University o Michigan (1974); J.D., Detroit College o Law (1977)
Qualications / Experience: Former Assistant Kent County Prosecutor, Kent County
Commissioner, State Representative, and Circuit Court Judge. Over 30 years o small
business experience.
I believe in a balanced, responsible approach to reduc-
ing the unsustainable ederal decit. I support a three-
to-one plan that would cut $3 in ederal government
spending or every $1 o revenue increases. We will
have to make some tough decisions in order to cut the
decit to a sustainable level.
I believe that universal access to healthcar
not a privilege. We must ensure that all p
access to aordable healthcare, and that ou
systems are as eective as possible. An alar
in Congress right now is to attack critical
services or women, such as screenings or
cervical cancer, and access to contraception
every single day to make sure access to th
services is never jeopardized.
DISTRICT 3
JUSTIN AMASH, RepublicanDid Not Respond in time or publication
BILL GELINEAU, LibertarianDid Not Respond in time or publication
DISTRICT 4
DAVE CAMP, Republicanwww.davecamporcongress.com
Occupation / Current Position: Representative in Congress
Education: Law degree, University o Caliornia at San Diego, 1978; Bachelors degree in
economics with honors, Albion College, 1975
Qualications / Experience: U.S. House o Representatives, Member o Congress,
1991-present; Michigan State House o Representatives, 1989-90; Administrative assis-
ant or U.S. Rep. Bill Schuette, 1984-86; Special Assistant State Attorney General, 1980-84; Attorney with rm
Riecker, George,Van Dam, Camp & Gannon, 1978-1990
We need to restore scal responsibility, cut spending,
reorm and save Social Security and Medicare, and en-
act pro-growth tax reorm to oster investment and job
creation. I am opposed to simply raising taxes to uel
runaway spending. Washington has a spending prob-
lem, not a revenue problem. Instead o raising taxes,
we should implement comprehensive tax reorm to
oster economic growth and job creation, which will
boost government revenues to address our scal im-
balance.
Ensuring access to high quality, aordable
or all Americans remains my top priority. T
able Care Act, however, is not the proper ap
should be repealed. During consideration
in the House, I oered the only alternative
lower premiums or amilies by as much as
nually. It is possible to reorm our health car
a way that ensures better access to care, in
tient choice and control, and does not add t
DEBRA FREIDELL WIRTH, Democratwww.Wirth4Congress.com
Occupation / Current Position: I closed my personal injury law practice in Kansas City,
Missouri to return to Michigan 2 years ago.
Education: Lansing Waverly HS 1970; Michigan State University 1974; Tomas M.
Cooley Law School 1977.
Qualications / Experience: I have never run or oce beore. I served as an Ingham CO
Assistant Prosecutor, and or 20 years in my law practice I listened to and ought or everyday people, injured
and seeking justice against massive insurance companies and corporations.
Te budget decit was caused by waging two warswithout paying or them, and tax breaks or those who
least need them. Te richest American corporations
and individuals should pay their air share o taxes.
We must examine and reign in the deense budget. We
must cut waste and pork barrel programs, in the de-
ense budget or wherever we nd them.
I support the Aordable Care Act, not becabest solution, but because it can lead to a b
care solution in the uture. I preer the singl
tion, with limited private sector involvemen
JOHN GELINEAU, LibertarianDid Not Respond in time or publication
GEORGE M. ZIMMER, US TaxpayersDid Not Respond in time or publication
10 H LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOERS OF MICHIGAN2012 NONPARTISAN VOTER GUIDE
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QUESTION 3
ENERGY:Do we need a national energy
plan? I so, summarize what
should be included in it.
QUESTION 4:
IMMIGRATION:What changes, i any,
do you support to
immigration policy?
QUESTION 5:
EFFECTIVEGOVERNMENT:
What will you do to reduce
the current level o hyper-
partisanship in Congress?
QUESTION 6:
PRIORITIES:What are your legislat
priorities and what act
will you propose
regarding them?
Yes, we do. First things rst: shut down the nukes and
go ape over wind, solar and geothermal power.
What immigration policy? Tats not hyper-partisanship, thats one big act. wo
bottles/same wine!
Restore the Bill o Rights. Medicare or all.
es or the wealthy (up to 75%). Legalize ma
actions that I propose will be based on act
mon sense. Not to worry, I aint got a chanc
We need a sensible approach to our energy uture. We
should encourage and pursue alternative energy, but
we also must understand that those sources wont im-
mediately ulll our energy needs overnight. I have al-
ways supported a balanced approach to ensure we have
enough energy now to drive the country and economy
while constantly looking toward the uture so that we
can break ree rom our dependence on oreign sources
o oil.
We need to implement comprehensive immigration re-
orm, similar to the landmark bill introduced by Sena-
tors Kennedy and McCain in 2005. Any immigration
plan needs to include elements o legalization, guest
worker programs, and tougher border enorcement.
We must balance a need to protect our borders with
a need to stimulate economic growth through immi-
grant labor.
Te polarization o our government is unsustainable,
counterproductive, and harmul to the American peo-
ple. I am proud o my history o bipartisan coopera-
tion, and will work to encourage civility and compro-
mise in Congress. Democrats and Republicans must
work together to solve the many problems acing this
country. Partisanship only adds to these problems.
Te most pressing issue acing Michigan an
United States right now is the struggling ec
high unemployment. I believe in a balan
aceted approach to stimulating our econom
to invest in education to prepare our wo
competitive global economy. We also must
air-paying jobs by improving our inrastr
stopping the outsourcing o American job
need to establish a more air and econom
tax system.
Yes. We need an all o the above energy plan that
utilizes Americas abundant natural resources and
promotes new energy technologies to reduce our reli-
nce on oreign sources. Te U.S. has 50 years worth
o oil and natural gas in Alaska, the deep waters o the
Outer Continental Shel, and newly-discovered orma-
ions throughout the continental U.S. We should begin
onstruction o the Keystone pipeline, which will bring
new oil supplies to reneries in the Gul.
First and oremost, we must secure the border and
prevent illegal border crossings to protect American
jobs and save taxpayer d ollars. Tat means enhancing
physical barriers and establishing a permanent security
presence on the border. We must also bolster ederal
eorts to locate those here illegally by expanding pilot
programs like as E-Veriy, which matches workers So-
cial Security numbers with the government database.
Divided government oen makes or messy debates.
Lawmakers on both sides o the aisle need to remem-
ber they were sent to Congress to achieve results by
working across the aisle, not engaging in partisan
gamesmanship. I have a long record o doing so. Most
recently, I helped negotiate a bipartisan agreement to
extend the payroll tax holiday, unemployment benets,
and Medicare physician payment rates. Tis is 1 o 4
bills the President has signed into law this Congress
that I authored.
Te most pressing issue acing the nation
o the economy. I am ocused on ostering
growth and job creation by advancing leg
our areas: reducing out-o-control edera
preventing tax hikes while pursuing com
tax reorm; enhancing Americas global co
ness by increasing exports; and reducing u
and burdensome ederal regulations.
Te Presidents Blueprint or a Secure Energy Futures a balanced and thoughtul approach to integrate all
sources o American energy production, prioritizing
clean energy. I do not share the Presidents enthusiasm
or nuclear energy. Tree Mile Island and the nuclear
disasters at Chernobyl and Fukushima last year are
wake-up calls. We need pragmatic, not problematic,
solutions.
We must: (#1) Control the border, especially the south-ern border; (#2) Deal with illegal immigrants who are
long-time citizens; (#3) Improve temporary worker
programs or highly-skilled proessionals in certain ar-
eas. Since the DREAM Act was stalemated in Congress
this summer, I support Obamas Deerred Action or
Childhood Arrivals policy which stops deportation
or those who would have qualied or the DREAM
Act.
I have not observed the Democratic members o Con-gress to be hyper-partisan. Only 240/430 Republican
members have made it a policy to be uncooperative
with the Democratic members, obstructing progress
and hoping to stir in t heir avor voters disgust with the
deadlocked ederal government. Until voters realize
this and elect a House that is less lopsided, I am not
optimistic I can do anything to solve this problem.
Job creation is my OP priority. Te privatno incentive to hire employees, unless cons
jobs and money to spend. Te government
employees in programs that would accom
goals, most obviously maintain and improv
trys inrastructure. Te government shou
subsidizing employment in the private s
the economy improves. Veterans need ad
sistance.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOERS OF MICHIGAN2012 NONPARTISAN VOTER GUIDE H
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12/25
QUESTION 1
FEDERAL BUDGET:How will you address the
ederal decit?
QUESTION 2
HEALTH CARE:What is your position
afordable health care o
United States Representative Two-Year Term Vote for One (1)
U.S. Representatives share the responsibility with Senators or enactment o the
nations laws as provided in the U.S. Constitution. Laws that require payment o
taxes are initiated in the House o Representatives. A Representative must be
at least 25 years o age and a U.S. Citizen or at least 7 years. Michigan has 14
Congressional districts as o 2013.
PAT TIMMONS, Greenwww.pattimmonsorcongress.com
Occupation / Current Position: In retirement, I have joined the b oard o Disability Net-
work Northern Michigan.
Education: BA, University o Michigan, 1972, English & Sociology, MA, Eastern Michi-
gan University, 1974, Educational Leadership
Qualications / Experience: 3 lessons rom my work experiences stand out: 1. As a high
school principal I learned that an atmoshpere o respect or all was necessary to building a good team. 2. I
helped teams at Ford solve recurring technical problems. 3. I can listen to other side and use the best o their
arguments.
Te budget will have to be addressed with a mix o tax
increases and spending cuts. Te Simpson - Bowles
panel provides a way to proceed. Spending cuts will
have to come rom all o the Federal Departments:
Personal entitlements [Social security, Medicare, etc],
Corporate entitlements, [Subsidies, tax loopholes and
taris] and Military spending. We know what to do.
We lack the courage to look our grandchildren in the
eye and say, We have spent too much, but we will
make it up to you.
America currently spends the most money i
on Health care and gets below average outc
market approach has not been working. Te
care act is worth a look - especially since th
Massachusetts have been very encouraging
to be smarter about when and where we ap
based solutions. For example, our taris on
pled with our subsidies on corn, distort our
and cause obesity in our children. We can d
DISTRICT 4 (continued)
DISTRICT 5
JIM SLEZAK, Republicanwww.slezakorcongress.com
Occupation / Current Position: Business owner, Vice President Photo Factory USA
Education: Yale University, 1989 B.A. Political Science
Qualications / Experience: State Representative 50th District 2009-2010. Business
owner. Worked in both public and private sector.
o stop unnecessary government spending. Only
spend what we take in. Economic Rule #1: I your
outgo is more than your income, than your upkeep
will be your downall. We need to restructure our tax
code. We need to promote small business and not
keep putting unnecessary regulations on them that
hurts business. Small businesses need more economic
certainty to survive and thrive.
Te Federal Government takeover o health
to stop. I believe we need to repeal the h
legislation that was passed in Washington D
need to bring control back to the states wh
ing what healthcare legislation is best or e
Health care should be aordable or everyo
state is dierent and i we get every state t
what we need in health care and how it can b
able we will have better health care coverage
DANIEL T. KILDEE, Democratwww.dankildee.com
Occupation / Current Position: President & CEO, Center or Community Progress
(currently on leave)
Education: Central Michigan University, Bachelor o Science in Administration
Qualications / Experience: Flint S chool Board Member, Flint Board o Education (1977-
1985) Youth Specialist, Whaley Childrens Center (1976-1985) Genesee County Board
Commissioner, Genesee C ounty (1985-1997) Genesee County reasurer, Genesee County (1997-2009)
o balance the budget we must grow the economy
and put America back to work. History has demon-
strated that only with a robust economy will produce
a balanced budget. We must reorm our tax system to
be air or all Americans. When Warren Buet and
Bill Gates make the case or higher taxes or the su-
per-rich admitting that they themselves do not paytheir air share we know our tax system is out o
balance. We also must modernize government or the
21st century - eliminating redund
I consider it undamental that all Americ
access to aordable health care. Te Aord
Act is a key step to accomplish this goal, a
strongly oppose any eort to block its ull im
tation. I also believe we should take steps to
growth o health care costs by, or example,
the government to negotiate prescription dror Medicare. Tis policy, along with the A
Care Act, will increase access to quality an
able health care.
GREGORY CRESWELL, LibertarianOccupation / Current Position: Medical Records Clerk
Education: Chadsey High School graduate, class/1975, attended Wayne County Com-
munity College or re protection/re science.
Qualications / Experience: ounding member o Brass Roots (pro-gun group); pro
MCRI 2006 (proposal #2) Detroit coordinator; L.E.C. at-large director;
I will vote or, sponsor or co-sponsor all bills that
would: Eliminate all oreign aid completely; elimi-
nate all welare programs; cut the sta size, perks,
power, pay, benets and control o Congress 99%;
ollow the U.S.Constitution/Declaration o Indepen-
dence 100%; submit a bill that would balance the
budget in 1 year ($1.9)
Te best way is the ree market, we must re
government completely out o health car
politicians got involved, health care was not
and it was accessible to almost everyone. T
charity clinics, charity hospitals and doctor
etc made house calls.
DAVID DAVENPORT, No Party Aliation
(Facebook) Davenport or Congress/ David DavenportOccupation / Current Position: I am the Owner o the United Drivers Coalition, Also attending College or
my Bachelors Degree.
Education: High school Diploma, Associates Degree in general studies, with Emphasis on computer inorma-
tion technology. Working on Bachelors Degree, in computer inormation technology.
Qualications / Experience: I am presently a member o the Flint School board o education since 2009, that
sets policy or the school district. I am and have been on all sub-committees, Academic, Finance, Human rela-
tions, community relations, I am also MASB board certied, with the 2nd year Merit award.
I will address the Federal decit, rst by cutting out
waist ull spending. I will work hard to bring our
troops out o these oreign countries, rom losing t heirlives. I noticed we are spending 606 billion dollars a
year, on deense and oreign aide. We could use some
o that money to cut back on the decit and educate
our children that will be leading our country in the
uture. Secondly I would ask all o the, Congress and
Senate members along with the President to take a sal-
ary cut.
(Health care), not just Aordable Health ca
every individual that is breathing. How lon
should not depend on how much money yowill support the act that EVERYONE sho
lowed to have government unded Healthca
not eel that the government should manda
citizens. I someone does not want it they s
have to receive it, and should not be penaliz
accepting it.
Questions (500 characters each):
Vote Tuesday, November 6
12 H LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOERS OF MICHIGAN2012 NONPARTISAN VOTER GUIDE
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QUESTION 3
ENERGY:Do we need a national energy
plan? I so, summarize what
should be included in it.
QUESTION 4:
IMMIGRATION:What changes, i any,
do you support to
immigration policy?
QUESTION 5:
EFFECTIVEGOVERNMENT:
What will you do to reduce
the current level o hyper-
partisanship in Congress?
QUESTION 6:
PRIORITIES:What are your legislat
priorities and what act
will you propose
regarding them?
We need to accept two realities that are not recognized
by the two major parties. 1. Peak oil is occurring and
he world will have less oil available soon. 2. Burning
ossil uels at such a high rate is changing our climate
or the worse. Both o these acts argue or an indus-
rial policy that reduces the amount o ossil uels we
use. Since economic growth relies on energy use, we
need to transition away rom the growth economy to
steady state economy. We need to prepare or this
hange.
We are a nation o immigrants. Acceptance o immi-
grants has been one o the brightest practises in our
nations history. We need to develop a policy that does
recognize the amily rights o those with long standing
ties in this country. We also need a strong border to
restrict unwanted or dangerous individuals rom en-
tering the country.
At the alternative high school I led there was a long
standing policy o showing respect or all in the learn-
ing community. Te entire sta o the school was
tasked with developing respect by our actions and by
expecting respect rom all o the student body. I would
try to spread that ethic in the House. I would hope that
the members o Congress could match the mature be-
havior o my high school students.
1. Reorm the Government Te Citizens U
sion has created a mess in our election la
rom PACs and Special Interests are inter
the will o the people. 2. Repay the Debt Te
parties have ailed to resolve this issue or
years. Small party candidates like mysel cou
solution moving in the next budget year. 3.
Environment We have tried to overpower n
not working. Live within our means.
Te plan we need is to use the current resources that
we have around us right now to become more energy
ndependent. We need to drill or oil and natural gas
n our own country. We need to eliminate the Depart-
ment o Energy and than do what it was suppose to do
rom the onset, to become less dependent on oreign
oil.
We need to enorce the laws that we currently have in
this country.
Te thing that is needed in Washington D.C. are lead-
ers with a vision or the uture to promote the general
welare or all o the citizens. A leader is someone that
can work with everyone to nd solutions that will best
t the needs o the American people. I have been and
will be that leader.
Eliminate the Department o Education an
money on our children, not on the peopl
they are making the right decisions or t
state has a Department o Ed. Parents, te
administrators should be able to decide w
or our own children. We need to create a
climate that is more conducive to bringin
es back rom outside our borders. We nee
American money on Americans.
We need an energy plan balancing need or a robust
conomy with aordable energy and stewardship o
he resources o the land. We must reduce our depen-
dence on oreign oil and expand our use o renewables.
olar, wind, and geo-thermal should be priorities or
development, and we should continue the careul re-
overy o abundant natural gas. We need to reduce thenvironmental impact o energy production while in-
esting in research o innovative energy technologies,
reating good paying jobs.
We are a nation o immigrants, and it is a central com-
ponent o the American dream to provide a pathway to
prosperity or all those who travel here seeking a bet-
ter lie. We should enact a comprehensive immigration
policy that protects our borders and ensures that legal
immigration serves our economic interests - without
targeting those young people born and raised hereand who simply want to work hard and succeed in
America.
I consider it my obligation to do whatever I can to re-
store civility in Congress. I am weary o partisan bick-
ering and gamesmanship. Our system o government
was intentionally designed assemble many diverse
points o view rom across the nation to a Congress
that is committed to nding mutually agreeable solu-tions. Te ramers o the Constitution intended that
those diverse interests nd common ground which
requires compromise. Congress must seek compro-
mise in the name o principle.
My top priority is getting Americans back to
be the greatest economy in the world, we m
uacture products made by our own peopl
tax giveaways to companies that outsource
jobs. I will work to pass legislation to hold
accountable that manipulate their currencght to increase domestic content require
purchases made by government.
Yes. What we need is a ree market energy plan. Get
politicians out o the way o this issues. Politicians
should not help nor hinder a private company rom
acquiring a product unless it would violate someones
individual rights. No tax money shall be used, period.
Also, the ederal government must deeat r aud.
Get rid o the welare state, deend t he borders with the
military, sell to private interest or give back all o the
ederal land to the states so they can do with it what
they want. I support a controlled immigration plan as
it was in the early part o the 20H century but with-
out any discrimination based on skin color or race.
But we must ban a person using their health and or
criminal record.
I will always be partisan when it comes to deending
individual rights and the ree market. And o course
deending liberty.
For each I will vote or, sponsor or co-spo
bills. Restoring the U.S.A. to the gold and
dard. Repeal the 16H Amendment. Re
lations that violate individual rights. Red
power, control, income, perks, benets, st
o politicians. Reducing the size o the ede
ment to what it was in 1880.
Yes we do need a n ational Energy plan, I believe that we
as a country should start investing in solar,Recycling,
and Windmills. Tese Energy strategies will take usar into the 21st century and cause less damage to the
ozone layer, in which will preserve the earth longer,
and our children will have a chance to live longer.
I do believe that we as a country should spend more
on our borders, to prevent illegal immigration. I also
believe that until we get a tighter grip on border patrol,that i a child is born here in the United States, the child
should be labeled a citizen, because the child had no
choice as to where he/she was born.
I will urge the Parties to come together as one, to stop
this euding between each other;I am non party ali-
ation because, dierent parties have dierent agendasand those agendas are not good or everyone in the
district. While in congress I want to address every-
ones concerns with the same passion, I am tired o
discrimination,and that is what it is when we choose
a political party. While in congress; your concerns will
be addressed with the same passion,no matter the po-
litical party.
My top priorities will be writing legislati
vouchers d rawn up or all senior citizens
EMP rom paying property taxes. Senshould not have to worry about where they
lay their heads;considering what has been d
country. 2. ALL college students would be
receive an associates degree,(paid or by t
ment) no matter how much their parents m
the time or change, and to have someone, t
discriminate is change.
Use the form on page 40 to write down your ballot choices.
Clip it and take it to the polls with you!
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOERS OF MICHIGAN2012 NONPARTISAN VOTER GUIDE H
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QUESTION 1
FEDERAL BUDGET:How will you address the
ederal decit?
QUESTION 2
HEALTH CARE:What is your position
afordable health care o
United States Representative Two-Year Term Vote for One (1)
U.S. Representatives share the responsibility with Senators or enactment o the
nations laws as provided in the U.S. Constitution. Laws that require payment o
taxes are initiated in the House o Representatives. A Representative must be
at least 25 years o age and a U.S. Citizen or at least 7 years. Michigan has 14
Congressional districts as o 2013.
Questions (500 characters each):
DISTRICT 6
FRED UPTON, Republicanwww.redupton.com
Occupation / Current Position: U.S. Representative
Education: B.A.in Journalism, University o Michigan
Qualications / Experience: As Chair o the House Energy & Commerce Committee,
my top priorities include working hard to secure our amilies utures by supporting local
ob creation, ensuring that MI businesses have what they need to put our state back on
track and supporting an all o the above energy plan.
Our $16 trillion national debt is unsustainable, leading
us down a path to scal ruin. I supported the Budget
Control Act that placed caps on all spending bills and I
have advanced recommendations to oset the seques-
ter by providing or more than $114 billion in targeted
savings over the next decade. I also support a number
o major reorms to move us toward a balanced budget,
including a constitutional balanced budget amend-
ment, the presidential line-item veto, and the earmark
ban.
Teres a real need o reorm in our healthc
to reduce costs and improve access to qu
support ull repeal o the Presidents mass
care takeover, which is misguided and
spending money we dont have on chall
cant be solved with government spendin
we need commonsense reorms that drive
such as medical liability reorm, allowing
to purchase coverage across state lines, and
Health Savings Accounts.
MIKE OBRIEN, Democratwww.mikeobrienorcongress.com
Occupation / Current Position: Development Director at Herman MillerEducation: BA in Business at Washington University
Qualications / Experience: Reconnaissance Marine, business development and con-
ulting, renewable energy executive, and armer.
As a household or business knows, we reduce our de-
cit and national debt by growing the economy, reduc-
ing spending, and increasing revenues. One solution,
like just cutting taxes will not suce. We must also
transition our economy rom spending to investing.
We will both grow jobs and the economy by realigning
corporate taxes to return jobs to the U.S. rom over-
seas, promoting renewable energy jobs, and investing
in our crumbling inrastructure. We need to do some
nation building at home!
Te cost o health care is not sustainable,
drag on global competitiveness. We need
surance at aordable rates, regardless o ex
ditions or nancial ability. Combining ro
government and ree market can provide
government can remove caps on coverage,
celing o policies due to illness or pre-exis
tions. Ten as we compare and buy car ins
ree-market should be able to compete and d
overall costs.
CHRISTIE GELINEAU, LibertarianDid Not Respond in time or publication
JASON GATTIES, US Taxpayerswww.gatties.org
Occupation / Current Position: Business Manager and Security Consultant at Rover
Security Guard Agency in Benton Harbor, Mi.
Education:St.Joseph High School (Class o 1994)Qualications / Experience: Even though my name will remain on the ballot, I
suspended my campaign on September 10, 20 12 and endorsed Democrat Mike OBrien.
no response to question no response to question
DISTRICT 7
KURT RICHARD HASKELL, Democratwww.kurthaskellorcongress.com
http://www.acebook.com/KurtHaskellForCongress
Occupation / Current Position: Senior Partner/Haskell Law Firm, P.C.
Education: B.S. Biology/S.V.S.U. J.D./Tomas Cooley Law School. L.L.M.(Masters De-
gree) in ax Law/ Wayne State Law School
Qualications / Experience: I have a broad range o experiences. Ive worked in the
public sector as an IRS Attorney. I also have owned my own business or the last 11 years. I grew up poor and
have worked hard to be successul. For these reasons,