League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
State of Ohio (Adams, Brown, Clermont, Pike, Hamilton, Warren, Scioto Counties) June 14, 2005 Election
	James John Parker Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 2; Democratic Party

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

Questions & Answers

1. What are your qualifications for office?

My name is Jim Parker and I believe in the American Dream. This campaign is about God, Family, Medicare, Social Security and the American Dream. I've been the Assistant Administrator of two hospitals. My leadership and healthcare experience has prepared me to strengthen the Medicare and Social Security systems.

2. What do you see as the three most pressing issues you would address if elected? What plans do you have relative to those issues?

1) MEDICARE - Who do you think will solve the problems of the Medicare System; politicians and lawyers or the healthcare leadership expert in this campaign. I've spent my life improving healthcare, communities and people's lives.

2) SOCIAL SECURITY - Washington needs to quit playing politics with people's lives. I don't believe in politics. I believe in people. The problems with Social Security can be solved by strengthening our economy and putting more people to work. We must help small businesses succeed. We should expand the Medicare program to all Americans aged 55 and older to help small businesses with expensive healthcare costs and allow them to create more economic opportunities for people.

3) My wife and I have three children. I'll write legislation that will be good for Ohio families. I will always be able to look you and my family in the eye and say that I stood up for the AMERICAN DREAM.

3. How would you address the federal deficit?

The most important thing that we can do is strengthen our economy. The government has a responsibility to do everything in it's power to stimulate economic growth. I am opposed to an increase in personal income tax. Taxes are bad for economic growth. Raising the income tax will only make it more difficult for families to build their own economic futures.

The government has spent money like a bunch of drunken sailors. Government spending must be closely scrutinized. Government waste must be eliminated.

We currently have the most reckless and fiscally irresponsible group of politicians in American history. They have spent your money like a bunch of drunken sailors. Let's send a message to Washington that somebody who is not a lawyer, not a politician and who has never run for political office before is going to clean up the mess that they have worked so hard to create.

4. What should be the federal government's role with respect to health care?

Medicare and Social Security are two programs which are at the heart of the American Dream. Our entire economy depends upon the success of these programs. Medicare and Social Security make up 40% of the federal budget, not including the hidden budgetary costs of the war in Iraq.

If you send me to the United States House of Representatives, I will not care about money, power, political parties, personal agendas. But I will always work to strengthen and guarantee the security of the Medicare and Social Security programs.

Who do you believe is most qualified to solve the problems of the Medicare and Social Security programs; the politicians and lawyers or the healthcare expert in this campaign? Let's send a message to Washington that we don't like it when they play politics with people's lives. Medicare and Social Security are being whittled away, piece by piece. Medicare and Social Security will always be protected if I am your Congressman.

6. In October 2005, select provisions of the USA Patriot Act are scheduled to sunset. Do you support a renewal of these provisions and/or an expansion of the Patriot Act? Why?

The safety and security of America is at risk. This was proven to us unexpectedly on September 11th. We must always guarantee the safety of all Americans

One of the greatest challenges that we face as a nation is how to end the terrible conflict in Iraq while, at the same time, protecting the freedom of the Iraqi people. When we finally bring our soldiers home, we should use the military to strengthen the protection of our borders. We are at risk, even to this day and should do everything in our power to protect American freedom and our way of life.

There are provisions of the Patriot Act which must be protected. There is a responsibility in government to assure that our first lines of defense are always strong. We must support federal funding to local communities, police departments, schools and healthcare organizations in order to always remain strong.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Ohio Supreme Court Justice: Total words for the answer to the question may not exceed 50 words. The word limit must be observed. Words over the limit will be cut off in published information.

U.S. Senate: Total words in answer to the question may not exceed 100 words. The word limit must be observeds. Words over the limit will be cut off in published information.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: June 1, 2005 09:54
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