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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Economy and Jobs,
Health Care,
Energy Policy,
National Security,
Immigration Reform
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. In this time of high unemployment and budget deficits, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy and sustain job creation?
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Answer from Drew E. Leavens:
Budget Deficits: Eliminate government waste. De-fund wasteful and ineffective programs like the Farm Bill and the War on Drugs. Add service fees where appropriate (stock and bond trades). Legalize, regulate and tax marijuana.
Economy: Increase the minimum wage, extend unemployment benefits, provide a middle class tax cut, invest in infrastructure projects, be sure our high schools and colleges are preparing kids for the jobs available today and in the future, provide tax incentives for businesses who hire Americans and tax penalties for companies who send American jobs overseas.
Answer from Greg Raths:
Create jobs by freeing business from excessive taxes and regulations. As a former president of an Orange County business I have endured the burden big government places on business of all sizes. Get the government (federal and state) out of our way so we can expand and create jobs.
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2. What, if any, changes should be made to federal health care policies or programs?
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Answer from Drew E. Leavens:
13 million Americans now have access to affordable health care that did not just last December. Despite all of the negative hype, the ACA has been good for our country and provides our people with peace of mind. I would look to improve the law and reduce any harmful effects on small businesses.
Medicare should not be 'voucherized' and the minimum age should not be moved to 70 as proposed by the GOP. The program has been an enormous success in mitigating the cost of healthcare on our seniors. We should look for savings in Medicare by increasing the investigations of Medicare fraud.
Answer from Greg Raths:
Promote an effective while cost-efficient healthcare system that is a free-market structure. A healthcare system that provides quality care, plus offers a personal choice without growing the government, invading our privacy, and raising our premiums. Insurance companies should be able to compete across state lines for customers, and lowering the price of prescription drugs must be a priority.
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3. What are your priorities with respect to our nation’s energy policy?
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Answer from Drew E. Leavens:
We must embrace renewable energy and reduce our consumption of oil and gas. A recent study found that we could power the entire earth by capturing wind energy alone. Solar power also produces clean energy in a cost effective manner. We need to set a reasonable goal of having a significantly higher percentage of our energy come from clean, renewable sources.
Oil and gas, on the other hand, have contributed to the problem of climate change. Oil spills have had devastating effects on our environment and economy. Fracking has polluted our ground water and air and is considered responsible for earthquakes where we normally have none. We need to continue to expand the research and capabilities of electric cars.
Answer from Greg Raths:
Enable our energy companies to aggressively explore for energy in our own country. There is no reason we need to buy/import our energy from foreign countries that do not like us. Also, promote and implement solar, natural gas, wind, and hydroelectric energy sources.
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4. What, if any, changes should be made with respect to our nation’s security, including our national defense or anti-terrorism measures?
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Answer from Drew E. Leavens:
The NSA should not be able to tap the phone lines and emails of everyday Americans. If an individual presents a risk, a court order should be obtained to monitor that person's communications.
We should re-think the drone program. Every time innocent civilians are killed, terrorist groups are able to recruit a multitude of new terrorists, making it likely that our children and grandchildren will be living with this problem.
Intelligence agencies must be coordinated. With several agencies gathering information, there is great risk in having a 'silo' effect. We have already seen the negative effects of that phenomena.
Answer from Greg Raths:
The national security concept developed mostly after World War II initially focusing on military might, but it now encompasses a broad range of facets, all of which impinge on the non-military or economic security of the nation. Accordingly, in order to possess national security, we must have 1)economic security 2)energy security 3)environmental security.
Security threats involve not only conventional foes such as other nation-states but also non-state actors such as violent non-state actors, narcotic cartels, multinational corporations and non-governmental organizations; some authorities include natural disasters and events causing severe environmental damage. The U.S. must be on top of all the threats that are bearing down on our security. I will do all I can to ensure we are safe and secure.
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5. What is your position on the issue of immigration reform? What, if any, changes to legislation or policy would you support?
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Answer from Greg Raths:
First, I am not for amnesty for those immigrants who came to the USA illegally. We must secure our borders and enforce the immigration laws that are on the books. I do favor the young children that were brought here at a young age, who have assimilated in our communities, learned English, and have stay out of trouble to get at the end of the line to be screened for citizenship. I support work permits for agriculture workers.
Answer from Drew E. Leavens:
I support making the DREAM Act permanent. Young adults brought here as kids have known only one country. The bi-partisan bill passed by the Senate last year is far from perfect but it is a start. The House must behave like grownups and take on and resolve this important issue. Until they do, I believe it is unacceptable to rip families apart by deporting immigrants without documentation, unless a serious crime has been committed.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as
submitted. References to opponents are not permitted.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
