League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
San Bernardino County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Lesli Gooch Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 31

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

Questions & Answers

1. In this time of high unemployment and budget deficits, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy and sustain job creation?

We need to stop forcing job killing regulations on our employers. Employers have been burdened with federal and state regulations that require them to spend roughly $10,585 per employee annually just to keep up with fees. We need to loosen this burden so our companies can start creating good paying jobs. Also, people want to buy American goods but we make it too difficult with transportation fees. While working with Congressman Gary Miller, we were able to pass legislation that brought more production jobs into the Inland Empire by getting more access to our ports in Long Beach and Los Angeles. Smart legislation like this will expand our workforce immensely.

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

Obamacare restricts Americans from making choices about their own healthcare. Many have lost their coverage, can't see their own doctors, and are paying higher premiums, deductibles, and copays. Making small changes to this broken law will only lead to more government bureaucracy and spending, which harms those it was supposed to help. Congress must restore private healthcare so consumers can choose their own plans, their own doctors, and healthcare they can afford.

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

We need to advance the exploration for energy through free market based solutions.

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

Our all volunteer military is the finest in the world; I'm concerned we are stretching it thin and not caring properly for our soldiers returning home. I fully support Congress thoroughly assessing the conflicts in which we are engaged and prioritizing them accordingly; we must not jeopardize our national security in exchange for being the world police. We must have a full review of our veterans affairs programs to understand why they aren't working and we must fix them now.I will propose repealing the reduction of the cost of living increase for veterans who retired on a promise this country made to them after they gave all.

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

Polarizing rhetoric on immigration has resulted in a stalemate on reform. Meanwhile, California is stuck bearing the burden of Washington's failure to enforce existing laws. We need to focus on real solutions that make our immigration system functional, fair, and accountable. I believe the best way for us to protect the American dream and promote opportunity is by ensuring we have a secure border and an operational temporary worker program.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. References to opponents are not permitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 14, 2014 20:41
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