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Page 6 2016 Voter Guide League of Women Voters Biographical Info US Representative - Vote For Not More Than 1 - Two Year Term Duties: Representatives share the responsibility with Senators for enactment of the nation’s laws as provided in the U.S. Constitution. Laws that require payment of taxes are initiated in the House of Representatives. Qualifications: A Representative must be at least 25 years of age and a U.S. Citizen for at least 7 years. There are 435 Representatives based on Congressional districts reapportioned after each census. Michigan has 14 districts as of 2012. PRIORITIES: What are your top three national legislative priorities and how would you address them? HHH District 8 HHH ECONOMY: What federal policies do you support for a healthy economy and to help the broader American public improve their economic positions? MIKE BISHOP, Republican Campaign Website: www.electmikebishop.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ElectMikeBishop Occupation / Current Position: U.S. Congressman Education: Juris Doctorate of Law - Michigan State University DCL (1993), B.A. of History and Psychology - University of Michigan (1989), Real Estate Broker’s License- Curry Management Institute (1994) Qualifications / Experience: Private Practice Attorney (1994-1999), Michigan House of Representatives (1999- 2000), Michigan Senate (2003-2010), Senate Majority Leader (2007-2010), Private Practice Attorney/Chief Legal Counsel (2010-2015), U.S. House of Representatives (2015-present) SUZANNA SHKRELI, Democrat Campaign Website: www.SuzannaForCongress.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SuzannaForMi Occupation / Current Position: Assistant Prosecutor, Macomb County Education: Oakland University, B.A. in Political Science; Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D. Qualifications / Experience: As a prosecutor in the Child Protection Unit, I take on tough fights every day in the courtroom to protect children from sexual abuse and violence. I get more done in one day than Mike Bishop and this do-nothing Congress gets done in an entire session. I’m ready to take on the tough fights in Congress – and win for middle class families here in Michigan. Twitter: twitter.com/SuzannaForMI JEFF WOOD, Libertarian Campaign Website: http://Jeffwood4office.com Facebook: http://Facebook.com/jeffwood4office Qualifications / Experience: Principled Libertarian Economy: Michigan is the Comeback State but we have more to do. With so many families still facing economic uncertainty, we don’t need more taxes, spending and regulation. Debt: I cosponsored a Balanced Budget Amendment, so we can rein in federal programs and slim the size of government Kids & Education: I supported the Every Student Succeeds Act to reduce the federal role and empower parents and teachers. I’m working on higher education reauthorization to help provide all students with greater access and streamline the student loan process. I also coauthored the Child Protection Improvements Act to keep kids safe. In Congress, I’ll take on the tough fights and stand up to both parties to get Washington working for Michigan’s middle class again. It’s time we had a representative who will fight against the big corporations and lobbyists who are rigging the system against regular people. I’ll support our middle class families and create good-paying jobs by saying no to unfair trade deal; I’ll protect Social Security and Medicare for current and future generations by opposing any effort to privatize Social Security or turn Medicare into voucher program; and I’ll make smart investments to improve our schools for our children. 1. Strike the entirety of the United States Code 2. Abrogate the US Constitution 3. Dissolve all 3 branches of government Regulatory roadblocks are draining taxpayers’ hard-earned wages and preventing opportunity and growth. Tomorrow’s good-paying jobs will come from our local communities, not Washington bureaucrats. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan RESTORE Resolution (H. Con. Res. 67), to bring together members of the House and Senate to review federal regulations, make recommendations to reduce their burden and submit a list of rules that should be fully repealed. The first step to sustaining economic growth here in Michigan is to create jobs, and we can do that by blocking unfair trade deals that ship our existing jobs overseas. That is why I oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership and, in Congress, will fight for trade deals that are fair to American workers. As someone who grew up working in my family’s diner, I also know that small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and have a vital role in our economic recovery. I will work to keep taxes low for small business owners and cut back red tape and bureaucracy that makes it harder for entrepreneurs to create jobs. End government interference in the economy by ending government. MARIA GREEN, Green Campaign Website: http://mariagreenforcongress.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mariagreenforcongress/ Occupation / Current Position: Activist/Herbal Practitioner JEREMY BURGESS, Natural Law Campaign Website: http://www.facebook.com/jeremyburgessforcongress/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jeremyburgessforcongress/ Occupation / Current Position: Research and Development Engineer Education: B.S. Biochemistry - Oakland University M.S. Chemistry - Oakland University Qualifications / Experience: My current job is to solve problems, and isn’t that what our country needs and our representatives should be doing? 1) End the War on Drugs and Legalize Cannabis. I would introduce or sponsor a bill to end the War on Drugs and decriminalize drug infractions, putting the issue of drug use into the capable hands of the health system. 2) Establish term limits for Congress and cut salary for Congressmen. 3) Revamp the “Safe Families Act” to remove funding incentives to states for removing children from homes. Grant incentives like that in the SFA unfairly favor the unjust tearing apart of loving families while leaving suffering children to fall through the cracks of the system. My three top legislative priorities are growing the economy, national debt reduction, and education. We need to grow the economy by encouraging businesses to keep jobs in the United States instead of moving them out of the country. We also need to reduce the national debt by not giving money to other countries to fund their militaries, and instead spend that money on Americans. Finally, we need to take a hard look at our education system. Let’s focus less on standardized tests and teach our children how to think for themselves, solve problems, and learn valuable life skills such as following a budget. I favor a $15 minimum wage, the forgiveness of college student loans, and slashing of the Nation’s military budget to reinvest money into our economy and the people of America. We need to give our public every opportunity to improve their economic situation by providing lower interest loans to anyone wishing to further their education. We give foreign countries money for free, yet allow our citizens to be charged interest rates that are higher than necessary. If you are not happy with the pay you receive at your minimum wage job, then these loans would allow you take action and do something to improve your situation instead of waiting for the government to raise your wage. It can be done if you’re willing to sacrifice. I am proof of that.
League of Women Voters 2016 Voter Guide Page 7 ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT: What policies do you support to meet U.S. energy needs while protecting our water, air and land for current and future generations? US Representative - Vote For Not More Than 1 - Two Year Term Duties: Representatives share the responsibility with Senators for enactment of the nation’s laws as provided in the U.S. Constitution. Laws that require payment of taxes are initiated in the House of Representatives. Qualifications: A Representative must be at least 25 years of age and a U.S. Citizen for at least 7 years. There are 435 Representatives based on Congressional districts reapportioned after each census. Michigan has 14 districts as of 2012. ELECTIONS: What policies do you support regarding campaign funding and voting rights? IMMIGRATION: What are your concerns and plans regarding U.S. immigration policy? HHH District 8 HHH HEALTH CARE: What are your concerns and plans regarding U.S. health care policies or programs? I support an “all of the above” Energy strategy that includes ethanol and other biofuels and green energy sources. The U.S. must continue developing domestic sources of energy as well as new renewable and energy-efficient technologies. We also need to improve our infrastructure so energy reaches rural areas - especially natural gas. This vital energy and economic development will not happen in Washington, D.C. however, and I am committed to removing Washington’s roadblocks from the path of entrepreneurs and America’s energy future. There is no reason we can’t have full, real-time disclosure of campaign donations to any organization. We need to have reform across the board; we either need to tackle this by disclosing every dollar raised by any organization with no limits and immediate reporting, or respect the Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court. If H.R. 885, the Voting Rights Amendment Act, is brought to the floor, I would support it. This legislation would implement new criteria in Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act and require states with three or more voting rights violations in 15 years to go through a preclearance program. It is evident that we have a broken immigration system that undermines existing laws and threatens our national security. It is time to replace ineffective policies with real solutions. America must control its own borders, reform federal work laws and provide law enforcement with resources to protect local communities. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee I will continue working to strengthen our border patrol and enhance immigration enforcement efforts across the country, while keeping America a welcome place for legal immigration. Obamacare is continuing to drive up health care costs while limiting Americans’ choices. That’s why I’m working with my colleagues to: 1. Give all Americans the opportunity to have health care that is affordable and portable; 2. Increase choices so families can choose plans and providers that suit their needs; 3. Ensure quality care for all patients; 4. Harness innovation and new technology to improve care and lower costs; 5. Strengthen health care security for our seniors and most vulnerable by preserving Medicare and Medicaid. Growing up in Michigan, I know firsthand the important role that our natural resources play in our economy. In Congress, I will support policies that keep energy prices affordable for middle class families in Michigan, while also protecting our clean air and water for current and future generations. As we bridge the gap between our current dependence on fossil fuels and a future that relies on renewable energy, we must make sure that Michigan is a leader in green jobs. That is why I’ll will support legislation that makes significant investments in renewable energy research and development here in Michigan. In our democracy, we should promote policies that expand access for all Americans. In Congress, I will support legislation that overturns the Citizens United ruling, which put more political power in the hands of big corporations and the wealthy. Corporations and the wealthy shouldn’t have a bigger voice in our democracy than regular everyday Michiganders. Similarly, in regards to voting rights, we should be looking at ways to expand voter participation. Voting is a fundamental American right, and I will support policies that increase voter participation, including same day registration and expanding early voting. I’m a first-generation American. My parents are Albanian immigrants who came to the United States in search of a better life. I know firsthand the important role that immigrants play in our country. As a prosecutor who spends my day in the courtroom, I also believe strongly in the rule of law. In Congress, I will work to fix our broken immigration system and pass bipartisan immigration reform that secures our border, provides a tough but fair path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the shadows, and prevents our neighbors and their families from being torn apart. As a result of health care reform, more than 16 million Americans have gained health care coverage that they previously did not have. The law was by no means perfect, and that’s why we need to find ways to to bring costs down for families and small businesses; however, we cannot go back to a time when insurance companies were able to charge women more than men or denied health care coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. That is why I support common sense fixes such as scrapping the “Cadillac Tax” on high-cost health plans and supporting small businesses by raising the cap on small businesses to 50 employees. The largest polluter in the United States is the US federal government, by abolishing it we can make great strides toward reducing pollution. The fact that a person wins an election does not grant them the moral authority to rule over their fellow men. Electoral politics is a sham meant to lend legitimacy to the edicts of tyrants. The electoral system should be abolished along with the rest of the government. Open the borders. Free people in free societies should be able to travel freely. The government has no business interfering in the healthcare system. The most effective thing that government could do to lower healthcare costs is to stop granting pharmaceutical companies unjust monopolies on production via intellectual property laws. I support switching to renewable energy as quickly and completely as possible. I also believe that legalizing hemp and using its resources to provide energy can bring relief in the U.S. from using fossil fuels for energy. I would like a policy to stop the building of pipelines altogether. That money can be better spent developing renewable sources. I support any policy that eliminates corporate financing of Candidates and their campaigns. I support public funding for campaigns which would foster candidates who are actually interested in the needs and desires of the people they serve. Furthermore, I support automatic voter registration at the least, and more ideally, a voting system that does not rely on a separate registry. I believe that immigration is necessary for our economy and compassionate to our neighbors. I would like to see an easier road to citizenship implemented in the U.S. I would like to see universal health care that actually works and doesn’t leave those in need of healthcare behind. A single-payer system would be better to serve the needs of Americans. We need to focus on building a sustainable energy infrastructure in this country. Not only do fossil fuels damage our environment, but take a few minutes to look down the list of oil producing countries ranked by production and tell me how many of the top 20 are our allies AND shares our values of democracy and human rights. It is not only eye opening; it is a national security concern. Let’s focus on wind power and wave power to save our environment and keep our nation safe. Let’s have Americans be dependent on America for our energy needs. Corporations are not people. When you are elected you are not being elected to serve the corporations, you are being elected to serve the people. We need to reform our campaign finance system. I am also a firm believer in trying to make it as easy as possible for registered voters to vote while still trying to eliminate fraud. I support encouraging (not requiring) voters to show ID and I also feel strongly about allowing absentee ballots without giving a reason. I support legal immigration and feel that it benefits our country to continue to allow immigrants to come to the U.S. with the dreams of becoming citizens. Illegal immigration is a problem though, and deporting people and trying to build walls to keep them out is not the solution. We need to remove the incentive for illegal immigrants to come to the U.S. We can do this by drastically increasing penalties for employers who employee illegal immigrants. Instead of increasing agents at the border, let’s increase the amount of agents investigating the employment of illegal immigrants. We cannot have government sponsored healthcare for all Americans as we cannot afford it, but we cannot allow Americans to not have access to affordable healthcare. What we need to fix this issue is for a diverse group of individuals to sit down and discuss ideas how to solve this issue and then work together to implement the best possible solution. Corporations use methods like this involving teams all the time to grow their businesses. It’s time Congress worked together in a nonpartisan manner in order to solve this issue instead of waiting for one party to have complete control and dictate policy.
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