League of Women Voters - Voter Guide - U.S. Races

7/31/2019 League of Women Voters - Voter Guide - U.S. Races

1/25

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.


2/25

CongressionalDistrict Map

11

12

13

76

10

8

3

5

42

1

2 H LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOERS OF MICHIGAN2012 NONPARTISAN VOTER GUIDE


3/25

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


4/25

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



5/25

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.



6/25

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 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.


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...



7/25

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.



8/25

QUESTION 1


ederal decit?

QUESTION 2



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.


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.



9/25

QUESTION 3




QUESTION 4:


do you support to

immigration policy?

QUESTION 5:





QUESTION 6:



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.



10/25

QUESTION 1


ederal decit?

QUESTION 2









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



11/25

QUESTION 3




QUESTION 4:


do you support to

immigration policy?

QUESTION 5:





QUESTION 6:



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.



12/25

QUESTION 1


ederal decit?

QUESTION 2









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.


Vote Tuesday, November 6



13/25

QUESTION 3




QUESTION 4:


do you support to

immigration policy?

QUESTION 5:





QUESTION 6:



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!



14/25

QUESTION 1


ederal decit?

QUESTION 2










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,

League of Women Voters - Voter Guide - U.S. Races

Documents

Transcript of League of Women Voters - Voter Guide - U.S. Races