United States Representative 2 Year Term - Vote for One (1)
Candidates were asked to summarize their backgrounds in 75
words and were allotted 75 words to answer each question. If the candidate did not reply by the
required date for publication, the words, "Did not respond in time for
publication" appear under the candidate's name.
QUESTION 1
Are you concerned about the size of the federal deficit?
Explain your answer.
QUESTION 2
What government measures would you propose to improve access
to affordable health care?
QUESTION 3
The United States uses a great deal of fossil fuel for power generation and transportation. What measures would you support to tackle the ever increasing need for energy?
3rd District
Ehlers was elected to Congress in December 1993. A former Physics Professor and research
physicist, and active in community service, Ehlers served previously in the
Michigan House and Senate. Ehlers serves on the Committee on House
Administration as Chairman; the Science Committee, where he serves as Chairman
of the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards; the Education and
the Workforce Committee; the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and
the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress.
1. Yes, I am extremely concerned about the federal
deficit. It is unfair to burden
our children and grandchildren with a huge national debt. We need to slow the growth of federal
spending and reform our entitlement programs, many of which are outdated and
inefficient. We have made very large commitments in Social Security and
Medicare, and we must be mindful of these huge impending costs as we consider
federal spending in the coming years.
...
2. I have supported several bills to expand affordable health
care. The Medicare Modernization
Act provides prescription drug coverage for people with Medicare. Health
Savings Accounts allow Americans to contribute to a tax-free account to pay for
routine medical needs and to save, tax free, the unspent contributions. Community health centers provide
primary health care for the poor without them having to go to the hospital
emergency rooms for routine care.
In addition, I have voted ...
3. I have strongly supported the development of alternative
and renewable energy resources, and I have promoted efforts to conserve energy,
increase energy efficiency and improve fuel economy so that we can decrease our
dependence on fossil fuels. This
includes tax credits for electricity produced through wind, biomass, geothermal,
landfill gas facilities and trash combustion facilities. I also support incentives for hybrid
and alternative fuel vehicle purchases and tax credits for home energy
efficiency improvements. Nuclear...
After graduating from Calvin College and Illinois Law
School, I have been a practicing attorney since 1982. I am currently self-employed. I handle cases involving Social Security, workers
compensation and personal injury.
In 1993, I was elected to the Grand Rapids Public School Board, where I
have served in numerous capacities.
I am also a father of two sons and serve as Scoutmaster for their Boy
Scout troop.
1. Our current Administration has created massive deficits,
which would be compounded by my opponent's efforts to repeal the Estate Tax,
and eliminate billions from tax revenues for the sole benefit of
millionaires. Our tax code
currently works for corporations instead of everyday citizens. Let's start on this problem by
eliminating earmarks. Finally, a
huge portion of the deficit is due to our misguided War in Iraq; let's cut
costs there.
2. Massachusetts' plan will be in full effect as July
2007. Just as welfare reform was
modeled after an individual state's plan, we may follow Massachusetts' model
for health care reform. We must
examine how its plan works and modify it for America. We simply cannot continue to have uninsured Americans. The humane and just response is to
insure people up front and limit costs and suffering later.
3. I would support mass transit systems. We have existing rail systems that we
should take advantage of, as they are more energy efficient. I also support the development of
solar, wind and even safe nuclear energy.
We need to place luxury taxes on those who insist on driving vehicles
that get less than ten miles per gallon.
Reducing our dependence on foreign oil should be a top priority.
Rodger Gurk, 58, married 22 years, 4 children, 2
grandchildren. Graduate of Aquinas College. Clinical Social Worker. Born in
Niles, Mi. Last 20 years in Grand Rapids. Green Party Candidate for 3rd
District Congress.
1. Yes I am concerned, since 1975 the debt has risen from
$542 billion to $8 trillion. The money has to come from somewhere to pay this
off. Most likely it will be from Social programs that serve the poor, who do
not Vote.
2. Improve access to health care. I support Global Health
Care, and will support any legislation already in place, and if elected I will
write legislation to start the Global Health Care movement.
3. Energy. I support alternative energy sources that are eco
friendly. I would like to see more wind energy, and ethanol as long as the
farmers don't grow so much corn they knock the market out from under
themselves. We may have to look at different construction in housing, and
public transport.
Jeff Steinport is a regional technology director in Grand
Rapids for Advantage Sales and Marketing, a nationwide food broker and
marketing agency. Jeff has his bachelor's degree in business administration
from Ferris State University. Jeff was a member of the Grand Rapids Board of
Education from 2001 to 2004, and served as the board's treasurer, as well as on
several committees.
1. Yes. Every year, more debt is added to the burden of
trillions of dollars that the American people are responsible for. Not only
that, but unfunded future liabilities will cause the deficit and national debt
to balloon into the tens of trillions of dollars if nothing is done to correct
the situation. Our nation's financial and economic health is at risk because of
the reckless spending habits of the congress and president.
2. Health care must be subject to the same market forces
that keep prices low for other essentials. We wouldn't dream of having the
government run farms, housing construction firms, or car manufacturers, but
today the government's regulation and isolation of health care from the market
causes prices to be artificially high. Medical savings accounts must be
expanded and Americans encouraged to be good consumers so that health care
costs are scrutinized and competition is injected.
3. Market forces are very powerful in regulating the cost
and consumption of commodity items, such as fossil fuels. As prices go up, the
feasibility of alternate fuels and technologies increases. In addition, the
profits that oil companies make during boom times finance the exploration and
innovation required to explore other methods of crude oil extraction. I also
support allowing more clean and safe oil drilling in America and in America's
ocean waters.
