United States House of Representatives

Nonpartisan Voter Guide 2008

© LWVMI Education Fund 2008

United States House of Representatives Districts 4 and 5

United States House of Representatives 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.

1. What should the federal government do, if anything, to ensure that every American has health coverage? (75 words)

2. What should be done, if anything, at the federal level to reduce our use of and dependence on fossil fuels? (75 words)

3. What measures would you support at the federal level that would help our Michigan economy? (75 words)

District 4

Dave Camp, Republican

I was born in Midland, where my wife, three children and I reside. I graduated from Albion College and earned my law degree from the University of San Diego. Prior to serving in public office, I was a lawyer in private practice. I worked extensively with parents and children in the foster care system. As a result of that work Presidents Clinton and Bush signed into law comprehensive adoption laws that I wrote.

1) I support utilizing the power of the tax code and reform current regulations to ensure every American can afford to purchase quality health care. In order to reduce costs I support giving families the ability to shop around the nation for the best plan at the best price, creating transparency so you know what you are paying for and what hospitals and doctors are charging, and adopting new technology that will save lives and money.

2) I believe we can lower gas prices and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels through an “all of the above” energy strategy. This approach includes greater use of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, nuclear, and biomass; promoting alternative fuels, vehicles, and infrastructure; increasing domestic oil production and enhancing U.S. oil refinery capacity.

3) To get the Michigan economy moving again, the federal government should enact health care reform to lower health care costs for families and employers; lower energy prices to provide a steady, affordable supply of energy; open new markets and enforce our trade laws; reform the tax code to make it simpler, fairer, and lower so employers can expand; and invest in our workers and in research and development.

Andrew D. Concannon, Democrat

Did not respond in time for publication.

Allitta Hren, Libertarian

Did not respond in time for publication

John Emerick, US Taxpayers

Did not respond in time for publication

District 5

Matt Sawicki, Republican

Did not respond in time for publication

Dale E. Kildee, Democrat

Born September 16, 1929, in Flint, Michigan. Sacred Heart Seminary, B.A.; U of M, M.A. Teacher, University of Detroit High School, 1954‑1956, and Flint Central High School, 1956‑1964. Married Gayle C. Heyn, three children, seven grandchildren. Michigan House of Representatives, 1964-74. Michigan State Senate, 1974-76. U.S. House of Representatives, 1976-present.

1) Our goal should be universal health care that is affordable, and first class for all. More than 46 million Americans are uninsured, mostly because of the high cost of health insurance. I support expanding Medicaid and CHIP program to cover more low-income persons, individuals with disabilities, and children. I also support allowing the 3.5 million uninsured people between 55 and 65 to purchase Medicare coverage. Universal health care coverage is imperative.

2) America needs a comprehensive approach to solve the energy crisis and to address global warming. I have been a leader in Congress in pushing for increased funding for research and development of alternative and renewable energy initiatives, and I have encouraged the expansion of tax credits for conservation energy programs. Michigan's ethanol producers and our growing wind generation facilities, with solar energy, can make significant contributions to America's energy independence.

3) As Co-Chairman of the Congressional Automotive Caucus, I have taken the lead in the U.S. House to push for $25 billion in direct low-interest government loans to the domestic automakers to help them retool their factories in the U.S. to build leaner, cleaner and greener cars and trucks. Finally, I have continually advocated for a much tougher American trade policy that would promote the export of our high quality products, not our high-paying manufacturing jobs.

Leonard Schwartz, Libertarian

Retired professor of law & economics. Born 1945 & raised in Detroit. BA in history & philosophy, U. of Chicago. MA in economics, Johns Hopkins U. JD, Wayne State U. Law School. See www.LeonardSchwartz.us/bio.html for more information.

1) End the prohibition of discounts to patients who pay doctors and hospitals directly, rather than use Medicare or insurance. End the war against herbal medicines. Drug companies falsely claim that expensive synthetic drugs are safer than herbal medicines. The war is about money, not safety. End other regulations that make health care expensive but not safer. See www.LeonardSchwartz.us/medicine.html for more information.

2) Reduce the amount of fossil fuels used by government bureaucrats by reducing government expenditures. End tariffs on imported ethanol (made from sugar cane, which grows well in the tropics) and subsidies for domestic ethanol (made from corn). Making ethanol from sugar cane, rather than corn, is more efficient and creates less pollution. We don't need high taxes, subsidies & burdensome regulations.

3) Increase jobs by ending unnecessary regulations that harm the automobile industry and other businesses. Reduce taxes and government expenditures. My opponents think they can spend your money and manage your life better than you can. I'm not a busybody. I don't want to spend your money or manage your life.

Ken Mathenia, Green

I was born in Flint, and spent my entire life in Genesee County. I retired as an electrician from GM/Delphi in 2006. I am currently working as an operations manager. In recent times, I have served as chair of the Green Party of Michigan, as well as co-chair of the Flint Greens.

1) We should create a single-payer system of Universal Health Care that would ensure that all Americans have access to health care. A single-payer system would greatly reduce the administrative costs of our health care.

2) The federal government should be assisting state and local communities in creating renewable sources of energy, such as wind and solar. The federal government should be encouraging energy conservation by increasing CAFE standards, supporting local mass transit, and building a better national rail system. The federal government should also help to make the public aware that the age of cheap fossil fuels is coming to an end.

3) We need major investment in renewable energy, especially community based wind energy. With federal assistance Michigan could move more quickly towards building local and state rail lines. We need to rebuild our schools and our cities, and put an end to sprawl. Each of these would produce jobs for our workers, along with benefits to our citizens. A Green Economy is a Sustainable Economy.