Maryland Congressional Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Other or expanded principles
- However, I support counseling on all choices and programs that provide emotional, financial, educational, work and adoption support for all who face this difficult decision.

Budget

1. In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

2. In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- We have a growing deficit that has no end in sight. We need some fiscal restraints across the board, budget reductions and tax increases on those who can afford the extra tax burden. At the same time, we need to develop better paying jobs so that there is a growing revenue to be taxed at all levels.

Campaign Finance

1. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- Special interest and corporate monies need to be transparent and limited or else these groups have an undue affect on politics.

Economy

1. Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- I do support stimulus spending in specific areas that support our national interests and that create new job opportunties but I prefer that these investments are made in conjunction with private spending. I support lower taxes but I am offended that the vast majority of the benefit has gone to investors and not to the workers. This existing approach doesn't address either the discrepancy in incomes, raise workers' pay, nor help the IRS revenues either since the capital gains taxation is generally lower.

Education

1. Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- I believe we should have minimum standards of performance, mostly to make sure that every child has a fair chance at a good education. In states that are consistently performing over and above those standards, I believe in more flexibility in how those standards are reached. I am for innovation in both over and underperforming states, however, as a means of achieving excellence and leapfrogging past barriers and obstacles.

Energy & Environment

1. Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- I believe in public/private investments for renewable energy where most of the public funding is for Research and Development projects to prove economic viability for private investment. I am not in favor of a carbon tax but I am in favor of increasing standards for lowering carbon emissions.

Guns

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- I believe we should have universal checks and a ban on assault rifles under certain conditions. I believe that each state should determine standards for assault rifles. I also believe that states should allow counties, especially rural counties, to make their own decisions. We need to recognize the cultural differences in these areas and allow them to make their own decision.

Health Care

1. Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- No

2. Other or expanded principles
- I say "NO" until we can make sure that what we are replacing Obamacare with is an improvement in coverage and cost. I have advocated for a dedicated Healthcare committee in the House to review all options and come up with proposals based on agreed upon information and studies. 50% of bankruptcies are attributable to unaffordable medical costs. The working class is increasingly squeezed on healthcare insurance and many make risky choices not to have insurance. We need a national solution.

Immigration

1. Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
- No

2. Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- I believe in border security and the use of a wall where appropriate and effective. I regard the wall as a symbol of a need for security which I support. I believe we should imprison and deport criminals but if someone has been here for a while and proven they contribute and/or are vital to a family, then I believe they should be granted residence but not citizenship.

Marijuana

1. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- I don't understand how we can legalize cigarettes and alcohol and not marijuana. Cigarettes and alcohol are the major causes of health costs in the country.

National Security

1. Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
- Yes

2. Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- I would not eliminate using military force if that was the only option and the threat to US citizens was considered real, ie. Cuban Missile Crisis. In the same way, I do not like want to tie our leaders hands on any action in the Middle East. I believe it was a mistake to invade Iraq and the consequences of those actions have been destructive and disruptive to people and governments. We should learn from our mistakes but we should never take an option off the table.

Administrative Priorities

Please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- First, we need to expand the number of Congressional districts by limiting the population per district to 200,000. Currently, we have 750,000 per district with no limit in sight. UK, Canada and France average 100,000. This issue is imperative for a truly representative democracy. Second, the House needs to elect a non-member of the House to be an independent Speaker to run the House in a bipartisan manner on behalf of the American people. Third, we need to have dedicated House committees for Healthcare and Immigration so we can have the resources and focus on these national issues.