Decision 2008: Candidates for Congressman
1. I have opposed U.S. military operations in Iraq since the time that the President began to make his case for war. I support Barack Obama’s plan to redeploy
our combat troops on a responsible timetable. Currently, the U.S. is embarking on its sixth year of unjustified military actions against Iraq – a preemptive war
that has already cost our nation over $513 billion, and which experts estimate will end up costing approximately $3 trillion. The financial cost of the Iraq war,
however, cannot overshadow the human cost of the war. At this time, the war in Iraq has led to the deaths of over 4,000 American soldiers and the disability or
injury of 30,000 servicemembers. It is far past time for the U.S. to end its unwarranted occupation of Iraq, redeploy American servicemembers and contractors
from Iraq, and establish policies that will assist in redeveloping Iraqi infrastructure.
2. I believe that comprehensive immigration reform is needed. In this post September 11, 2001 world, we must be concerned about border security and do
more to ensure that we know who is entering the country, including taking practical steps to prevent people from illegally entering the country. I am opposed to
complete amnesty for the estimated 10 million undocumented workers currently in the United States. Amnesty, as I understand it, is a general pardon granted
by the government with no strings attached. I support legislation to provide a path that requires people to go through the legal process of attaining a visa,
applying for legal permanent residency, paying a penalty for their illegal entry, and then possibly becoming a citizen in the future.
3. These are difficult times for all Americans. It seems that every aspect of daily life is affected – from the rising price of food and fuel to the value of
retirement accounts. The latest figures on employment are deeply troubling and indications are that the situation will get worse before it gets better.
In light of increasing signs of a recession, I support meaningful and fiscally-responsible economic stimulus efforts. A package should be based on three
principles: first, it must be limited to a true stimulus package — that is, it must provide a strong boost to our economy in the short term. Second, it should not be
used to provide further special tax breaks to the wealthiest individuals and corporations. Third, the package should be targeted to assist those who are facing
special financial challenges, including those who have lost their jobs due to the economic downturn.
A stimulus package is just a short-term solution, however. We must make long-term investments that ensure American’s access to quality jobs, economic
growth, and prosperity. I believe that the future of the American economy depends upon our ability to prepare the world’s best workers and to stand by them as
we ask them to lead the world in innovation, especially in the areas of energy independence, technology, resource management, and agricultural and medical
science.
4. I believe that we should give our law enforcement community the resources they need to combat terrorists both domestically and abroad. However, our
government must respect the Constitution and its protections for law-abiding citizens to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. We must respect due
process of law.
I opposed the USA PATRIOT Act both when it came before Congress in 2001 and when it was reauthorized in 2006. Provisions of the Patriot Act threaten
the fundamental freedoms and liberties of Americans by giving the government power to access to medical records, tax records, and information about the
books you buy or borrow without probable cause. I also opposed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act of 2008, H.R. 6304, when it
came before Congress this year. This legislation permits the government to conduct mass, untargeted surveillance of communications coming into and out of
the United States, without any individualized review, and without any finding of wrongdoing.
As Americans our Constitution provides checks and balances between the branches of government, and demands a respect for the rule of law. I am working
hard to protect these core principles that make America the great nation that it is.
5. Earmarks are federal dollars specifically funding individual projects. While there has been some controversy over this issue, I am generally supportive of the
process, which allows local priorities to be reflected in federal funding. I am proud of my record of serving local community needs with essential federal funding
to leverage job creation, access to health care, community economic development, local law enforcement technology and school programs.
(Note: The Hues sent out a questionnaire to Congressional candidates. Only Congressman Baldwin sent her response by deadline.)
our combat troops on a responsible timetable. Currently, the U.S. is embarking on its sixth year of unjustified military actions against Iraq – a preemptive war
that has already cost our nation over $513 billion, and which experts estimate will end up costing approximately $3 trillion. The financial cost of the Iraq war,
however, cannot overshadow the human cost of the war. At this time, the war in Iraq has led to the deaths of over 4,000 American soldiers and the disability or
injury of 30,000 servicemembers. It is far past time for the U.S. to end its unwarranted occupation of Iraq, redeploy American servicemembers and contractors
from Iraq, and establish policies that will assist in redeveloping Iraqi infrastructure.
2. I believe that comprehensive immigration reform is needed. In this post September 11, 2001 world, we must be concerned about border security and do
more to ensure that we know who is entering the country, including taking practical steps to prevent people from illegally entering the country. I am opposed to
complete amnesty for the estimated 10 million undocumented workers currently in the United States. Amnesty, as I understand it, is a general pardon granted
by the government with no strings attached. I support legislation to provide a path that requires people to go through the legal process of attaining a visa,
applying for legal permanent residency, paying a penalty for their illegal entry, and then possibly becoming a citizen in the future.
3. These are difficult times for all Americans. It seems that every aspect of daily life is affected – from the rising price of food and fuel to the value of
retirement accounts. The latest figures on employment are deeply troubling and indications are that the situation will get worse before it gets better.
In light of increasing signs of a recession, I support meaningful and fiscally-responsible economic stimulus efforts. A package should be based on three
principles: first, it must be limited to a true stimulus package — that is, it must provide a strong boost to our economy in the short term. Second, it should not be
used to provide further special tax breaks to the wealthiest individuals and corporations. Third, the package should be targeted to assist those who are facing
special financial challenges, including those who have lost their jobs due to the economic downturn.
A stimulus package is just a short-term solution, however. We must make long-term investments that ensure American’s access to quality jobs, economic
growth, and prosperity. I believe that the future of the American economy depends upon our ability to prepare the world’s best workers and to stand by them as
we ask them to lead the world in innovation, especially in the areas of energy independence, technology, resource management, and agricultural and medical
science.
4. I believe that we should give our law enforcement community the resources they need to combat terrorists both domestically and abroad. However, our
government must respect the Constitution and its protections for law-abiding citizens to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. We must respect due
process of law.
I opposed the USA PATRIOT Act both when it came before Congress in 2001 and when it was reauthorized in 2006. Provisions of the Patriot Act threaten
the fundamental freedoms and liberties of Americans by giving the government power to access to medical records, tax records, and information about the
books you buy or borrow without probable cause. I also opposed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act of 2008, H.R. 6304, when it
came before Congress this year. This legislation permits the government to conduct mass, untargeted surveillance of communications coming into and out of
the United States, without any individualized review, and without any finding of wrongdoing.
As Americans our Constitution provides checks and balances between the branches of government, and demands a respect for the rule of law. I am working
hard to protect these core principles that make America the great nation that it is.
5. Earmarks are federal dollars specifically funding individual projects. While there has been some controversy over this issue, I am generally supportive of the
process, which allows local priorities to be reflected in federal funding. I am proud of my record of serving local community needs with essential federal funding
to leverage job creation, access to health care, community economic development, local law enforcement technology and school programs.
(Note: The Hues sent out a questionnaire to Congressional candidates. Only Congressman Baldwin sent her response by deadline.)
| Questions 1. What should the U.S. strategy be in the War in Iraq? Should a timetable for U.S. withdrawal be set? 2. What policies should the U.S. Government enact as it relates to undocumented workers (or some say illegal immigrants) in the U.S.? 3. As the federal government enacts measures to counterbalance the downturn in the U.S. economy, what values will you bring into play as you vote on measures that come before you? 4. To what extent is legislation to combat the War on Terror eroding the basic civil rights of U.S. citizens? Where should the line be drawn? 5. What is the difference between bringing federal tax dollars back to Wisconsin and earmarks? To what extent should U.S. Representatives advocate for the inclusion of Wisconsin projects in the federal budget? |
Tammy Baldwin