| 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.What measures would you advocate for to reduce the federal budget deficit? Should tax rates be raised? Why? 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 your position as it relates to a federal constitutional amendment to ban civil unions and same-sex marriages? Tammy Baldwin Democratic Party 1. It is absolutely essential that the President start the process of immediately withdrawing our troops from Iraq. I am a member of the Out of Iraq Caucus, which seeks to end the war in Iraq and bring American forces home at the earliest practical date. 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 support efforts to strengthen the United States Border Patrol so that they may continue to protect our borders. I recently voted for a bill that amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the construction or financing of an unauthorized tunnel or subterranean passage that crosses the international border between the United States and another country, and imposes a 20-year prison term for such offense. Our desire to strengthen our borders, however, should not disrupt the lives of people who legally came to the United States and are productive, tax-paying members of our communities. It is in the best interest of the U.S. to identify these undocumented individuals and provide them with the necessary incentives to come out of the shadows and regularize their status. I am, however, opposed to complete amnesty for the estimated 10 million undocumented workers currently in the United States. I support legislation to provide a path for earned legalization that requires people to go through a thorough legal process of attaining a visa, then applying for legal permanent residency, paying a penalty for their illegal entry, and then possibly becoming a citizen in the future. 3. I believe that we must reevaluate federal spending and address our ever-growing federal budget deficit. We must insist on fiscal discipline and reinstate pay-as-you-go standards. As I evaluate proposals for tax relief, I am guided by three principles: (1) our tax system must be fair and all Americans should share in tax relief; (2) any tax relieve package must not lead the nation further into deficit spending; and (3) any tax relief package must not threaten the future of Social Security and Medicare. 4. While it is important that our law enforcement officials have appropriate tools to protect Americans for terrorist acts, it is equally critical that we ensure our laws never compromise the exercise of our constitutional liberties. As we seek to keep our citizens safe from threats, we must recognize that our resources are not unlimited, and we must target them strategically. I believe that the federal government bears the primary responsibility to keep our nation safe, through a strong defense. But, we should not allow the importance of that mission to stifle a rigorous scrutiny of such a complex and massive enterprise. America's purpose for maintaining her superpower status must be to export the best of our democratic system of governance not through force, but by example. Leading by example means modeling the behaviors we want others to emulate. We must respect the rule of law. We must respect civil rights and liberties. We must stand firmly for human rights, renouncing in all circumstances torture, assassinations and kidnappings as political tools, illegal detention, and cruel and unusual punishment. For that reason, I will continue to call on this administration and our government to renounce its preemptive war policy, to recommit publicly and with sincerity to the Geneva Conventions, and to reject its unilateral tendencies and work in a multilateral, collaborative and cooperative fashion to resolve world problems and new conflicts. 5. A federal constitutional amendment is harmful and divisive and would use the Constitution to limit the rights and liberties of Americans. The proposed federal Constitutional Amendment to define marriage limits the ability of states to confer protections such as hospital visitation rights, health insurance or broader civil union or domestic partnership protections on unmarried couples. We have rarely acted to amend the U.S. Constitution. In the 17 instances since the Bill of Rights, we have amended our Constitution to expand the rights of citizens. If this amendment were to pass, it would be only the second time that the amendment process was used to limit the rights and liberties of Americans. Prohibition, which was later repealed, was the other instance of an amendment that limited rights. The proposed amendment would also undermine our federalist tradition of deferring to the states to regulate marriage. All states and U.S. territories have the authority to recognize or refuse to recognize same-sex marriages, as well as the right to not recognize out-of-state marriages. Dave Magnum Republican Party 1.When I announced for Congress on November 15, 2005, I recommended that President Bush bring new eyes and ears in to re-evaluate our strategy in Iraq -- starting with a new Secretary of Defense. I referred to how Reagan brought in Howard Baker after Iran-Contra (a man respected on both sides of the aisle due to his work in the Watergate hearings) to instill renewed confidence during his remaining term in office. At long last, there are some new eyes and ears reviewing our Iraq policy. James Baker (no relation to Howard) and others have suggested that we begin reducing our troop levels in 5% increments with the goal of weaning Iraq from its dependence on our support. I am encouraged that President Bush seems to be taking this advice to heart. Two of my three younger brothers served in the military. I have connections with many currently serving. Of all the mistakes that have been made we have to get this right so that as reductions are made, we don';t put remaining troops in a more vulnerable position as fewer troops remain to watch each other's backs. I''ve oft quoted an English philosopher who said, "freedom is a wonderful horse but you have to ride it." We can't want their freedom more than they do. The Iraqi people need to ride their horse. If you hire me as your new Congressman, it sounds corny, but every time there is a question about putting our volunteer soldiers in harms way I will get out a picture of my own two sons and look at all decisions through that prism. As complex as this issue is, there is one thing we should all be able to agree on. Also, right now our soldiers need the best equipment possible to protect themselves. We shouldn't put our soldiers at even greater risk because some in Congress, including my opponent, cast "protest votes" to slash funding for body armor. 2.Throughout my campaign for Congress, this issue has been the top concern among folks I have talked with in the 2nd district. They want action, and they are not seeing it from their current member of Congress. The estimated number of illegal immigrants currently in Wisconsin is growing. We are all paying the bill through out tax dollars, because the government picks up the tab to pay for social services such as health care. Hospitals across the country are threatened with the ossibility of closing their doors because illegal immigrants are coming in for services, then disappearing without paying their health care bills. My opponent has consistently opposed tougher border security measures, and supports such "free passes" to citizenship as simply writing a letter to the U.S. Attorney General. I think that is absolutely the wrong direction for us. I want to see tighter borders and a tougher law enforcement stance on illegal immigration. I also believe businesses that encourage illegal immigration by knowingly hiring those that come into America illegally should be punished. It seems as though just about every day on the news, we see another rally in support of illegal conduct, with some protestors blatantly rubbing their illegal status in the faces of law-abiding citizens. This law-breaking should not be rewarded with in-state college tuition and drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants, as my opponent has supported. America will always welcome those who are ready to work hard, follow our laws, and become active participants in American society. I want to encourage that and do everything possible to make sure the path to citizenship can be completed in a timely way. However, illegal immigration is a massive economic, social, and national security issue that requires our immediate attention. 3. We all have to balance our checkbooks and pay our bills out here in the real world, and Congress needs to remember that. The credit-card mentality in Congress is shameful. Families all over have to struggle to get by and cannot allow themselves to go too deep into debt. I believe there is wasteful federal spending that can be cut, and I believe we can reduce taxes whenever possible without deficit spending. I will aggressively work to root out waste and excess so our tax burden can be held in check. Within my first 100 days, I will author a proposal to add a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. Government must do more with less. I will lead by example and trim the 2nd Congressional District office and staff budget compared to the amount spent by my predecessor during her final year in office. I am not going to Washington to line my pockets with your tax money. I will vote against all proposed pay raises and not accept one if passed. 4.As comedian and commentator Bill Maher has said, "I would rather be safe than sorry." There is a reason why we have not been attacked since Sept. 11, 2001 -- our counter-terrorism tactics are working. We have entered a new, uncertain post-9/11 world in which those who wish to do us harm are engaging in ever more sophisticated means to achieve their deadly ends. To be sure, our system of laws is not perfect. At all times, we must be mindful of the impact on our civil rights, and that is why I believe our counter-terrorism laws should have sunset clauses to ensure they are reviewed often and fine-tuned whenever possible, to protect against abuses. 5.I believe in the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman, and I will personally vote that way on Nov. 7. I have not made this a campaign issue. The people of Wisconsin will have their say, and the majority will make the decision. That is how democracy works, and I fully accept the decision of the people, whatever that ends up being. However, I do believe that Congress must do more to improve the process by which same-sex relationships are recognized, to ensure such legal concerns as wills and health care decisions can include same-sex partners. |
| Decision 2006: U.S. Congress |
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