US CONGRESS, DISTRICT 1 — REPUBLICANS
Patrick Calder
Age: 29
Occupation: Merchant Mariner, First Engineer on the only US flagged cruise ship in the world
Family status: Unmarried, no children
Do you believe the federal government has struck the proper balance between protecting civil liberties and providing physical security? (We need a Yes/No for print; feel free to expand for online.)
No. The most glaring overreach is the NDAA, which is a gross violation of civil liberties.
Do you support a cap-and-trade system of greenhouse-gas limitation? (We need a Yes/No for print; feel free to expand for online.)
No. Such programs as cap-and-trade will not actually end up reducing emissions, and will only unduly burden an already unhealthy US manufacturing industry.
Do you believe the federal government should do more to help students afford college? (We need a Yes/No for print; feel free to expand for online.)
Yes, but there need to be incentives and requirements attached to any such program. A great starting point is to look at the what the military does with the ASVAB tests, which can identify aptitudes for certain fields. If a student wishes to obtain federal assistance for education, then it should be in a field in which 1) they can excel and 2) there is a demand for in the job market and the US economy, such as engineers, doctors, etc.
Do you believe health-insurance plans should cover contraception without co-pays? (We need a Yes/No for print; feel free to expand for online.)
No. While I think it's everyone's individual decision whether or not to use contraception, it is in the same category as other "elective" items which insurance generally does not cover, such as LASIK surgery for eyes. Likewise, I know that many insurances cover medications like Viagra — this is another example of something that should certainly have a co-pay.
Will you vote to end the Bush-era tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans? (We need a Yes/No for print; feel free to expand for online.)
No. It is a proven result that lower tax rates result in more money being put into the economy. Lower taxes, on all Americans, are a fundamental piece of maintaining economic freedom and personal liberty and allowing Americans to pursue their own happiness.
In 10 words or fewer, please express your view on Congressional compromise. (Just 10 words here, please; we're hoping you have a concise view on this important issue at least!)
Compromise is good, but only if it yields real solutions.
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