Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board questionnaire responses
Legislative priorities:
Q) What are your three top national legislative priorities for the country?
A) Protect our homeland and strengthen our Military
Reduce Debt and Reduce Taxes
Secure our borders and vetting those entering our country
Q: What are the three most important issues in your district on which you believe the federal government needs to act?
Balance Budget and Reduce the Debt
Repealing and Replacing ACA
Government Transparency
Q) What is your biggest fundamental difference with your opponent(s)?
A) I am a conservative in word and deed. I am not an establishment, crony capitalist, career politician.
Transparency:
Q) Will you pledge to make public: a) your campaign schedule; b) your fundraiser schedule and the names of all fundraiser hosts; c) if elected, your daily schedule of meetings? If not, why not?
A) Yes, I am big proponent of government transparency. When I was president of Glen Ellyn Park District we received a “Sunshine Award” from the Illinois Policy Institute for our achievements in government transparency. We were one of the first park districts in Illinois to receive the award.
Q) Please list all relatives on public or campaign payrolls and their jobs on those payrolls.
A) None from my immediate family. None that I am aware in extended family.
National security:
Q) What are the most important actions Congress can take to reduce the threat of ISIS abroad and at home?
A) Strengthen Military, promote strong leaders, and take the offensive. Eliminate threat and then follow through with stabilization of the region. Take the lead. Put on indefinite hold immigration from areas where ISIS has influence.
Q) What bans, if any, do you support on Muslim admissions to the United States? Please explain your position.
A) See above.
Q) Specifically, how would you have, or how did you, vote on the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015 and its efforts to make it harder for Syrian and Iraqi refugees to enter the U.S.? Please explain your position.
A) Would have been in favor. Would work on securing the peace in Syria and Iraqi and there then would be no need for mass emigration from those areas.
Q) Do you support a Syrian no-fly zone or the U.S. enforcement of Syrian humanitarian safe zones? Why or why not?
A) Yes.
Q) Regarding the House Benghazi Select Committee, should its investigation remain open-ended, or should the panel be given a deadline to complete its work? Please explain.
A) Would reopen if witnesses that had pertinent information and solid proof that implicated those involved in any wrong doing or cover up came forward.
Q) What measures, if any, do you support to give U.S. authorities access to encrypt or “dark web” communications about potential terrorist plots? Please explain.
A) Would need to have more detail about program. It seems that obvious indicators of terrorist’s plots are sometimes overlooked or ignored. I would start making improvements there. I am not in favor of government over reach into citizens’ personal freedoms.
Q) Do you support transferring the detention of terrorism suspects from Guantanamo Bay to the United States? Why or why not?
A) No. They are terrorists who want to do us harm. Keep them put away. Guantanamo is good place for them.
Gun violence:
Q) What is the single most important action Congress can take to reduce U.S. gun violence?
A) Reduce number of terrorists and criminals. Invest in mental health programs.
Q) Do you support or oppose the ‘‘Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act?” Please explain your position.
A) Concept sounds great. Titles often can be misleading. It is important that all citizens’ civil liberties are protected. Many Americans who are self-reliant feel safer having the ability to protect themselves with their own firearms. Terrorists and their accomplices should be imprisoned or deported.
Climate change:
Q) Do you believe there is scientific evidence of climate change, and is it caused by human activity? What is your position on the Paris climate change agreement?
A) The climate is always changing and has done so long before man existed. Human activity has an effect on everything in the world. Nature also has an effect on the world. It is also important that we protect the planet and continue to reduce all forms of pollution. Much of the discussion on global warming, now called climate change, is super charged with politics and should be looked at more scientific and objective. The Paris agreement was not vetted by congress which it should have been.
Economy:
Q) What changes, if any, to the U.S. tax code do you support and why?
A) Reduce taxes. Fairer system. Simpler system.
Q) What are the most important actions Congress can take to ensure the solvency of Social Security?
A) Make sure people who are not disabled are not collecting it.
Realistically you would have three choices. Means testing which is unfair to those that put money in and don’t get it back. Raise the rates which is difficult on those still working. Raise the age of retirement since people are living longer healthier lives and many are still working. Not going to be popular with those turning 65. All have their critics so you could possibly do a combination approach. Bottom line is somebody needs to have the guts to fix it. Don’t look to a career politician for the solution they will just kick these cans down the road. They will be gone when the disaster hits.
Q) Do you support a “risk fee” on big banks? Why or why not?
A) This is a new tax concept proposed by some in the government because since the government has historically favored Big Banks and bailed them out at the expense of the tax payers they now want to tax them as a way for the banks to return money back to the government. Big Banks should be treated like any other size bank or business. Government should not be picking winners and losers, and should not be passing special taxes for different categories of businesses. This type of legislation is ripe for crony capitalism abuse. The government should be looking for ways to tax all businesses less not more.
Health care:
Q) Should Obamacare be overturned, left intact, or changed — and if so how?
A) Should be repealed and replaced. Has resulted in higher costs and less coverage for many hard working people. With its resultant low reimbursement to providers it could result in less access to health care for many. It has had negative impact on many businesses that have chosen not to expand because of its stifling mandates and regulations. It has also precipitated a consolidation of insurers in the market heading us toward a single payer system controlled by the government. If and when this happens the quality and service will decline similar to other government run services.
Q) Do you favor stripping federal funds from Planned Parenthood? Why or why not?
A) Planned Parenthood should not be aborting viable fetuses and selling their body parts. I would defund Planned Parenthood for their egregious acts. I would separate out any division of Planned Parenthood that provides other important medical care such as treatment for cervical cancer and put special restrictions for any federal money to be used specifically for that care.
Immigration:
Q) President Obama used his executive powers to prevent the deportation of "DREAMers—youths who came to the U.S. illegally as children with their parents. Would you support legislation to prevent DREAMer deportations? Do you support putting DREAMers on a path to citizenship?
A) We need to secure our borders. Immediately deport illegal aliens who are felons. Stop the inflow of illegals into our country. We should repeal the Anchor baby law. I would then reassess our countries economic situation and the devastation illegal immigration has brought to this country and make a decision at that time. Our current group of career politicians have done nothing to solve this crisis.
Education:
Q) What congressional reforms do you favor to address America’s student loan crisis?
A) Create an environment in America with less regulations, lower taxes, positive business environment and reduce H-1B Visas so our home grown students can get a good paying job and pay off their loans.
Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board questionnaire responses
Legislative priorities:
Q) What are your three top national legislative priorities for the country?
A) Protect our homeland and strengthen our Military
Reduce Debt and Reduce Taxes
Secure our borders and vetting those entering our country
Q: What are the three most important issues in your district on which you believe the federal government needs to act?
Balance Budget and Reduce the Debt
Repealing and Replacing ACA
Government Transparency
Q) What is your biggest fundamental difference with your opponent(s)?
A) I am a conservative in word and deed. I am not an establishment, crony capitalist, career politician.
Transparency:
Q) Will you pledge to make public: a) your campaign schedule; b) your fundraiser schedule and the names of all fundraiser hosts; c) if elected, your daily schedule of meetings? If not, why not?
A) Yes, I am big proponent of government transparency. When I was president of Glen Ellyn Park District we received a “Sunshine Award” from the Illinois Policy Institute for our achievements in government transparency. We were one of the first park districts in Illinois to receive the award.
Q) Please list all relatives on public or campaign payrolls and their jobs on those payrolls.
A) None from my immediate family. None that I am aware in extended family.
National security:
Q) What are the most important actions Congress can take to reduce the threat of ISIS abroad and at home?
A) Strengthen Military, promote strong leaders, and take the offensive. Eliminate threat and then follow through with stabilization of the region. Take the lead. Put on indefinite hold immigration from areas where ISIS has influence.
Q) What bans, if any, do you support on Muslim admissions to the United States? Please explain your position.
A) See above.
Q) Specifically, how would you have, or how did you, vote on the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015 and its efforts to make it harder for Syrian and Iraqi refugees to enter the U.S.? Please explain your position.
A) Would have been in favor. Would work on securing the peace in Syria and Iraqi and there then would be no need for mass emigration from those areas.
Q) Do you support a Syrian no-fly zone or the U.S. enforcement of Syrian humanitarian safe zones? Why or why not?
A) Yes.
Q) Regarding the House Benghazi Select Committee, should its investigation remain open-ended, or should the panel be given a deadline to complete its work? Please explain.
A) Would reopen if witnesses that had pertinent information and solid proof that implicated those involved in any wrong doing or cover up came forward.
Q) What measures, if any, do you support to give U.S. authorities access to encrypt or “dark web” communications about potential terrorist plots? Please explain.
A) Would need to have more detail about program. It seems that obvious indicators of terrorist’s plots are sometimes overlooked or ignored. I would start making improvements there. I am not in favor of government over reach into citizens’ personal freedoms.
Q) Do you support transferring the detention of terrorism suspects from Guantanamo Bay to the United States? Why or why not?
A) No. They are terrorists who want to do us harm. Keep them put away. Guantanamo is good place for them.
Gun violence:
Q) What is the single most important action Congress can take to reduce U.S. gun violence?
A) Reduce number of terrorists and criminals. Invest in mental health programs.
Q) Do you support or oppose the ‘‘Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act?” Please explain your position.
A) Concept sounds great. Titles often can be misleading. It is important that all citizens’ civil liberties are protected. Many Americans who are self-reliant feel safer having the ability to protect themselves with their own firearms. Terrorists and their accomplices should be imprisoned or deported.
Climate change:
Q) Do you believe there is scientific evidence of climate change, and is it caused by human activity? What is your position on the Paris climate change agreement?
A) The climate is always changing and has done so long before man existed. Human activity has an effect on everything in the world. Nature also has an effect on the world. It is also important that we protect the planet and continue to reduce all forms of pollution. Much of the discussion on global warming, now called climate change, is super charged with politics and should be looked at more scientific and objective. The Paris agreement was not vetted by congress which it should have been.
Economy:
Q) What changes, if any, to the U.S. tax code do you support and why?
A) Reduce taxes. Fairer system. Simpler system.
Q) What are the most important actions Congress can take to ensure the solvency of Social Security?
A) Make sure people who are not disabled are not collecting it.
Realistically you would have three choices. Means testing which is unfair to those that put money in and don’t get it back. Raise the rates which is difficult on those still working. Raise the age of retirement since people are living longer healthier lives and many are still working. Not going to be popular with those turning 65. All have their critics so you could possibly do a combination approach. Bottom line is somebody needs to have the guts to fix it. Don’t look to a career politician for the solution they will just kick these cans down the road. They will be gone when the disaster hits.
Q) Do you support a “risk fee” on big banks? Why or why not?
A) This is a new tax concept proposed by some in the government because since the government has historically favored Big Banks and bailed them out at the expense of the tax payers they now want to tax them as a way for the banks to return money back to the government. Big Banks should be treated like any other size bank or business. Government should not be picking winners and losers, and should not be passing special taxes for different categories of businesses. This type of legislation is ripe for crony capitalism abuse. The government should be looking for ways to tax all businesses less not more.
Health care:
Q) Should Obamacare be overturned, left intact, or changed — and if so how?
A) Should be repealed and replaced. Has resulted in higher costs and less coverage for many hard working people. With its resultant low reimbursement to providers it could result in less access to health care for many. It has had negative impact on many businesses that have chosen not to expand because of its stifling mandates and regulations. It has also precipitated a consolidation of insurers in the market heading us toward a single payer system controlled by the government. If and when this happens the quality and service will decline similar to other government run services.
Q) Do you favor stripping federal funds from Planned Parenthood? Why or why not?
A) Planned Parenthood should not be aborting viable fetuses and selling their body parts. I would defund Planned Parenthood for their egregious acts. I would separate out any division of Planned Parenthood that provides other important medical care such as treatment for cervical cancer and put special restrictions for any federal money to be used specifically for that care.
Immigration:
Q) President Obama used his executive powers to prevent the deportation of "DREAMers—youths who came to the U.S. illegally as children with their parents. Would you support legislation to prevent DREAMer deportations? Do you support putting DREAMers on a path to citizenship?
A) We need to secure our borders. Immediately deport illegal aliens who are felons. Stop the inflow of illegals into our country. We should repeal the Anchor baby law. I would then reassess our countries economic situation and the devastation illegal immigration has brought to this country and make a decision at that time. Our current group of career politicians have done nothing to solve this crisis.
Education:
Q) What congressional reforms do you favor to address America’s student loan crisis?
A) Create an environment in America with less regulations, lower taxes, positive business environment and reduce H-1B Visas so our home grown students can get a good paying job and pay off their loans.
Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board questionnaire responses
Legislative priorities:
Q) What are your three top national legislative priorities for the country?
A) Protect our homeland and strengthen our Military
Reduce Debt and Reduce Taxes
Secure our borders and vetting those entering our country
Q: What are the three most important issues in your district on which you believe the federal government needs to act?
Balance Budget and Reduce the Debt
Repealing and Replacing ACA
Government Transparency
Q) What is your biggest fundamental difference with your opponent(s)?
A) I am a conservative in word and deed. I am not an establishment, crony capitalist, career politician.
Transparency:
Q) Will you pledge to make public: a) your campaign schedule; b) your fundraiser schedule and the names of all fundraiser hosts; c) if elected, your daily schedule of meetings? If not, why not?
A) Yes, I am big proponent of government transparency. When I was president of Glen Ellyn Park District we received a “Sunshine Award” from the Illinois Policy Institute for our achievements in government transparency. We were one of the first park districts in Illinois to receive the award.
Q) Please list all relatives on public or campaign payrolls and their jobs on those payrolls.
A) None from my immediate family. None that I am aware in extended family.
National security:
Q) What are the most important actions Congress can take to reduce the threat of ISIS abroad and at home?
A) Strengthen Military, promote strong leaders, and take the offensive. Eliminate threat and then follow through with stabilization of the region. Take the lead. Put on indefinite hold immigration from areas where ISIS has influence.
Q) What bans, if any, do you support on Muslim admissions to the United States? Please explain your position.
A) See above.
Q) Specifically, how would you have, or how did you, vote on the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015 and its efforts to make it harder for Syrian and Iraqi refugees to enter the U.S.? Please explain your position.
A) Would have been in favor. Would work on securing the peace in Syria and Iraqi and there then would be no need for mass emigration from those areas.
Q) Do you support a Syrian no-fly zone or the U.S. enforcement of Syrian humanitarian safe zones? Why or why not?
A) Yes.
Q) Regarding the House Benghazi Select Committee, should its investigation remain open-ended, or should the panel be given a deadline to complete its work? Please explain.
A) Would reopen if witnesses that had pertinent information and solid proof that implicated those involved in any wrong doing or cover up came forward.
Q) What measures, if any, do you support to give U.S. authorities access to encrypt or “dark web” communications about potential terrorist plots? Please explain.
A) Would need to have more detail about program. It seems that obvious indicators of terrorist’s plots are sometimes overlooked or ignored. I would start making improvements there. I am not in favor of government over reach into citizens’ personal freedoms.
Q) Do you support transferring the detention of terrorism suspects from Guantanamo Bay to the United States? Why or why not?
A) No. They are terrorists who want to do us harm. Keep them put away. Guantanamo is good place for them.
Gun violence:
Q) What is the single most important action Congress can take to reduce U.S. gun violence?
A) Reduce number of terrorists and criminals. Invest in mental health programs.
Q) Do you support or oppose the ‘‘Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act?” Please explain your position.
A) Concept sounds great. Titles often can be misleading. It is important that all citizens’ civil liberties are protected. Many Americans who are self-reliant feel safer having the ability to protect themselves with their own firearms. Terrorists and their accomplices should be imprisoned or deported.
Climate change:
Q) Do you believe there is scientific evidence of climate change, and is it caused by human activity? What is your position on the Paris climate change agreement?
A) The climate is always changing and has done so long before man existed. Human activity has an effect on everything in the world. Nature also has an effect on the world. It is also important that we protect the planet and continue to reduce all forms of pollution. Much of the discussion on global warming, now called climate change, is super charged with politics and should be looked at more scientific and objective. The Paris agreement was not vetted by congress which it should have been.
Economy:
Q) What changes, if any, to the U.S. tax code do you support and why?
A) Reduce taxes. Fairer system. Simpler system.
Q) What are the most important actions Congress can take to ensure the solvency of Social Security?
A) Make sure people who are not disabled are not collecting it.
Realistically you would have three choices. Means testing which is unfair to those that put money in and don’t get it back. Raise the rates which is difficult on those still working. Raise the age of retirement since people are living longer healthier lives and many are still working. Not going to be popular with those turning 65. All have their critics so you could possibly do a combination approach. Bottom line is somebody needs to have the guts to fix it. Don’t look to a career politician for the solution they will just kick these cans down the road. They will be gone when the disaster hits.
Q) Do you support a “risk fee” on big banks? Why or why not?
A) This is a new tax concept proposed by some in the government because since the government has historically favored Big Banks and bailed them out at the expense of the tax payers they now want to tax them as a way for the banks to return money back to the government. Big Banks should be treated like any other size bank or business. Government should not be picking winners and losers, and should not be passing special taxes for different categories of businesses. This type of legislation is ripe for crony capitalism abuse. The government should be looking for ways to tax all businesses less not more.
Health care:
Q) Should Obamacare be overturned, left intact, or changed — and if so how?
A) Should be repealed and replaced. Has resulted in higher costs and less coverage for many hard working people. With its resultant low reimbursement to providers it could result in less access to health care for many. It has had negative impact on many businesses that have chosen not to expand because of its stifling mandates and regulations. It has also precipitated a consolidation of insurers in the market heading us toward a single payer system controlled by the government. If and when this happens the quality and service will decline similar to other government run services.
Q) Do you favor stripping federal funds from Planned Parenthood? Why or why not?
A) Planned Parenthood should not be aborting viable fetuses and selling their body parts. I would defund Planned Parenthood for their egregious acts. I would separate out any division of Planned Parenthood that provides other important medical care such as treatment for cervical cancer and put special restrictions for any federal money to be used specifically for that care.
Immigration:
Q) President Obama used his executive powers to prevent the deportation of "DREAMers—youths who came to the U.S. illegally as children with their parents. Would you support legislation to prevent DREAMer deportations? Do you support putting DREAMers on a path to citizenship?
A) We need to secure our borders. Immediately deport illegal aliens who are felons. Stop the inflow of illegals into our country. We should repeal the Anchor baby law. I would then reassess our countries economic situation and the devastation illegal immigration has brought to this country and make a decision at that time. Our current group of career politicians have done nothing to solve this crisis.
Education:
Q) What congressional reforms do you favor to address America’s student loan crisis?
A) Create an environment in America with less regulations, lower taxes, positive business environment and reduce H-1B Visas so our home grown students can get a good paying job and pay off their loans.
Gordon (Jay) Kinzler
District running for: 6th Congressional in Illinois
Political/civic background:
Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, Sworn in 11-9-07 and still serving.
Glen Ellyn Park District Commissioner 4-09 to present. Was president of the Park District 5-7-13 to 5-6-14.
Medical Staff President of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital 9-15-15 thru present.
Medical Staff Quality Oversight Committee of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital 10-1-13 thru present
The Doctors Company Illinois Advisory Board member 4/11/11 thru present
Physician Advisory Council (formally Physician Strategic Planning Council) 10-21-13 thru present
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital - Ethics Committee 1995-1997
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) 10-05
Village of Glen Ellyn Environmental Commission Member 4-28-03 to 8-08
Occupation: Physician and Urological Surgeon
Education:
Loyola University of Chicago B.S. 1984
Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL. M.D. 5-84
1984-1985 Intern in Surgery, Loyola University Medical
Center, Maywood, Illinois
1985-1986 Surgery Resident, Loyola University Medical
Center, Maywood, Illinois
1986-1990 Urology Resident, Loyola University Medical
Center, Maywood, Illinois
1990-1991 Renal Transplant Fellow, St. Vincent's Medical
Center, University of Southern California,
Los Angeles, California
Campaign website: www.kinzlerforcongress.com
Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board questionnaire responses
Legislative priorities:
Q) What are your three top national legislative priorities for the country?
A) Protect our homeland and strengthen our Military
Reduce Debt and Reduce Taxes
Secure our borders and vetting those entering our country
Q: What are the three most important issues in your district on which you believe the federal government needs to act?
Balance Budget and Reduce the Debt
Repealing and Replacing ACA
Government Transparency
Q) What is your biggest fundamental difference with your opponent(s)?
A) I am a conservative in word and deed. I am not an establishment, crony capitalist, career politician.
Transparency:
Q) Will you pledge to make public: a) your campaign schedule; b) your fundraiser schedule and the names of all fundraiser hosts; c) if elected, your daily schedule of meetings? If not, why not?
A) Yes, I am big proponent of government transparency. When I was president of Glen Ellyn Park District we received a “Sunshine Award” from the Illinois Policy Institute for our achievements in government transparency. We were one of the first park districts in Illinois to receive the award.
Q) Please list all relatives on public or campaign payrolls and their jobs on those payrolls.
A) None from my immediate family. None that I am aware in extended family.
National security:
Q) What are the most important actions Congress can take to reduce the threat of ISIS abroad and at home?
A) Strengthen Military, promote strong leaders, and take the offensive. Eliminate threat and then follow through with stabilization of the region. Take the lead. Put on indefinite hold immigration from areas where ISIS has influence.
Q) What bans, if any, do you support on Muslim admissions to the United States? Please explain your position.
A) See above.
Q) Specifically, how would you have, or how did you, vote on the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015 and its efforts to make it harder for Syrian and Iraqi refugees to enter the U.S.? Please explain your position.
A) Would have been in favor. Would work on securing the peace in Syria and Iraqi and there then would be no need for mass emigration from those areas.
Q) Do you support a Syrian no-fly zone or the U.S. enforcement of Syrian humanitarian safe zones? Why or why not?
A) Yes.
Q) Regarding the House Benghazi Select Committee, should its investigation remain open-ended, or should the panel be given a deadline to complete its work? Please explain.
A) Would reopen if witnesses that had pertinent information and solid proof that implicated those involved in any wrong doing or cover up came forward.
Q) What measures, if any, do you support to give U.S. authorities access to encrypt or “dark web” communications about potential terrorist plots? Please explain.
A) Would need to have more detail about program. It seems that obvious indicators of terrorist’s plots are sometimes overlooked or ignored. I would start making improvements there. I am not in favor of government over reach into citizens’ personal freedoms.
Q) Do you support transferring the detention of terrorism suspects from Guantanamo Bay to the United States? Why or why not?
A) No. They are terrorists who want to do us harm. Keep them put away. Guantanamo is good place for them.
Gun violence:
Q) What is the single most important action Congress can take to reduce U.S. gun violence?
A) Reduce number of terrorists and criminals. Invest in mental health programs.
Q) Do you support or oppose the ‘‘Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act?” Please explain your position.
A) Concept sounds great. Titles often can be misleading. It is important that all citizens’ civil liberties are protected. Many Americans who are self-reliant feel safer having the ability to protect themselves with their own firearms. Terrorists and their accomplices should be imprisoned or deported.
Climate change:
Q) Do you believe there is scientific evidence of climate change, and is it caused by human activity? What is your position on the Paris climate change agreement?
A) The climate is always changing and has done so long before man existed. Human activity has an effect on everything in the world. Nature also has an effect on the world. It is also important that we protect the planet and continue to reduce all forms of pollution. Much of the discussion on global warming, now called climate change, is super charged with politics and should be looked at more scientific and objective. The Paris agreement was not vetted by congress which it should have been.
Economy:
Q) What changes, if any, to the U.S. tax code do you support and why?
A) Reduce taxes. Fairer system. Simpler system.
Q) What are the most important actions Congress can take to ensure the solvency of Social Security?
A) Make sure people who are not disabled are not collecting it.
Realistically you would have three choices. Means testing which is unfair to those that put money in and don’t get it back. Raise the rates which is difficult on those still working. Raise the age of retirement since people are living longer healthier lives and many are still working. Not going to be popular with those turning 65. All have their critics so you could possibly do a combination approach. Bottom line is somebody needs to have the guts to fix it. Don’t look to a career politician for the solution they will just kick these cans down the road. They will be gone when the disaster hits.
Q) Do you support a “risk fee” on big banks? Why or why not?
A) This is a new tax concept proposed by some in the government because since the government has historically favored Big Banks and bailed them out at the expense of the tax payers they now want to tax them as a way for the banks to return money back to the government. Big Banks should be treated like any other size bank or business. Government should not be picking winners and losers, and should not be passing special taxes for different categories of businesses. This type of legislation is ripe for crony capitalism abuse. The government should be looking for ways to tax all businesses less not more.
Health care:
Q) Should Obamacare be overturned, left intact, or changed — and if so how?
A) Should be repealed and replaced. Has resulted in higher costs and less coverage for many hard working people. With its resultant low reimbursement to providers it could result in less access to health care for many. It has had negative impact on many businesses that have chosen not to expand because of its stifling mandates and regulations. It has also precipitated a consolidation of insurers in the market heading us toward a single payer system controlled by the government. If and when this happens the quality and service will decline similar to other government run services.
Q) Do you favor stripping federal funds from Planned Parenthood? Why or why not?
A) Planned Parenthood should not be aborting viable fetuses and selling their body parts. I would defund Planned Parenthood for their egregious acts. I would separate out any division of Planned Parenthood that provides other important medical care such as treatment for cervical cancer and put special restrictions for any federal money to be used specifically for that care.
Immigration:
Q) President Obama used his executive powers to prevent the deportation of "DREAMers—youths who came to the U.S. illegally as children with their parents. Would you support legislation to prevent DREAMer deportations? Do you support putting DREAMers on a path to citizenship?
A) We need to secure our borders. Immediately deport illegal aliens who are felons. Stop the inflow of illegals into our country. We should repeal the Anchor baby law. I would then reassess our countries economic situation and the devastation illegal immigration has brought to this country and make a decision at that time. Our current group of career politicians have done nothing to solve this crisis.
Education:
Q) What congressional reforms do you favor to address America’s student loan crisis?
A) Create an environment in America with less regulations, lower taxes, positive business environment and reduce H-1B Visas so our home grown students can get a good paying job and pay off their loans.
Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board questionnaire responses
Legislative priorities:
Q) What are your three top national legislative priorities for the country?
A) Protect our homeland and strengthen our Military
Reduce Debt and Reduce Taxes
Secure our borders and vetting those entering our country
Q: What are the three most important issues in your district on which you believe the federal government needs to act?
Balance Budget and Reduce the Debt
Repealing and Replacing ACA
Government Transparency
Q) What is your biggest fundamental difference with your opponent(s)?
A) I am a conservative in word and deed. I am not an establishment, crony capitalist, career politician.
Transparency:
Q) Will you pledge to make public: a) your campaign schedule; b) your fundraiser schedule and the names of all fundraiser hosts; c) if elected, your daily schedule of meetings? If not, why not?
A) Yes, I am big proponent of government transparency. When I was president of Glen Ellyn Park District we received a “Sunshine Award” from the Illinois Policy Institute for our achievements in government transparency. We were one of the first park districts in Illinois to receive the award.
Q) Please list all relatives on public or campaign payrolls and their jobs on those payrolls.
A) None from my immediate family. None that I am aware in extended family.
National security:
Q) What are the most important actions Congress can take to reduce the threat of ISIS abroad and at home?
A) Strengthen Military, promote strong leaders, and take the offensive. Eliminate threat and then follow through with stabilization of the region. Take the lead. Put on indefinite hold immigration from areas where ISIS has influence.
Q) What bans, if any, do you support on Muslim admissions to the United States? Please explain your position.
A) See above.
Q) Specifically, how would you have, or how did you, vote on the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015 and its efforts to make it harder for Syrian and Iraqi refugees to enter the U.S.? Please explain your position.
A) Would have been in favor. Would work on securing the peace in Syria and Iraqi and there then would be no need for mass emigration from those areas.
Q) Do you support a Syrian no-fly zone or the U.S. enforcement of Syrian humanitarian safe zones? Why or why not?
A) Yes.
Q) Regarding the House Benghazi Select Committee, should its investigation remain open-ended, or should the panel be given a deadline to complete its work? Please explain.
A) Would reopen if witnesses that had pertinent information and solid proof that implicated those involved in any wrong doing or cover up came forward.
Q) What measures, if any, do you support to give U.S. authorities access to encrypt or “dark web” communications about potential terrorist plots? Please explain.
A) Would need to have more detail about program. It seems that obvious indicators of terrorist’s plots are sometimes overlooked or ignored. I would start making improvements there. I am not in favor of government over reach into citizens’ personal freedoms.
Q) Do you support transferring the detention of terrorism suspects from Guantanamo Bay to the United States? Why or why not?
A) No. They are terrorists who want to do us harm. Keep them put away. Guantanamo is good place for them.
Gun violence:
Q) What is the single most important action Congress can take to reduce U.S. gun violence?
A) Reduce number of terrorists and criminals. Invest in mental health programs.
Q) Do you support or oppose the ‘‘Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act?” Please explain your position.
A) Concept sounds great. Titles often can be misleading. It is important that all citizens’ civil liberties are protected. Many Americans who are self-reliant feel safer having the ability to protect themselves with their own firearms. Terrorists and their accomplices should be imprisoned or deported.
Climate change:
Q) Do you believe there is scientific evidence of climate change, and is it caused by human activity? What is your position on the Paris climate change agreement?
A) The climate is always changing and has done so long before man existed. Human activity has an effect on everything in the world. Nature also has an effect on the world. It is also important that we protect the planet and continue to reduce all forms of pollution. Much of the discussion on global warming, now called climate change, is super charged with politics and should be looked at more scientific and objective. The Paris agreement was not vetted by congress which it should have been.
Economy:
Q) What changes, if any, to the U.S. tax code do you support and why?
A) Reduce taxes. Fairer system. Simpler system.
Q) What are the most important actions Congress can take to ensure the solvency of Social Security?
A) Make sure people who are not disabled are not collecting it.
Realistically you would have three choices. Means testing which is unfair to those that put money in and don’t get it back. Raise the rates which is difficult on those still working. Raise the age of retirement since people are living longer healthier lives and many are still working. Not going to be popular with those turning 65. All have their critics so you could possibly do a combination approach. Bottom line is somebody needs to have the guts to fix it. Don’t look to a career politician for the solution they will just kick these cans down the road. They will be gone when the disaster hits.
Q) Do you support a “risk fee” on big banks? Why or why not?
A) This is a new tax concept proposed by some in the government because since the government has historically favored Big Banks and bailed them out at the expense of the tax payers they now want to tax them as a way for the banks to return money back to the government. Big Banks should be treated like any other size bank or business. Government should not be picking winners and losers, and should not be passing special taxes for different categories of businesses. This type of legislation is ripe for crony capitalism abuse. The government should be looking for ways to tax all businesses less not more.
Health care:
Q) Should Obamacare be overturned, left intact, or changed — and if so how?
A) Should be repealed and replaced. Has resulted in higher costs and less coverage for many hard working people. With its resultant low reimbursement to providers it could result in less access to health care for many. It has had negative impact on many businesses that have chosen not to expand because of its stifling mandates and regulations. It has also precipitated a consolidation of insurers in the market heading us toward a single payer system controlled by the government. If and when this happens the quality and service will decline similar to other government run services.
Q) Do you favor stripping federal funds from Planned Parenthood? Why or why not?
A) Planned Parenthood should not be aborting viable fetuses and selling their body parts. I would defund Planned Parenthood for their egregious acts. I would separate out any division of Planned Parenthood that provides other important medical care such as treatment for cervical cancer and put special restrictions for any federal money to be used specifically for that care.
Immigration:
Q) President Obama used his executive powers to prevent the deportation of "DREAMers—youths who came to the U.S. illegally as children with their parents. Would you support legislation to prevent DREAMer deportations? Do you support putting DREAMers on a path to citizenship?
A) We need to secure our borders. Immediately deport illegal aliens who are felons. Stop the inflow of illegals into our country. We should repeal the Anchor baby law. I would then reassess our countries economic situation and the devastation illegal immigration has brought to this country and make a decision at that time. Our current group of career politicians have done nothing to solve this crisis.
Education:
Q) What congressional reforms do you favor to address America’s student loan crisis?
A) Create an environment in America with less regulations, lower taxes, positive business environment and reduce H-1B Visas so our home grown students can get a good paying job and pay off their loans.