The League of Women Voters of New Mexico
Voters' Guide to the 2012 Election
last revised 11.06.2012
last revised 11.06.2012
Two-year term. Candidates must be at least 25 years old, a United States citizen of seven years, and must be an inhabitant of New Mexico. The United States House of Representatives has 435 members of which New Mexico is entitled to three. The annual salary for a United States Representative is $174,000 with annual COLA.
On the map, District 1 is green and in the center, District 2 is orange and in the south, and District 3 is purple and in the north. Click on the map for greater detail.
District 1 District 2 District 3
1. Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for office of United States Representative. (75 words)
After earning my law degree, I worked as director of the state Agency on Aging and protected seniors from scam artists. As Health Secretary, I fought for women's health and doubled the number of school-based health centers and banned junk food in schools. As a Bernalillo County Commissioner, I held leaders accountable and created hundreds of new jobs. I own a small-business that provides health care access to residents who were denied health insurance.
2. What should the federal government do to strengthen the national economy and create jobs? (75 words)
During my first year in Congress, I will fight to end the Bush Tax Cuts on millionaires and get rid of loopholes for corporate interests. We must show the American people that we are serious about putting the Middle Class first. I will also support a plan to help small businesses get access to capital.
3. What is your position on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? What, if anything, should the federal government do to improve affordability and access to quality health care? (75 words)
The Affordable Care Act is a good start. I will advocate for healthcare programs to manage the underlying causes of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, not just treat the symptoms. I would start by creating pilot programs with medical professionals and lower-cost but well-trained paraprofessionals that effectively treat prevent and treat obesity so that these diseases and their associated costs do not occur at the rates that we see today.
4. What can the federal government do to ensure America's energy needs are met while preserving the environment? Please address the issues of climate change and the Keystone Excel pipeline. (75 words)
I will stand up to corporate polluters and Big Oil, and protect our land, our air and our water. As the home to two national labs, New Mexico can be a leader in the development of Clean Energy technologies. In Congress, I will invest in the development of clean, renewable energy to protect the environment and our citizens while growing the economy, rather than old, inefficient technologies proposed for the Keystone pipeline.
1. Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for office of United States Representative. (75 words)
As a four-term NM House Representative, I earned a reputation as a leader committed to honesty, transparency, and a willingness to build consensus. I'll do the same in Congress. As a private citizen, I built a business and worked with business owners to provide jobs and make a payroll. With experience both in the private and public sectors, I have the experience to serve the needs and values of our district.
2. What should the federal government do to strengthen the national economy and create jobs? (75 words)
We must look past the policy failures that created this economic downturn and implement common sense solutions such as eliminating loopholes, ending duplicated regulations, revising financial industry rules so small businesses have access to loans and developing our own domestic energy production. These changes will create an environment for job growth throughout New Mexico. With more consistent and reliable regulations, job creators will have the tools to plan for their future and start hiring.
3. What is your position on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? What, if anything, should the federal government do to improve affordability and access to quality health care? (75 words)
I support proposals that would remove the bureaucracies that inflate costs and interfere with a patient's direct relationship with their physician. Affordability and access to health care will improve significantly if government engages the private sector. When insurance companies are forced to compete in an open market, patients will always choose the provider offering the best care at the best price. Providers must adapt to patient needs and provide great care at a great price.
4. What can the federal government do to ensure America's energy needs are met while preserving the environment? Please address the issues of climate change and the Keystone Excel pipeline. (75 words)
With so many of America's working families struggling, we must take a balanced approach to curbing harmful emissions that would contaminate our water or pollute our air. The solution lies in pursuing a policy of American energy independence; a solution that includes energy programs that keep Americans employed. The broader our energy base, the lower our reliance on a single energy component, and the stronger our country becomes by assuring affordable, accessible energy.
1. Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for office of United States Representative. (75 words)
Worked with affordable housing issues and the homeless; Lived in inner city housing cooperatives and reservations; witnessed the obstacles that marginalized peoples experience in the U.S.; Worked with refugees; organized to support children in war-torn impoverished areas overseas; went and saw firsthand the devastation wrought there by our own foreign policy; Worked for nuclear disarmament; peace activist; Extensive experience in the field of education and working with at-risk children; www.PahlsforCongress.org.
2. What should the federal government do to strengthen the national economy and create jobs? (75 words)
We must do the following: Eliminate tax cuts to the wealthy; Require corporations to pay their share in taxes; Cut the Defense budget; Nationalize companies that require bailouts/tax cuts; return those companies' profits to workers (eliminating stockholders); require banks to return equity to homeowners when foreclosing; support small businesses, which hire locally, rather than corporations which exploit overseas; adequately fund education; require entities to honor employee pension agreements; increase affordable housing.
3. What is your position on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? What, if anything, should the federal government do to improve affordability and access to quality health care? (75 words)
It is a good first step, initiating a discussion about the right to adequate health care and probably saving many lives at the same time. It unfortunately requires more people to turn to the insurance companies, whigh currently suck more than $400 billion of our health care dollars per year (http://www.pnhp.org/facts/single-payer-resources) . We need a government nonprofit, which will guarantee health care for all and keep costs down. This is single-payer healthcare.
4. What can the federal government do to ensure America's energy needs are met while preserving the environment? Please address the issues of climate change and the Keystone Excel pipeline. (75 words)
We must fully pursue positive energy options: solar, wind, water power; local food sources and local production; electric (not gas powered) vehicles; mass transit, bicycling, pedestrian efforts. Coal and nuclear power are unacceptable. They involve pollution and radioactive waste. Climate change is a serious reality. Corporations must be regulated to prevent pollution and energy consumption. The Keystone Excel pipeline is not an option. It furthers our energy and climate change problems.
1. Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for office of United States Representative. (75 words)
My M.A. degree in Speech/Communication Studies, teaching at NMSU, Doña Ana Community College, and to soldiers at White Sands Missile Range, owning and managing a small business, and being a Democratic political activist who knocks on doors and listens to voters' needs have prepared me to serve the people of NM Congressional District 2. Learning, having empathy for others, and being self-assertive are my greatest strengths.
2. What should the federal government do to strengthen the national economy and create jobs? (75 words)
Raising taxes on incomes over $250,000, continuing to cut waste and fraud from government programs, creating clean, renewable wind and solar energy jobs, encouraging small business growth, bringing jobs back from overseas, repairing roads, bridges, and public schools will help. Furthermore, people will have personal financial security if we preserve Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act along with making sure that jobs are full time with retirement and health benefits.
3. What, if anything, should the federal government do to improve affordability and access to quality health care? (75 words)
Preserving Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) will continue to improve affordability and access to quality health care until we work towards a single payer system like Medicare for everyone. Taking the middle man (insurance companies) out of our health care will save lots of money. In addition, when veterans have an emergency, they should be able to go to the nearest hospital; many live far from the nearest V.A. Hospital.
4. What can the federal government do to slow climate change? (75 words)
Investing in clean renewable energy will help slow down climate change and the need for the Keystone XL pipeline transporting dirty tar sand oil meant for other countries It's important that laws protecting our environment during gas, oil, coal, and nuclear production, transportation, usage, and waste disposal are upheld. Furthermore, teaching about the science of climate change is critical. Moreover, continuing to put pressure on the auto industry for better gas mileage vehicles will help.
1. Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for office of United States Representative. (75 words)
My parents were not well off. We ended up in Hobbs, NM because the car broke down here while my father was searching for work. I joined the Air Force and flew missions during the Vietnam War. I earned an economics degree in College and started my own business. I understand the suffering families feel in this difficult economy. Those experiences allow me to tackle the serious issues to make government work better.
2. What should the federal government do to strengthen the national economy and create jobs? (75 words)
The Federal Government needs to get its finances in order by moving rapidly toward a balanced budget. The deficit and taxes are taking money out of the system that is needed for businesses to grow and hire more people. Simultaneously we need to reform the policies and regulations that stifle jobs and create a path to prosperity for the middle class. Both of these are needed so New Mexico's small business can start hiring locally.
3. What, if anything, should the federal government do to improve affordability and access to quality health care? (75 words)
The Government's massive takeover of health care is going to drive up costs and rural New Mexico in particular is going to suffer from reduced access to doctors and hospitals. So first we repeal it. Then we make sure that people with pre-existing conditions and young people are covered by insurance. We reform frivolous lawsuits that drive up costs by nearly 17% and allow insurance to be purchased across state lines.
4. What can the federal government do to slow climate change? (75 words)
Start with a massive reform of our energy policy. We are too dependent on foreign oil. We can't function without electricity and power for our cars, homes and businesses. So let's expand and diversify U.S. energy production in every way. Expand wind, solar, nuclear, bio-fuels along with natural gas and domestic oil production. We stop buying oil from dictatorships then we can invest in making our energy production cleaner.
1. Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for office of United States Representative. (75 words)
I was born and raised in the community of Nambe where I tended to our acequias, land, and animals. I learned the values, culture, and traditions that make Northern New Mexico such a special place. Over the past four years I have been honored to represent Northern New Mexico in Congress, and I hope to continue my efforts to protect our land and water, strengthen our economy, and preserve Social Security and Medicare for our ...
2. What should the federal government do to strengthen the national economy and create jobs? (75 words)
The federal government must make responsible investments in innovation and education that strengthen our manufacturing sector. We need to prepare our young people with the skills and training for jobs in the science and technology fields so they can out-innovate the rest of the world. In addition, government investments in renewable energy can pave the way for a clean energy economy that creates new jobs by harnessing New Mexico's abundant renewable resources.
3. What, if anything, should the federal government do to improve affordability and access to quality health care? (75 words)
The Affordable Care Act took important steps that are already benefiting seniors, children, young adults, and small businesses in New Mexico. Seniors receive free preventive care through Medicare and discounts on prescription drugs. Children can no longer be discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition. Young adults can stay on their parents' plans until age 26. And small businesses are receiving tax credits to help them afford health insurance for their workers.
4. What can the federal government do to slow climate change? (75 words)
With more than half of the country suffering from drought conditions, we cannot wait to address climate change. Through investments in renewable energy and natural gas, we can reduce carbon emissions and our dependence on foreign oil. I have been a strong supporter of net metering, which encourages the use of renewable energy in homes and offices by allowing consumers to produce their own power through renewable sources and sell excess power to utility companies.
1. Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for office of United States Representative. (75 words)
I have a lifetime of experience in agriculture and the energy industry, and today run my own small business on a ranch outside of Tucumcari. We need a Congressman who understands the district and where the jobs come from, who will stand up for New Mexicans and fight for New Mexico. I'll be a true representative for northern New Mexico who will represent real New Mexico values.
2. What should the federal government do to strengthen the national economy and create jobs? (75 words)
I will fight for and introduce legislation that will stimulate America's economy and get New Mexicans back to work again. I will work to implement an ambitious "New Jobs New Mexico" plan that will reduce regulations and boost private sector jobs in industries important to Northern New Mexico. Simplifying our tax code and regulatory system will go a long way to creating a climate where businesses can grow and thrive.
3. What, if anything, should the federal government do to improve affordability and access to quality health care? (75 words)
I would like to repeal the Affordable Healthcare Act and address each issue separately. I believe health insurance providers should be allowed to compete in order to reduce prices, much like car insurance companies do now. I believe insurance should cover those who have pre-existing conditions. I believe we need to address tort reform in order to reduce frivolous lawsuits. I believe that states should be allowed to implement their own healthcare reforms.
4. What can the federal government do to slow climate change? (75 words)
Being an Environmental Engineer I do not believe in the "Man Made Global Warming Theory". This theory is based in very poorly founded science. Although we have to work to protect the environment, this is not a factor of concern. Science is not a "consensus" but the facts. For those who want to read more about this I encourage them to see: http ://www.middlebury.net/op-ed/global-warming-01 .html. Climate Change is natural occurrence.