Candidate Responses for CA-39
Comparing responses to Innovation & the Elections 2008 for:
Innovation
Science and technology have been responsible for half of the growth of the American economy since World War II. But several recent reports question America’s continued leadership in these vital areas. What policies would you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?
Linda Sánchez
All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Linda Sánchez to participate by sending her an email today.Diane Lenning
Failure of the education establishment has not provided the needed quality candidates for jobs in the field of science and technology. Improving the rigor and curricular standards of education nationwide will assure quality personnel for the fields of science and technology for the future. No Child Left Behind seeks to raise the level of knowledge for American students by assuring a minimum competency level for all graduates. This requirement will provide quality students who can accomplish college and graduate level study programs that will provide the level of expertise required to achieve in the field of science and technology.Government funding for science and technology fields will provide assurance for research and jobs. A vibrant healthy economy will assure the formation and survival of private foundations and businesses necessary to assure prominence in the field of science and technology.
Leadership from Congress can provide direction and goals for our future in using science and technology to build new ideas through innovation to improve the quality of life for Americans and people around the world. For example, improved technology will be required for America as we move forward to achieve ENERGY INDEPENDENCE by building new Energy sources such as Nuclear, Wind, Solar, Geothermal, Natural Gas, and Clean Coal.
Continued research in space technology will give opportunity for leadership and advancement in technological equipment, national security, military strength, communications, surveillance, computer technology, and many other needs and goals in the field of science and technology.
Climate Change
The Earth’s climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change—a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, and research? Are there other policies you would support?
Linda Sánchez
All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Linda Sánchez to participate by sending her an email today.Diane Lenning
The earth is going through a cyclical warming with possible contributing causes of environmental pollution, natural phenomena such as volcanoes, and other climatic changes. We must look to solutions based upon sound scientific evidence. Looking to answers based upon political dogma rather than rational scientific evidence and answers will not be sufficient for genuine problem-solving for our future.Mentoring developing industrial nations with solutions to pollution that western countries developed through the era of the Industrial Revolution is a good place to start in solving the problem. Scrubbers and filters on manufacturing and energy plant stacks in developing industrial nations will reduce pollution in large percentages and greatly reduce the pollution that drifts toward other countries as well.
Will a carbon tax realistically decrease the amount of environmental damage, or will it simply provide government funding from manufacturers to continue their irresponsible use? Providing guidelines with benchmarks for continued improvement in these areas of technology would better serve to meet the changes that are necessary to reduce pollution and environmental damage. Methods of enforcement may include modified licensing, closure, and qualified injunctions.
A modified cap-and-trade system may work or it may not when enforcement is not achievable.
Fuel economy standards would provide minor impact upon the total environmental issue. Development of all resources and cleaner alternative fuels will fill-in the growing need of energy for greater quality of life around the world.
Seeking ways of education, public policy, and mentoring is a way a friendly nation would seek to assist involved parties, and other countries to achieve mutually beneficial goals for people around the world.
Energy
Many scientists and policymakers say energy security and sustainability are major problems facing the United States this century. What policies would you support to meet the demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?
Linda Sánchez
All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Linda Sánchez to participate by sending her an email today.Diane Lenning
We must actively seek ENERGY INDEPENDENCE now! We cannot afford to wait for economic security and national security to meander along without a rational plan. The longer we wait to develop all the natural resources available for our future, the longer our fragile economy and security will remain vulnerable to Economic and Military attack or declining strength.Energy Dependence upon foreign countries who may remain hostile in our regard, is a great risk for the future of our children and grandchildren.
We must join our need for Energy Independence with the need to grow jobs and grow our economy. Developing all our resources such as Wind, Solar, Nuclear, Oil, Geothermal, Natural Gas, and Clean Coal will provide a higher quality of life for all, and a strong economic future for America and the world.
Improved technological advances in the last thirty years will provide development of our natural resources while assuring a clean environment. Other countries such as France have developed nuclear energy through clean technology at affordable prices for the consumer, while providing thousands of ongoing jobs.
Transportation using alternative fuel sources will provide cheaper prices, more jobs, and a cleaner environment while improving the quality of living to people around the world who will incorporate these technological advances into their emerging and growing societies.
America can be the leader in providing New Clean energy sources that improve the quality of life for all people of the world by facilitating the universal use of modern conveniences such as appliances and modern technology that provide for a higher quality of health, education, and general welfare by building more infrastructure, (i.e. roads, bridges, and airports), communication devices, hospitals, schools, housing, metro-centers, transportation vehicles, assuring harmonious societies, as well as improving agricultural processes for larger quantities and improved sources of food.
Education
A comparison of 15-year-olds in 30 wealthy nations found that average science scores among U.S. students ranked 17th, while average U.S. math scores ranked 24th. What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K-12 students for the science and technology driven 21st Century?
Linda Sánchez
All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Linda Sánchez to participate by sending her an email today.Diane Lenning
A quality education for America's youth is a civil right of our time. We must work to assure a rigorous academic curriculum for all students, facilitating equal access to all levels of education.No Child Left Behind will provide a minimum competency level of academic achievement that is measureable and consistent throughout the nation. Diagnostic assessments and mentoring programs assure deficiencies will be remedied, and students will achieve the required levels of academic achievement required to earn a diploma.
Reducing the Drop-out-rate, and improving the graduation rate will improve the level of skill development for students seeking jobs in science and technology industries. A basic high school diploma providing the required academic and skill development necessary will assure greater success in higher education course-work that will facilitate greater achievement in science and technology.
Improved requirements for math and science will assure the pool of expert young scientists and mathematicians our country needs to provide for a secure and quality future for our children and grandchildren.
Scholarships and achievement awards for high achieving students in math, science, and technology would encourage more young people to enter the field of math and science. High visibility of jobs in the field of science and technology through commercials, brochures, school counselors, job placement services, military personnel, community resource groups, etc. will inform young people of the need for their expertise in society, giving them direction in choosing their careers.
Water
Thirty-nine states expect some level of water shortage over the next decade, and scientific studies suggest that a majority of our water resources are at risk. What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?
Linda Sánchez
All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Linda Sánchez to participate by sending her an email today.Diane Lenning
Desalination plants can provide a large percentage of water needed in the near future. Education programs that explain the necessity of increased amounts of water for human survival is important in assuring citizens and environmentalists of the clean technology used in the desalination process.Percolation processes to assure quality cyclical replenishment of essential clean and healthy ground-water is important for every community to monitor with oversight by qualified scientists.
Levels of harmful bacteria and biological contaminants require testing and monitoring on an ongoing basis using qualified scientists who can assess and remedy water contamination problems.
Quality infrasture upgrades that assure transportation of healthy water supplies and guarantee no intrusion from sewer systems are essential for clean water. Dumping of contaminants must be monitored and released only in designated approved sites, or reclaimed according to scientifically proven solutions.
Reclaimed water must meet the scientific levels necessary for healthy consumption or use as designated. Processing of bleaching and treating contaminated water is essential to assure a healthy water system for every community, and prevent unhealthful dumping of waste products into oceans and waterways.
Education and monitoring of urban runoff must be enforced to assure quality ground water, clean oceans, watersheds, and waterways.
Expert scientists will assure clean water for the health of every community member.
Research
For many years, Congress has recognized the importance of science and engineering research to realizing our national goals. Given that the next Congress will likely face spending constraints, what priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?
Linda Sánchez
All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Linda Sánchez to participate by sending her an email today.Diane Lenning
Under the constraints of a limited budget, it is important to prioritize the needs in science and research funding according to life sustaining needs such as good health, clean water supplies, and growth of crops for survival needs.Additionally, national survival needs are important for the security of our nation. Research in military and communications technology is important for our future and our survival. Bargaining from a position of strength is important to remain a leader of strength in the world of the future, and to provide security for our nation.
As far as space research may support these goals, the need for space research continues for satellite maintenance and replacement using updated equipment and technology.
Research in space, medicine, environmental issues, communication, transportation, computer technology, and many other areas are important to support in meeting the essential needs of growing populations.
Health
Americans are increasingly concerned with the cost, quality, and availability of health care. How do you see science, research, and technology contributing to improved health and quality of life?
Linda Sánchez
All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Linda Sánchez to participate by sending her an email today.Diane Lenning
Market-based solutions can supplement and support the current high quality health care system in America. A single-payer health care system will decrease the quality of health care in America and lead our economy toward socialism. Totally changing the delivery of a mammoth health care system will be problematic and assure many decades of working a transition that will cost billions of dollars to taxpayers.Our Democratic Republic is based upon the concept of a free-market enterprise system where individuals may improve their lives and economic security by working hard and planning for their economic future. It is the role of government to provide leadership and oversight that will assure freedom from fraud and a quality health care system that works efficiently and fiscally responsibly for everyone.
Medical decisions are best made by the doctor, the patient, and their family. Payment decisions made by distanct health care administrators are removed from the individual needs of patients; however, some oversight of medical procedures, medicare payments, and efficient reasonable use of name brand and generic drugs is necessary to keep the costs manageable.
Viable elective alternatives such as medical accounts, tax incentives, and small business insurance pools can provide assurances for many individuals not currently covered by health insurance.
Health insurance may or may not be a right, but health insurance is an essential need of every American. As a society, there is a moral obligation to provide for the weak and infirmed. A health safety net can be provided by greater use of "pooling" individuals, and for some who may not be able to work or pay large premiums, may pay graduated payments for catatrophic coverage according to a low percentage quota per insurance company.
I am willing to work across the aisle to develop a viable health insurance plan that will meet the needs of all Americans.
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