US House District 11
Prepared by AAUW, Brevard, NC Branch
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US House District 11 Prepared by AAUW, Brevard, NC Branch You may scroll down to begin viewing the
information provided by the candidates in this race,
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US 11th House District Race,
2004
Information provided by Candidates
to AAUW, Brevard Branch
Candidates:
Democrat: Patsy Keever
Republican: Charles
H Taylor
NR, indicating
No Response to a particular question, will appear until a response is received.
….#, indicates that the response exceeded the 50 word limit.
What are your strongest qualifications for this position?
Keever (D):
I've been working for over 30 years with western North Carolinians and
the issues that
concern them most. As a schoolteacher for 25 years and a county
commissioner for
12, I believe I've brought improvements to people's lives,
their schools, their
communities; and I will do the same in Washington.
Taylor (R):
NR
| Health: Access
to sound, affordable health care remains an issue of major concern in our
country.
Do you support or oppose the following: |
(D) |
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| Federal support to help laid-off workers pay the cost of keeping their health insurance while they find another job with health benefits | Support |
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| Increasing the federal share of Medicaid costs now borne by the states |
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| Changing the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003 to allow purchase of prescription drugs from Canada |
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| Changing the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003 to permit Medicare to bargain with drug companies for the best prices |
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What revisions do you believe are needed in the Medicare Prescription Durg and Modernization Act of 2003? Keever (D): I support repealing the provision that outlines a six-city demonstration program allowing private insurers to compete with Medicare and the financial incentives offered to private health insurers. I am concerned about the so-called “doughnut hole” that requires so many seniors to pay full price for their prescription drugs.
Taylor (R):
NR
| Social Security: Millions
of Americans depend on Social Security. However, it is generally
agreed that Social Security benefits are at risk for future generations.
Do you support or oppose the following |
(D) |
(R) |
| Using Social Security trust funds to pay for other federal expenditures |
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| Keeping the full cost-of-living adjustments |
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| Allowing individuals to invest some portion of their Social Security contributions in private accounts |
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Keever (D): I believe that Social Security is a promise that should be kept from one generation to another. I would oppose changes in the current system, such as using the surplus to pay for other federal expenditures that could result in a potential loss of income for future retirees.
Taylor (R):
NR
| Education: The
quality and funding of education is a major concern in our country.
Do you support or oppose the following: |
(D) |
(R) |
| Increased support for Head Start to bring it to full funding by 2006 |
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| Expanded education and job training for bread-winners of families transitioning from welfare or job loss |
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| Using public funds to support private or church sponsored elementary and secondary education |
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Keever (D): As a schoolteacher for 25 years, I have and will support the highest level of funding for public education. I also see a need to invest in educational opportunities and retraining for people who have lost their jobs, so they can acquire new skills to compete in today’s changing economy.
Taylor (R):
NR
| Education: No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is a significant federal initiative to improve public school education. However, it has been criticized for not providing sufficient funds to states to carry out its requirements. |
What is your opinion of this federal initiative?
Keever (D): No Child Left Behind is an unfunded mandate which demoralizes schools and faculties. I believe in high standards for both our teachers and our children but we must fully support them financially if they are to make progress.
Taylor (R):
NR
| Environment: Environmental issues are of concern to many Americans. Particularly in North Carolina, air quality is a major concern. |
List three (3) steps you would recommend to address the air quality problem:
Keever (D):
1. I will support efforts to strengthen the Clean Air Act by reducing emissions
of air pollutants.
2.
I will support a higher fuel efficiency standard for cars and trucks.
3. I believe in the concept of “polluter pays” and I will hold companies
accountable for cleaning up their pollution.
Taylor (R):
NR
| Economy: The health of our nation's economy is of great concern here and abroad. |
How would you
address the issue of our national debt?
Keever (D):
I would support repealing the Bush tax cuts for the highest income earners
and paying down the federal deficit. I think we should focus tax
cuts on middle and low-income families. I think we must return to
fiscal responsibility and balance the federal budget.
Taylor (R): NR
List three (3)
steps you would recommend to stem the tide of job loss in the US, particularly
in the manufacturing sector:
Keever (D):
1. I will demand the federal government enforce all existing trade
agreements.
2. I will support tax incentives for companies who create jobs in
the U.S.
3. We should support small businesses and other employers by helping
with the cost of providing health insurance to their employees.
Taylor (R):
NR
| Economy: Thirty five (35) million people now live in poverty in the US. (Poverty in the US:2002. US Census Bureau, Sept. 2003) |
List three (3)
steps you would recommend to address the needs of this nation's poor population:
Keever (D):
1. Ensure excellent public education for children and retraining
for adults
2. Ensure access to health insurance, family planning, and wellness
programs
3. Providing access to affordable child care
Taylor (R):
NR
| Economy: Over
44 million Americans are without health insurance and the numbers are rapidly
rising.
(Health Insurance Coverage in the US: 2002. US Census Bureau, Sept. 2003) |
What solution
do you see to this problem?
Keever (D):
We must make sure that we provide adequate funding for programs such as
the Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid. We should also
help businesses provide affordable health care for their employees, by
giving tax credits for businesses who provide coverage and allowing small
businesses to pool purchasing power.
Taylor (R):
NR
| Immigration: New federal initiatives are being proposed to address the issue of immigration.Do you support or oppose the following strategies for addressing the issue of illegal immigrants entering the United States? |
(D) |
(R) |
| Secure our national borders |
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| Implement a temporary guest worker program |
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| Enforce existing immigration laws |
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| Stronger consequences for employers of illegal immigrant workers |
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Comment on the above immigration strategy you consider most important:
Keever (D): I want to learn more about this issue and I am eager to hear more about different perspectives and possible solutions. I am concerned about the safety and health of immigrant familes and also about protecting jobs for American workers.
Taylor (R): NR
Keever
(D): http://www.keeverforcongress.com/