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Welcome to the Voter Guide Candidates - Click party name below to go to candidates affiliated with the party, or scroll down to see all candidates, in alphabetical order by party, then last name. NR,
indicating No Response to a particular question, will appear until a response
is received.
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QUALIFICATIONS |
1. What are your strongest qualifications for this position?
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
As a small business owner, my strongest qualifications include budget management, negotiations, knowledge of small business concerns, and the ability to think critically. In my experiences, I have met hundreds of small business owners like myself who have concerns about free trade, health care and energy dependence. I will use my skills to promote changes to better our country. |
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
I bring a fresh perspective and a commitment to the position of US Senator. I have spent my life building, running, and advising businesses of all sizes. I'm a problem solver who understands markets: when they work and when they don't. I have the background and experience to usher in a new era of leadership in DC. |
As a candidate, I'm not a lawyer or a banker. I am a self-employed doctor who has spent my working career making decisions that are not based on my own self-interest rather based on the best interests of my patients. I have not placed money or politics as the measure of success. My practice has been a small business, which I have run successfully despite the hardships small businesses face. |
My former public service in Legal Services for 23 years and the Public Defender's Office for 5 years (Note: My wife served as an Assistant DA for 6.5 years.), particularly my 17 years as CEO, provides the judgment and experience to be effective in formulating answers in these turbulent economic times. Further, my special, proven ability to gain the trust of my colleagues, assume a leadership ... |
IRAQ WAR The War in Iraq continues to be a source of grave concern and controversy throughout the US. |
2. What position would you urge Congress to take on the US presence in Iraq?
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
I would urge Congress to continue to train the Iraqis in self-governance, while supporting a phased withdrawal plan. I also feel we still have a responsibility to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice. |
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
Get out of Iraq. Now. It’s time to bring our troops home to rejoin their families and be a part of their communities again. We have a duty to them to ensure they receive the medical care, education and career opportunities they have earned by putting their lives at risk for us. |
I would encourage Congress to urge the President for an orderly and soon-as-possible withdrawal, especially of reservist troops. |
The U.S. should withdraw from Iraq, prudently and expeditiously. We cannot afford it in human or monetary treasure. As long as we stay, the slower the Iraqis will be to accept responsibility for the maintenance of law and order, political and religious reconciliation and the equitable distribution of oil revenue. |
HEALTH CARE Rising costs of health care now equal 16% of our national economy and increasing numbers of Americans—now almost one in six—are without health insurance. While the US spends more per person on health care than any other country, it ranks 37th in the world, based on life expectancy and infant mortality. Our employer-based health insurance system is not working for large numbers of Americans. |
3. Would you support a federal plan for universal health insurance coverage?(Support/Oppose)
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
Support |
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
Support |
Support |
Support |
4. How would you address the growing problems of access to affordable, high quality health care in the US?
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
I support universal healthcare based on a percentage of one's income, with a cap on what a person pays annually. This will make healthcare affordable to all. We could save $700 billion a year by simply adopting a European style healthcare plan. We should take the best plans from the most successfully run healthcare plans and create a system that works for all of us. |
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
Expand Medicare Health Care coverage for Every Man, Woman, and Child and use technology and preventive medicine, rather than reactive medicine, to drive down costs and improve outcomes. |
I propose a combination of government subsidized health care to allow access to the health care system for all residents of the United States and restoring some level of a free market economy to help lower medical fees. Insurance companies would be the intermediate step as an option.
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Please refer to the live interview on my website |
5. What is your position on the bipartisan proposal to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that was vetoed by the President? (Support/Oppose)
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
Support |
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
Support |
Support |
NR |
6. Please comment on your response:
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
I feel that healthcare is essential for children to grow and become productive citizens. My concern with SCHIP is that costs could spiral out of control like they did with Medicare part D, when congress failed to insert the ability to negotiate prescription drug prices. My first choice is universal healthcare. SCHIP is a second option if universal healthcare legislation can't be passed.
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| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
Senator Dole voted to uphold the veto and deny 130,000 children in North Carolina health care. That is just plain wrong. We need new leadership that puts kids before special interests. We deserve better. Our children deserve better. |
SCHIP is a good alternative to Medicaid for children. Luckily, most children are healthy and require few medical services. The veto of this bill by Bush will ultimately inspire more developed health care plans in the future. Bush claimed that this was a step towards socialized medicine; however, his failure to agree will only lead to larger and more inclusive health care reforms in the future.
|
Please refer to the live interview on my website |
ENVIRONMENT-CLIMATE CHANGE & POLLUTION The world is putting about 3 billion tons of carbon emissions from fossil fuels into the atmosphere each year, up nearly 500% from 1950. The consensus of scientific opinion is that this has contributed to global warming and increasing climate extremes. The changes are raising ocean levels which could make many of the world’s largest cities uninhabitable and dramatically reduce the world’s agricultural land. Two ideas currently being discussed in Congress to reduce CO2 emissions are a “carbon tax” and a “cap and trade” system. |
7. Do you support a “carbon tax”, which is a federal tax on the carbon content of fuels? (Support/Oppose)
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
Support |
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
Oppose |
Support |
Support |
8. Do you support a “cap and trade” system which (a) sets a declining limit - “cap” - on the amount of carbon emissions permitted and (b) allows businesses to buy and sell - “trade”- unused emission allotments? (Support/Oppose)
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
Support |
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
Support |
Support |
Support |
9. Please comment on your responses:
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
I support a cap and trade system, but we need achieve more with a 5 year $308 billion plan that will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90% and make our country energy independent. This can be achieved by using waste CO2 from power plants and algae in a closed loop photo bio reactor. While the cost is expensive, this program is less expensive than the cost we have spent on the war.
|
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
We need a new Apollo Program for clean, renewable energy, in which science, industry and government would cooperate to make America the global leader in green technology and renewable energy. We need to drastically reduce our dependance on foreign energy sources and fossil fuels. We can protect the environment, create lasting, sustainable American jobs, and strengthen our national security. |
These may help, but I would encourage low level taxes and fees until we see how these systems work. I would also like the revenue from these fees to be directed toward development of alternative energy. |
It affords some industries an avenue to plan their path to total compliance |
IMMIGRATION Congress has not passed a comprehensive immigration bill. The administration has begun to enforce some existing laws more strictly. Local governments have passed a variety of ordinances related to immigration, even though the Supreme Court has ruled the federal government has sole authority over immigration |
10. List the components you think are needed in a comprehensive federal bill:
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
I feel we need to strengthen border security by finishing the border fence, fund and staff our border patrols, and enforce the existing laws. I feel that employers should be held responsible for hiring illegal immagrants. |
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
Secure our borders, not only our physical border, but our ports of entry. I do not support amnesty, or a cut in line ahead of those who have followed our laws. We must provide these illegal immigrants a path to legal citizenship or documented status, because we can't ship 12 million people home. |
Identification, closing of porous borders, adequate opportunity for immigrants to obtain the proper passport or visas; also limited-time work permits. |
Please refer to the live interview on my website |
11. In the absence of a comprehensive federal bill, what specific changes in immigration policy would you support?
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
I support enforcing the existing laws I would not add any specific changes at this time |
.
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| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
We need real technology to track who is coming and who is leaving. Many of the illegal immigrants, or undocumented individuals in this country came here legally and overstayed their visas. We can’t really expect to gather up 12 million people and ship them back to their homelands, nor should we. We shouldn't punish businesses for hiring illegal immigrants because of government's mistakes. |
The same as # 10. |
Please refer to the live interview on my website |
SOCIAL SECURITY-REFORMS The most recent report from the trustees of the Social Security System indicates that the System can fund all scheduled benefits through the year 2040. Nonetheless, trustees believe that Social Security needs strengthening to avoid an eventual shortfall in guaranteed benefit pay outs. |
12. Check each of the following reforms for Social Security which you support:
Hagan (D) |
Lassiter (D)
|
Neal (D) |
Staley (D) |
Williams (D) |
|
Raise the cap on earnings which are taxed |
NR |
Support |
Support |
Support |
|
Raise the payroll tax rate to increase contributions |
NR |
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| Further raise the retirement age |
NR |
||||
Adjust the cost-of-living index to reflect the inflation rates most affecting retirees |
NR |
Support |
Support
|
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| Invest part of the Social Security Trust in stocks/securities rather than government bonds | NR |
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Preserve a limited estate tax and dedicate it to Social Security |
NR |
Support |
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Increase taxation of Social Security benefits |
NR |
||||
Reduce benefits for future retirees |
NR |
SOCIAL SECURITY-PRIVATIZATION In December 2001 a Presidential Commission presented three models for modifying the current Social Security System. All of these plans focus on redirecting funds from Social Security into private investment accounts
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13. Do you support replacing Social Security with private investment accounts?
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
Oppose |
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
Oppose |
Oppose |
14. Please comment on your response.
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
I feel we already have private investment accounts. They're called 401Ks. Sometimes you make good decisions and win in the market, sometimes you lose. What do you fall back on when you lose? Social Security. In order to save Social Security, we must raise the earnings which are taxed and adjust the cost-of-living index, especially for low income retirees. |
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
We must protect Social Security from privatization schemes that would turn your Social Security check over to the same sort of folks that created the sub-prime mortgage crisis.Over the past two decades, it has become commonplace for corporations to cut back and default on pension obligations, and Americans are left in limbo during a period of increased job insecurity. |
Social Security was designed to be just that, security for our society as a whole. It was never meant to be individual security.
|
Some limited experimentation, with risks fully explained, could be attempted |
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM Current financing of political campaigns contributes to voter apathy, raises questions about the role of special interests, requires that lawmakers spend much of their time on fund-raising, and discourages those without considerable financial resources from seeking public office. Proposed Senate and the House legislation would provide public campaign funds to candidates who meet specific qualifications, including agreement to restrict receipt of private campaign money. The Senate Fair Elections Now Act of 2007 (S.1285) and the House Clean Money, Clean Elections Act of 2007 (H.R. 1614) provide free access to broadcast media for qualifying candidates; stop incumbents from mailing campaign literature at taxpayer expense; and accomplish other reforms for more fair and clean elections.
|
15. Do you support these legislative efforts for election/campaign finance reform? (Support/Oppose)
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
Support |
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
Support |
Support |
Support |
16. Please comment on your response:
| Hagan (D) | Lassiter (D) | |
NR |
We currently have the best congress money can buy. All campaigns should be publicly funded, otherwise we will continue to elect candidates who are bought and paid for by special interests. That also includes multinational corporations, who are controlled by foreign interests. The real question here is do we want foreigners controlling us or should we govern ourselves?
|
| Neal (D) | Staley (D) | Williams (D) |
The U.S. election system is failing our democracy. Not only are the usual corrupting factors of money and corporate lobbying as rampant as perhaps at any time in U.S. history. I support public financing. I support paper ballots. And I pledge, when elected, to set the standard by never accepting more than $250 from anyone. It starts by setting an example. |
It depends on what the specific qualifications are. Elections should be open to challengers -- not based on how much money they have already raised. |
Capping expenditures and establishing media guidelines regarding minmal parity of coverage could be proposed. |
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QUALIFICATIONS |
1. What are your strongest qualifications for this position?
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
IRAQ WAR The War in Iraq continues to be a source of grave concern and controversy throughout the US. |
2. What position would you urge Congress to take on the US presence in Iraq?
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
HEALTH CARE Rising costs of health care now equal 16% of our national economy and increasing numbers of Americans—now almost one in six—are without health insurance. While the US spends more per person on health care than any other country, it ranks 37th in the world, based on life expectancy and infant mortality. Our employer-based health insurance system is not working for large numbers of Americans. |
3. Would you support a federal plan for universal health insurance coverage?(Support/Oppose)
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
4. How would you address the growing problems of access to affordable, high quality health care in the US?
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
5. What is your position on the bipartisan proposal to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that was vetoed by the President? (Support/Oppose)
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
6. Please comment on your response:
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
ENVIRONMENT-CLIMATE CHANGE & POLLUTION The world is putting about 3 billion tons of carbon emissions from fossil fuels into the atmosphere each year, up nearly 500% from 1950. The consensus of scientific opinion is that this has contributed to global warming and increasing climate extremes. The changes are raising ocean levels which could make many of the world’s largest cities uninhabitable and dramatically reduce the world’s agricultural land. Two ideas currently being discussed in Congress to reduce CO2 emissions are a “carbon tax” and a “cap and trade” system. |
7. Do you support a “carbon tax”, which is a federal tax on the carbon content of fuels? (Support/Oppose)
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
8. Do you support a “cap and trade” system which (a) sets a declining limit - “cap” - on the amount of carbon emissions permitted and (b) allows businesses to buy and sell - “trade”- unused emission allotments? (Support/Oppose)
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
9. Please comment on your responses:
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
IMMIGRATION Congress has not passed a comprehensive immigration bill. The administration has begun to enforce some existing laws more strictly. Local governments have passed a variety of ordinances related to immigration, even though the Supreme Court has ruled the federal government has sole authority over immigration |
10. List the components you think are needed in a comprehensive federal bill:
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
11. In the absence of a comprehensive federal bill, what specific changes in immigration policy would you support?
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
SOCIAL SECURITY-REFORMS The most recent report from the trustees of the Social Security System indicates that the System can fund all scheduled benefits through the year 2040. Nonetheless, trustees believe that Social Security needs strengthening to avoid an eventual shortfall in guaranteed benefit pay outs. |
12. Check each of the following reforms for Social Security which you support:
Di Lauro (R) |
Dole (R) |
|
Raise the cap on earnings which are taxed |
NR |
NR |
Raise the payroll tax rate to increase contributions |
NR |
NR |
| Further raise the retirement age |
NR |
NR |
Adjust the cost-of-living index to reflect the inflation rates most affecting retirees |
NR |
NR |
| Invest part of the Social Security Trust in stocks/securities rather than government bonds | NR |
NR |
Preserve a limited estate tax and dedicate it to Social Security |
NR |
NR |
Increase taxation of Social Security benefits |
NR |
NR |
Reduce benefits for future retirees |
NR |
NR |
SOCIAL SECURITY-PRIVATIZATION In December 2001 a Presidential Commission presented three models for modifying the current Social Security System. All of these plans focus on redirecting funds from Social Security into private investment accounts
|
13. Do you support replacing Social Security with private investment accounts?
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
14. Please comment on your response.
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM Current financing of political campaigns contributes to voter apathy, raises questions about the role of special interests, requires that lawmakers spend much of their time on fund-raising, and discourages those without considerable financial resources from seeking public office. Proposed Senate and the House legislation would provide public campaign funds to candidates who meet specific qualifications, including agreement to restrict receipt of private campaign money. The Senate Fair Elections Now Act of 2007 (S.1285) and the House Clean Money, Clean Elections Act of 2007 (H.R. 1614) provide free access to broadcast media for qualifying candidates; stop incumbents from mailing campaign literature at taxpayer expense; and accomplish other reforms for more fair and clean elections.
|
15. Do you support these legislative efforts for election/campaign finance reform? (Support/Oppose)
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
16. Please comment on your response:
| Di Lauro (R) | Dole (R) |
NR |
NR |
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