WALK WITH DAN
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I received the Questionnaire from the Chicago Tribune during January. Here are their questions and my answers. There was a 500 word limit for each question, so I have posted the entire answers here. One answer had to be shorten to fit their requirements.
Budget The federal government has more than $15 trillion in debt and it ran a $1.3 trillion budget deficit in 2011. Congress has not reached agreement on how to balance federal spending. What share of deficit reduction do you believe should come from spending cuts and what share from revenue increases? Specify what spending you want to cut and/or what revenues you want to increase. Should Congress rewrite the U.S. tax code? If so, what would your priorities be? Federal spending is out of
control. I will strongly support a move to cut the federal budget by 10% in
2013. Each and every department of the federal government should be cut 10%.
Every Cabinet Member should be required to cut their departments by 10%. The EPA
should be shut down and all employees sent home until they learn to follow the
desires of the Congress. They cannot make law and they cannot set their own
carbon standards. We only have to
go back 30 years to see that tax cuts spurs economic growth. With the Reagan tax
cuts, the economic growth went in a straight line up from 1985-2005. We should
cut the top rate to 28%, The middle rate should be 15% ($30,000-$100,000) and
the lowest rate should be 5% ($5,000 to $30,000). Corporate taxes should be
reduced, with more deductions going to manufacturers. We need to promote 'made
in America' and encourage more production here. Jobs Identify three specific actions you would support to foster private-sector job creation. CUT TAXES and work to
reduce the price of energy. I firmly believe that the oil prices can be forced
down if the real price of oil was known by the public at large. I will pursue
this line of thinking and conduct the research to confirm my theory. As an
example, I remember seeing the cost of a barrel of oil, to get it out of the
ground was $4.00 in Saudi Arabia. To get a barrel of oil in the North Sea was
$6.00 per. Now this shale rock oil may be more expensive, but not $30.00 to
40.00 but about $12.00 per barrel. Additionally, I will expose the price of
gasoline in Kuwait, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, etc. Just what is the real price of
oil and who is jacking up the prices. Cutting Taxes is key. I could say cut regulations, but that
would be too simple. There is a need for government, but at the lowest rate of
regulation just to keep everyone honest. Corruption in government does change
the equation. Remember greater regulation leads to more corruption. Just take a
look at the rest of the countries in this world. Foreign policy What role should the U.S. play in world affairs? In essence: Tell us your foreign policy Specifically, what should the U.S. mission be in Afghanistan? What actions should the U.S. take to halt Iran's nuclear program? How should the U.S. respond to China's emergence as a global economic power? We should never get
involved in a politically correct war again. The biggest mistakes to be learned
by being involved with Iraq and Afghanistan is that these people do not want to
join the 21st century. The minute we pull out, they will return to their tribal
ways. This is crazy. When we beat the Japanese, we changed their lifestyles,
their beliefs, their government. This was great for the Japanese people. After
we beat Germany, we made the common citizens do the clean-up. They had to
clean-up the concentration camps, remove the dead bodies. They had to rebuild
the buildings. But in the long run and it did take until about 1952 before most
of the resistance quieted down. You can see that this approach has made the
German people more civilized. We won the Korean war and the South Koreans are
much better off. But in Vietnam, we allowed the Democrats in Congress to lose
that conflict in 1975. We did not stand with our South Vietnam allies. NO MORE
POLITICALLY CORRECT WARS. I mailed a letter to
President Bush in 2004 stating that Iraq needed land reform. Make the people of
Iraq land-owners and they will be better citizens, not so crazy. I advised
President Bush to build a railroad in Afghanistan with private-public funding.
Bring those people up to at least the 20th century. Get American products into
their hands. What ever it takes, Iran
should not have nuclear weapons... NEVER forget, China is
still a communist country. There is no freedom, no human rights, no religious
liberty. They will lie, cheat and deceive to get their way. Just ask any
businessman who has dealt with the Chinese. Are they our mortal enemy? Maybe
not, but they cannot be trusted. Remember they are communists. Education What role should the federal government play in public education? Do you favor or oppose the Obama administration's Race To The Top program? How can public school systems enhance the accountability of educators and provide more education options for students? Tell us your priorities for American education. This department was
created in 1979 by President Carter. Please have someone tell me the great
progress this Department has created? Race to the Top,
No Child Left Behind? Quite frankly, get the federal government out of
the education business. It is an utter waste of money. Let the parents, local
school boards and teachers take care of the education in the local areas. And
end the federal government control over the student loan program. The
private-public arrangement we had before this President's involvement was
working fine. But I will investigate the 'criminal action' in the State of
Illinois. Over the last 10 years, the U of I Trustees raised the tuition an
average of 8% per year. The average yearly tuition in the Illinois University
system is now over $9000.00 per year. This is insane, when you consider that the
average inflation rate over the last 10 years has been 2%. Just who is watching
the chicken-coop? Just where was State Senator Obama when these increases
occurred? Where was Cook County Board Member Quigley? Were they both asleep? Two
empty suits, paying no attention. Immigration How should the U.S. government
reform its immigration system, and how should it treat the 12 million immigrants
who are here illegally? Please be specific We are all
immigrants. And we cannot compare the flood of immigrants from the 19th
and 20th centuries to the situation now. This country was wide open
and there was room for all. But even in the early days of immigration, newcomers
still had to registrar with the government. The British welcomed immigrants and
granted land grants. It was the way for them to settle the growing colonies.
After our Independence, immigration was controlled from Europe. Immigration from
the southern border was not controlled, but not many people traveled through the
various southwestern deserts or tackled the Rockies. The majority of the
immigrants in the early history of the USA were looking for freedom and the
possibility to improve their lives. There were no hand-outs from the states or
U.S. Government. There were land grants again, but no guarantees. Immigration
regulations came into being during the latter part of the 19th
century and the beginning of the 20th century. Everyone was required
to have some money and some contact with an American. Health inspections were
also part of the immigration process. Laws were passed to regulate immigration.
Immigrants were not allowed to be a burden on society. I had a long discussion
with my grandmother about her coming to the USA, so I have an intimate knowledge
and understanding. Now, let’s fast forward
to 2012 America. We have a flood of immigration from Central America including
Mexico Yes, they want to work and improve their lives, but sadly, a good number
of these immigrants believe they have a right to come to the USA, that they have
a claim to a good portion of this country. They are not interested in becoming
Americans. They want to keep their identity. Some of these immigrants want to
take back parts of the USA. I believe this is wrong and not in our interest. We
also have thousands more from Europe, Asia and Africa that come on visas and
just stay. I look at the
two-fold problem with the current situation. First, by fleeing their failed
countries, no improvement can be made in those countries. I have yet to hear
from any of these immigrants that they want to go back and improve their own
governments, that they want to improve the lives of their own families and their
neighbors. They have never said, that they now have seen how a great country is
governed, and they want to return home and change the bad conditions in their
home country. I may be the only
candidate for the U.S. Congress that has begun to investigate the problems in
Mexico. I have had a long conversation with a businessman who spent a good
number of years in Mexico. He has given me insights that I cannot receive from
an average Mexican. The entire Central American region suffers from these same
problems. We need to export the U.S. Constitution and our ideal of a free,
democratic-republic form of government. Yes, they have elections in Central
America, but they are still living with third-world ideals. Secondly, by allowing
people to overstay their visas or just walk across the border, we have created
an underworld economy that is hurting the average American. Take a look at the
building trades in Chicagoland. Who is fixing the roofs in our neighborhoods,
who is competing for the professional painting jobs and who is taking the
thousands of factory jobs? An average American is competing with people who will
work for less, driving down the value of labor. When you drive around the south
and west sides of Chicago, you will see young men that may never have a job,
young men who spend their entire day trying to game the system. I am willing to expand the
guest worker programs, increase the number of immigrants from each and every
country in the world, but I do not support open borders. We need to establish an
orderly system for immigration, but those that are here illegally, must return
to their own countries. Maybe we need to print the U.S. Constitution in hundreds
of languages and give one to every immigrant as they return to their home
country. If we could get every country in the world to accept our constitution,
join the 21st century and begin to treat their citizens respectfully,
the world would be a better place and we would not have this immigration
problem. Medicare/Medicaid By 2020, Medicare and Medicaid costs could account for one-fourth of federal spending. Medicare's largest trust fund will be insolvent in 2024. How should these programs be restructured to control costs? Do you support the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which is supposed to have broad powers to cut Medicare spending if Congress fails to do so? This is a pretty dumb
question if we allow ObamaCare to continue. It is the responsibility of the next
Congress to kill ObamaCare. The current Congressman in the 5th District voted to
steal 500 billion dollars from Medicare. If they can get away with this, where
is the end......President Obama is not interested in saving Medicare, or
Medicaid. Read his books, listen to his close advisers, listen to
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. She has stated that there should be NO
insurance companies involved in health care in this country. Did you miss that
speech? I didn't. OBAMACARE is EVIL. ObmaCare will lead to government run health
care. Now, you have to ask yourself, just what do you own? Do you own your life?
Are you responsible for your health? Just who do you think in this or any
government has your best interest at heart? Please do not kid yourself. Do you
think that some bureaucrat that worked for the tollway last year, or worked in
the Secretary of State’s office six months ago, really cares about your
health? Do you honestly think some federal bureaucrat really cares? OBAMACARE is
madness.... Social Security In 2010, Social Security began to pay out more in benefits than it collects in revenues. Social Security faces insolvency in 2036. Do you support extension of a cut in payroll taxes, which provides money for Social Security? How would you change revenues or benefits to keep the system financial solvent? Specifically, would you raise the Social Security payroll tax on employers and employees? Would you raise the retirement age? Would you change the benefit formula? Please explain. If you listened to
the State of the Union speech last night, our President wants to extend the cut
in the Social Security for another year. THIS IS MADNESS. If you want to cut
taxes and put more money in people’s pockets, cut the income tax. What do you
think? Do you think that President Obama is trying to destroy Social Security as
we know it? I am part of the generation that will not collect Social Security
until the age of 67. I agree with these age increases. People are living longer
and enjoying better health. So I agree with raising the age limits to save
Social Security. Both President Obama and Congressman Mike Quigley need to be
send packing before they queer this deal called the "United States of
America" Let me add, please stop
using the term payroll taxes. There are a number of taxes that are deducted from
a person’s paycheck: Federal taxes, State taxes, Social Security taxes and
Medicare taxes. Those that use the term ‘payroll taxes’ are trying to
deceive the public. Health care Do you favor repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which President Obama signed into law in 2010? What changes, if any, would you support in the health care law? Let me state this
again. There is only one thing that you own. It is your life. Now, you may be
responsible for the life and health of your children under the age of 18, but
that's about it. You are responsible for your life and your health. The reason
there is health insurance in the first place is to pool your money and other
people's money. This pooled money is there to pay for health care. You know,
just like auto insurance, you are responsible for your car, and the action of
your car. So, you pool your money with others and when there is an accident,
there is money to pay the claims. With health care it is the same system, when
you need an operation, there is money from the pool to pay the expenses. Over
the years, people began to expect more from their health care, so the price for
this insurance went up. This includes prescriptions, doctor visits, etc. Now you add the government into the mix and thing begin to
get screwed up. The government requires hospitals to provide health care to
everyone. This may be the number one reason that the price of health care is so
high, by requiring service without any guarantee for payment. Then you add on
the number of law-suits that are filed against doctors and health providers and
the equation is totally off balance. First let me state, I do not believe either
President Obama or Congressman Quilgey could explain this situation this simply.
This so-called ‘Affordable Care Act’ is evil, this act is has changed the
equation completely. It will lead to national health care, and I am opposed to
national health care. I am for stepping back and working on a solution to the
problems related to health care, but not this monster of a bill. You have to
look at how this act first steals 500 billion dollars from Medicare, from us the
payees. Add on 2000 pages of pure insanity, and all I can say is that this is
evil. YOU OWN YOUR LIFE and neither the government nor their agents really give
a damn about your life. Energy What are your priorities for U.S. energy production and conservation? How can the U.S. reduce its reliance on foreign oil? Do you favor or oppose expanded domestic drilling for oil, shale oil and natural gas? Should Washington subsidize production of ethanol for fuel? We have plenty of
energy right here in America. Did you know, that right here in the State of
Illinois, there is enough coal to provide electricity for the entire United
States for 300 years. Just think about that, all the demands for today, and all
of the demands for the next 300 years, right here in Illinois. If you just
consider that fact, it would be worthwhile to develop clean burning coal, and
yes it can be done. There is a demo plant in southern Illinois that is working
on solving that problem, but the funding comes and then it goes. Should the
federal government be involved in this research?
Yes, when you consider the madness in the rest of the world, energy is a
national priority. I believe we do not need a Department of Energy. We just need
energy independence. Congress should charge itself to develop the 'national
energy policy'. We should open Yucca Mountain immediately. One of the first
things that President Obama did was shut down Yucca Mountain with the help of
Senator Reid. This proved to me that this President is not interested in 'energy
independence'. This is one of his 'big lies'. I understand how things work. I
understand how steam is used to turn turbines. I believe that using coal or
nuclear reaction to make steam and turn turbines is the most efficient way to
make electricity. We should not be burning oil or natural gas to make
electricity. This President and President Clinton have used this idea of
national monuments to shut down hundreds of thousands of square miles of
potential energy sources. We may have hundreds of times more oil in our own
shale rock than there is in Canada. But this administration and Clinton's
stopped any development of these lands. Yes, we can develop our own shale oil,
and we can develop methods that will be clean, we can develop ways to restore
these lands just as we have replanted our forests over the last 100 years.
America still leads the world in our demands for a clean environment We are the
cleanest of any of the large countries in this world. No, we should not subsidize
Ethanol. Again I know something about this subject. In stock car racing, most
cars use ethanol because it burns cooler than gasoline, but ethanol burns at
twice the rate of gasoline. So, when there is a 100 lap race, these racers will
change over to gasoline, because they just can't make that many pit-stops and
expect to win a race. (I should add, this applies to local racing and this
answer should not be confused with the conditions in NASCAR or CART racing). We
should not be burning food for energy. About you Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us. My life is very much out
there in the public. I have produced 1156 weekly television shows. I have been
very fortunate to be able to drive across this country many times over the last
20 years. In fact, I have bragged that for 10 years running, I have had my toe
or I have swum in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. I have driven over
600,000 miles over the last 15 years, so I do know something about our
Interstate highway system. I know that Ronald Reagan raised the federal highway
tax from 5 cents to 10 cents to help rebuild the roads and bridges. Then
President Clinton raised the gasoline gas another 5 cents and put that money in
the general fund. Along comes this President, President Obama, and he thinks
that federal government should control and dictate from Washington DC what and
when highways should be fixed. A good example is the I-290 bridge over the
Chicago River. This project is now going on three years to resurface these two
bridges. Take a walk over there and see what I mean. Yes, this is the bridge
that is just east of the Main Post Office. They built this bridge, brand new in
less than a year I believe in 1955. If you want an example of the failure of
President Obama and the Democratic machine in Chicago, this unfinished bridge is
a good example of this failure. I will also investigate the millions of dollars
that have been wasted putting up walls on I-55 near U.S. 30 in the Joliet
region. Plus, someone should look at the contracts that have been issued around
Bloomington, Illinois. For the last 30 years, some contractor has been working
on that 1-55 and I-74 loop. Don't they know how to fix a highway that will work
for more than a year? Just who is stealing the federal money. I will also look
into the increase in tolls on the Illinois Tollway. A good number of miles of
Illinois Tollway system runs through the 5th Congressional District.
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