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Blue Hampshire NH-02 Crowdsourced Candidate Questionaire

by: Mike Hoefer

Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 20:35:22 PM EDT
(Bumped again. Vote for your favorites questions below, Write a new one if yours is not covered already. We'll summarize and get them to the candidates after the Independence Day break. - promoted by Mike Hoefer)

With official announcements of candidacy starting to pop up around the state. We thought we'd try something here on Blue Hampshire to help drive the narrative and make sure the issues that are actually on people's minds get answered by the candidates.

In that spirit, please use this thread to post a question or two that you would like the candidates for NH-02 to answer. If you like a question and would like to see us include it vote it up by voting "4". Each question should be it's own comment to make this easier.

Once there is some consensus on questions we will officially forward them to each of the campaigns and FP their responses as they come in.

What's on your mind? What questions do the candidates need to answer before you check their name on Primary day?
Mike Hoefer :: Blue Hampshire NH-02 Crowdsourced Candidate Questionaire
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Blue Hampshire NH-02 Crowdsourced Candidate Questionaire | 62 comments
Do you support an inquiry by Congress or an independant commission (4.00 / 12)
 into the nature and origin of interrogation methods and to address the question of whether American or international laws were broken?

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  
Or a Special Prosecutor. (0.00 / 0)
And regardless of which of those options, would you ensure that prosecutions, where warranted, are not taken off the table?

--
New Hampshire's stimulus: a train to Boston.
Visit NHBTI.org to learn about the NH Capitol Corridor project.
[ Parent ]
I think that a special prosecutor is the likely outcome of an inquiry. (4.00 / 1)

But I think the facts have to be established first and I am a little uneasy with outsourcing the decision on whether to initiate a prosecution in the first instance in a matter of such importanceto a single prosecutor, who works in the dark as it were-- individual accountability is important, but to me, what is essential is that we, and history, above all know what has been done in our name.

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  
[ Parent ]
I agree, but... (4.00 / 1)
What I'm looking for is to establish that the rule of law applies to the executive branch, because without that, the abuses just keep escalating.  First we had Watergate, then we had Iran-Contra, then we had NSA wiretapping, the war in Iraq, indefinite detention, torture, etc., etc.  We need future administrations to know that there are things that they are not empowered to do, and just because they are capable of convincing their subordinates to do it doesn't make it okay.  The law matters, because without it, nothing else is guaranteed, least of which our rights; we've lost sight of that.  I'm not necessarily against a truth commission, but what bothers me is the idea of something where in the name of avoiding "pointing fingers" or a "witch hunt", we fail to live up to the standards we've tried to exemplify throughout our history.  No amnesty for abuse of power.

--
New Hampshire's stimulus: a train to Boston.
Visit NHBTI.org to learn about the NH Capitol Corridor project.
[ Parent ]
Darfur (4.00 / 3)
As a member of Congress, what will you do to end the disgraceful -- and long ignored -- genocide in Darfur, which has seen the murder of 400,000 men, women, and children during the past six years?
R2P (0.00 / 0)
Related to the Darfur question: Do you believe that the US has the "Responsibility To Protect?"

www.KusterforCongress.com  
[ Parent ]
Jack (0.00 / 0)
With all due respect, I think that question means very different things to different people.  We'll get clearer answers if we focus on a real-world situation -- whether Darfur or another relevant crisis.
[ Parent ]
Victims or International Law? (4.00 / 1)
I didn't mean to hijack your question because it is fine. I, however, am more concerned if the candidate has a clue about nuances. A pre-packaged crisis with a full head of  steam gets pre-packaged answers.

Let's see the candies dance with the Libs over sovereignty issues. That is a meaty question. I'd be bored watching the lineup trying to out progressive each other to the choir. I want to hear them tell us how they will convince the swing vote to embrace their ideals.

Poli-nerd questions for the poli-nerd forum?

www.KusterforCongress.com  

[ Parent ]
Healthcare (4.00 / 17)
What is your take on the healthcare debate? If universal coverage is achieved, will you be willing to keep pushing toward a single payer system?
sub question: are you committed to a real public option? (4.00 / 4)

It is of course part of a real answer to your question,but i think we should seek explicit answers on this point, as it is to me where those who are serious about health care are separated from those who are seeking to preserve the profits of the pharma/insurance complex.

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  
[ Parent ]
Or, to put it another way-- (4.00 / 2)
"What drawbacks do you see in Medicare and how can that program be expanded and improved?"
[ Parent ]
Do you support marriage equality (4.00 / 12)
on a federal level?
Wil you co-sponsor Uniting American Families Act? (4.00 / 1)
Will you help repeal DOMA and DADT?

Feeling hopeful since 2004...
[ Parent ]
Do you support (4.00 / 7)
a carbon tax?
Special Education Funding (4.00 / 15)
In 1975 Congress agreed to pay 40% of Special Education costs. Since then federal funding of Special Education has varied between 8% and 16%. This broken promise pushes 10 of millions of dollars (collected in a bizarre and inequitable manner here in NH) to the local property tax.

What specific steps would you take to insure the federal government lives up to it's decades old promise?

Hope > Fear



Create a free Blue Hampshire account and join the conversation.

I like this question because (4.00 / 1)
it's specific! I think these kinds of questions go to much of the work that any one representative can do in the Federal government, and should help to separate the candidates on style and effectiveness. In some ways the big progressive questions are easier: "Yes, I support a public option."
[ Parent ]
And it's important in NH (0.00 / 0)
because of our failed school funding system, our schools end up bankrupt because of the obligation (legitimate and necessary) to fund SPED services; and the increasing number of children qualifying for said services.  

Additionally I think this question is important because it was always a big push for Charlie Bass when he was in CD-2, so it's obviously an important issue for those (not just Democrats) who live in the District.

Feeling hopeful since 2004...

[ Parent ]
Two questions (4.00 / 15)
Do you support legislatively enforced network neutrality?

What steps have you taken to create an engaged, active network of New Hampshire-based supporters? Personal bio does not count; active political supporters for this run only.

IT for John Lynch '04 and NHDP '08 - I'm liking my track record so far!

Amen (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
What is your understanding of the No Child Left Behind act, (4.00 / 4)
and what, if anything, needs to be changed regarding that legislation.
Do you believe (4.00 / 2)
U.S. persons should be able to freely travel to any country which will allow them to enter?

Are there any circumstances where you believe a U.S. passport should be denied to a U.S. citizen?

"Whatever America hopes to bring to pass in the world must first come to pass in the heart of America." Dwight Eisenhower

Women Veterans (4.00 / 6)
Please identify the single biggest challenge confronting women veterans being cared for by the Veterans Administration and provide some sense of how you would approach a solution.

www.KusterforCongress.com  
What will you do to (4.00 / 11)
increase access to higher education? Before Ronald Reagan there was more federal grant money available. Tuition increases have outstripped the rate of inflation during this time as well. Young adults are graduating with mortgage sized debt. What will you do to correct this?
And, will you reform the Student Loan system (4.00 / 4)
to bring it inline with other consumer lending programs, increase opportunities for loan repayment/forgiveness, allow borrowers to refinance to take advantage of these historically low interest rates ?

Feeling hopeful since 2004...
[ Parent ]
Good One (4.00 / 1)
Charlie Bass's opposition to -- and mocking of -- federal student loans was a big issue in the 2002 race.  More on that if/when Charlie throws his hat in the ring. . . .  
[ Parent ]
More on Healthcare (4.00 / 3)
Do you think that the uninsured are at fault?

And if you correctly do not blame them, do you want to work for a Public Option that will offer affordable Health Insurance to working families and people as well as those below poverty levels?

Transportation (4.00 / 14)
Do you support passenger rail from Concord, NH to Boston, MA, and if so, what immediate and specific efforts would you undertake as a representative in Congress to advance this project?

President, NH Young Democrats
Shameless plug. (2.00 / 2)

New Hampshire Businesses for Transportation and Infrastructure

Click Here for the NHBTI Facebook group

--
New Hampshire's stimulus: a train to Boston.
Visit NHBTI.org to learn about the NH Capitol Corridor project.

[ Parent ]
What special concerns or needs does your District present? (4.00 / 5)
How does being from NH-02 give you a different agenda than if you were running from Pennsylvania or California?
LOL. (4.00 / 1)
What's the "Connecticut River Valley Agenda"?

(I'm laughing at my own joke, not the question, which is actually a really good one.)

[ Parent ]
Trade: What is your position on the Colombia and Panama Free Trade Agreements? (4.00 / 4)
It is time to re-think Global Trade. We all know about the 'race to the bottom' on trade. We need new rules on enforcement of existing agreements. As my friend Arnie Alpert says, why not a "race to the top" ?

www.KusterforCongress.com
Do you think there should be new State Procurement Rules ? (0.00 / 0)
Come to the Trade Commission meeting Monday July 6th in LOB 3 rd floor, and learn with us how bi-lateral agreements and trade treaties effect SONH purchasing. Things like Child Labor Laws, Slavery, and Environmental concerns will be discussed. We will be joined by a Speaker from the Forum on Democracy and Trade at Georgetown School of Law.

www.KusterforCongress.com
[ Parent ]
Thanks for Doing this Mike! (4.00 / 4)
What is the best approach to Afghanistan and Pakistan?  

No'm Sayn?
Congressional mandates. (4.00 / 1)
The Congress has mandated a Quadrennial Defense Review from the Pentagon.  What do you think the Congress should do with this assessment?  Do you think the U.S. should develop a new generation of nuclear weapons?
The Good the Bad and the hand me downs. (0.00 / 0)
Can you think of a way to place a floor beneath federal government programs so that their costs do not continue to be passed down and down only to end up on the plates of local communities. It seems that no amount of budget austerity at the local level can suffice when at the federal level are created all these wonderful programs and then after the plaudits are accumulated, local property taxes end up through the roof to pay for all the unforseen and unanticipated costs. If you are going to accept the credit, to be fair you should accept the tax consequences. I can't wait, for instance, to see what the National Guard bills will be like for all the equipment used up to support Iraq and Afghanistan. No Child Left Behind. If voters are going to be able to arrange that for which they are willing to pay, they must have those things tied to the taxes that fund them.
Nuclear Power (0.00 / 1)
What is your stand on Nuclear Power?  More closer to home, should the Seabrook second plant be built?
Not in 2nd CD (0.00 / 0)
Asking about views on nuclear power is perfectly appropriate. Tying the question to Seabrook, isn't.

www.KusterforCongress.com  
[ Parent ]
NIMBY anyone? (4.00 / 2)
Both questions are valid, first is a general industry question.  The second get's to the heart of the situation. NIMBY mentality is a huge problem in the US;

Kennedy has it for Cape Wind,

Rich property owners have it for Rails to Trails programs,

We need to think of the common good, not how it personally affects us as an individual.  The French produce 80% of thier electrical power from Nukes.  Nuclear Power is green, safe, reliable and provides it an excellent source of tax revenue.

Split atoms not wood.

[ Parent ]
Political Mores (4.00 / 1)
It's is customary in politics, when dealing with "topics of interest" that are in an abutting congressional district to, hmmmm...., STFU.

Especially if said abutting Representative is of the same political persuasion.

I support "smart nuclear energy," and I have no interest debating the matter.  

www.KusterforCongress.com  

[ Parent ]
Good Point, (4.00 / 1)
Tabled for now.
[ Parent ]
ha (0.00 / 0)
If it's green and safe, than you won't mind if we bury spent plutonium in your backyard, moderatejoe. In your little advertisement for the nuclear industry you failed to mention the issue of waste.

Tell you what, eliminate the Price Anderson Act, and I'll begin to reconsider nuclear power.  

[ Parent ]
The industry and plants are safe........ (4.00 / 3)
The Price Andeson Act isn't the problem.  The problem is that the US doesn't allow reprocessing of the spent fuel rods.  The French program is so successful because they reprocess.  This is a government restriction not an industry choice.  I would have thought that you knew that.
[ Parent ]
I'm not (0.00 / 0)
going to participate in the further derailing of this thread. You shouldn't either - since it's been your stock in trade since you appeared here.  
[ Parent ]
Countries Around France Do Better (0.00 / 0)
France is always the poster child for more nukes, but what they fail to tell you is that Germany the Netherlands, Denmark all do great with alternative energy, not nuclear behemoths!

The answer is not huge, taxpayer subsidized generating facilities but small, decentralized power. Kind of like political power, really.

Listen to Portside Tuesday June 30th for a discussion about Why Not Nukes Now, streaming at noon at wscafm.org.

And energy policy is a great test of the candidates.

No'm Sayn?

[ Parent ]
GOP on French nuclear plants (4.00 / 2)
I don't think I need to pull quotes to remind everyone how ridiculous it is to hear Republicans singing the praises of the French nuclear energy program while childishly and irresponsibly bashing France in every other respect.

--
New Hampshire's stimulus: a train to Boston.
Visit NHBTI.org to learn about the NH Capitol Corridor project.
[ Parent ]
I don't think that should be trolled (4.00 / 2)
It's just a question.
[ Parent ]
Error? (4.00 / 1)
The diarist uprated MoJo's follow up point, so that 0 is likley a boo-boo.

www.KusterforCongress.com  
[ Parent ]
Ah (0.00 / 0)
Good eye.
[ Parent ]
Do you feel that the US Attorney should disclose the nature of his (0.00 / 0)
investigation regarding the state Attorney General's Office, which has been ongoing since May of 2007?
What should the objectives of the public education system be in the 21st century? (4.00 / 7)
What skill sets and professions should be focused on by the public education system and career training?
city on the hill (4.00 / 4)
The US prides itself as a shining example of liberty. Please comment on that relative to indefinite detention and torture.  
Integrity in Goverment (4.00 / 3)
What would you support, or suggest, to minimize the influence of lobbyists and special interest monies in Congress?
Do you support the death penalty? (4.00 / 2)
I know, very unimaginative but it's interesting!

It's time we steer by the stars, and not the lights of every passing ship
Blue Hampshire NH-02 Crowdsourced Candidate Questionaire | 62 comments
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