1st Congressional District candidate survey: Bruce Braley
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By Bruce Braley | Saturday, November 04, 2006 |
John Schultz/Quad-City Times Bruce Braley, candidate for Iowa's 1st District Congressional seat meets voters at The Canticle in Clinton during a candidate forum in May.
Bruce Braley grew up in Brooklyn, Iowa, working odd jobs to help support his family after his father was seriously injured in a grain elevator accident. He earned a B.A. in political science from Iowa State University, then earned a law degree from the University of Iowa. He now lives in Waterloo, where he works for Dutton, Braun, Staack and Helman law firm. Braley is a former president of the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association.
Rock Island Arsenal
What contemporary role does the Rock Island Arsenal have in our nation’s defense? What role does the entire island have as a federal installation?
The Rock Island Arsenal is the largest government-owned weapons manufacturing arsenal in the western world, and houses the Department of Defense’s only general-purpose metal manufacturing complex. As such, it plays an important role in our nation’s defense — it is important that our military have the ability to manufacture the tools they need to defend our nation in case of a disruption in the normal supply chain. Furthermore, the Arsenal is beneficial to the entire local economy, providing jobs for the residents of the Quad-Cities. That is why I will work hard to maintain the existence of the Rock Island Arsenal as a military base for years to come.
Mississippi River locks
How necessary is expansion of the upper Mississippi River lock system?
Expanding and upgrading the Mississippi River lock and dam system is such an important project because the lock and dam system is essential to the agricultural economy of Iowa and other Midwestern states — farmers depend on the river to move their products to market. The current lock system is aging and will not last much longer without an overhaul. That is why in Congress I will support legislation that modernizes the locks of the upper Mississippi. Furthermore, the ecological importance of the Mississippi River necessitates an environmentally responsible approach to lock and dam construction. I intend to stand up for Iowa workers and Midwestern farmers in Washington by supporting such important economic development measures.
Education
Describe the impact of No Child Left Behind on schools in your district.NCLB has been a mess as it has impacted students in Iowa — it was under-funded to a tune of $70 million in Iowa alone. More appalling to me is the fact that the Title I early childhood reading program has been underfunded by $46 million. It is tragic that our committed, passionate local teachers are forced to follow the strict compliance measures of NCLB without the resources from the federal government that they were supposed to receive to do their jobs.
Do you support reauthorization of NCLB?I do not support reauthorization of NCLB unless dramatic changes are made. We need to fix No Child Left Behind, and then we need to fully fund it. I will support education legislation that eliminates unfunded mandates and corrects a flawed accountability system that measures students and schools solely on the basis of two test scores on a single day. We need to return our focus to the original purpose of NCLB — improving student achievement, closing the achievement gap, and improving teacher quality.
What role should national standards or a national curriculum play in improving the competitiveness of American public education?I support local control of public schools. This approach has worked well in Iowa.
Marriage
What should be the federal government’s role in regulating marriage?For over 200 years, the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has allowed each individual state to define and regulate marriage — and Iowa has clear laws on marriage. That should not change. I also believe that the Constitution should not be a vehicle to discriminate against a subgroup of American citizens.
Should America require public and private companies to extend benefits to participants in committed same-sex relationships?
The decision to require benefits be extended to participants in committed same-sex relationships should be left up to states.
Energy
How can America be less dependent on foreign energy? What can you do to make that happen?
America can be less dependent on foreign energy by increasing its investment in renewable energy like ethanol, biodiesel, and wind energy. Iowa has great economic potential in its rapidly-growing ethanol, biodiesel, and wind energy industries. In this way, agriculture can be as much a part of Iowa’s future as it has been its past. I have proposed a comprehensive plan to expand the production of renewable energy in Iowa to strengthen our state’s economy. I support extending tax credits to expand availability of E-85 fuel, requiring all federal fleet vehicles to be Flex-Fuel or alternative fuel vehicles, and requiring that all fuel sold in the United States contain 10 percent ethanol within 10 years.
Farm policy
Are federal subsidies for corn and soybeans viable in our international economy?
Farm subsidies for corn and soybeans are an important safety net to protect family farmers from fluctua-tions in the commodities market. They are viable in our international economy if they are not abused. Unfortunately, many corporate and plantation farms in the South have abused the subsidy safety net. We need to cut back on the abuse of these subsidy programs to ensure that family farmers are protected.
Immigration
Complete this sentence: Undocumented Mexican immigrants in America are...…a result of George Bush’s failure to control the border. The magnitude of this problem is great yet the willingness of the Bush administration to enforce the law is next to nothing. In 2004, out of 5.5 million employers in the U.S., only three were fined for breaking immigration law. Furthermore, the resistance of Congress to actually act to address the problem enormous — months after this concern was brought to the forefront, no Congressional action was taken.
How would you propose handling the undocumented immigrants of any nationality here and those who may follow?For one, the United States needs to secure its borders. This is a matter of national security. Next, ad-dressing the influx of undocumented immigrants means passing common sense solutions that address the root cause of the growing number of undocumented workers in America. That’s why it is time that Congress gets tough on corporations who are willing to break the law by exploiting cheap sources of foreign labor and displacing American workers. Since 2001, according to the General Accounting Office, a mere 318 employers out of the nearly 5.5 million in the U.S. were fined for hiring undocumented workers. Shockingly, in 2004, only three employers were fined. Because the federal government under George Bush has been unwilling to enforce existing laws, employers can take advantage of migrant workers who are desperate for employment and willing to work in unsafe conditions for less than a fair wage. While it is unrealistic to deport the 12 million or so undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S., any undocumented immigrant wishing to become a citizen must be penalized and fined in a way that appropriately reflects his or her breaking the law.
Social Security
Assess the need for reforming Social Security. What changes do you support?First and foremost, Social Security needs to be protected from the costly and risky George Bush privatization schemes that my opponent supports. Privatizing Social Security has tremendous up-front transitional costs that are estimated at up to $2 trillion. We cannot afford to add this cost to the federal deficit and pile this mountain of debt on the backs of our children and grandchildren. Furthermore, privatization puts guaranteed benefits at risk, and I won’t allow that to happen as a congressman. While there is the need for some tweaking in the Social Security program, I don’t believe that radically scrapping the entire system is the answer. Instead, I support a balanced Social Security plan that continues the program’s guaranteed benefits in the future. I am open to considering moderate changes in the system that are necessary to keep Social Security solvent for years to come.
Federal deficit
What are your thoughts on the proposed $250 million deficit President Bush hopes to leave at the end of his term?
It’s disgraceful.In the last six years, our national government has turned the largest surpluses in history into the largest deficits. Our Representatives in Washington have forgotten the value of a dollar and have bankrupted our country, running up the deficit to the point that our children and grandchildren will be saddled with our debts and obligations. It is time for a change in Washington because Republican ideas of “fiscal responsibility” aren’t so responsible after all.
What specific steps would you support to hasten its reduction?
First, it’s time to roll back the fiscally reckless Bush millionaire tax cuts for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans to reduce the deficit.We should instead focus on tax cuts that benefit middle class working families. Next, we need to end government subsidies and incentives given away to big oil companies. This costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year.
How important is it that Congress act to reduce the deficit during your first term?
Very important 1 2 3 4 5 not at all important
Israel and America’s leadership
Describe America's leadership responsibility for peace among Israel and its neighbors.The renewed fighting in the Middle East is a tragic turn of events, especially for innocent civilians whose lives are being put in danger. The re-emergence of this crisis is yet another sad demonstration of how the current administration's focus on the war in Iraq has diverted attention away from parts of the world that truly need it. The administration's failure to address this long-simmering conflict has emboldened Hezbollah and its allies Iran and Syria who realize that the U.S. is in a weak position to take on another conflict. A realistic settlement to this situation in the Middle East cannot be achieved without American participation. The U.S. should drive diplomatic efforts in order to achieve a resolution. We should deploy a high-level diplomat to the region to work with all sides and attempt to forge a lasting peace.
Describe America's leadership role in a 21st century world.America's leadership role in a 21st Century world is to be a shining example of how a democratic nation should conduct itself on the international level. The U.S. should again reach out to the international community and work with them in brokering international stability, and should refrain from "going it alone" in our foreign policy. We need to again work with our friends to promote lasting, meaningful resolutions to the situation between Israel and Palestine, in Iran, and in North Korea.
Nuclear proliferation
How should the U.S. respond to Iran’s desire to develop nuclear material?The U.S. should work with the international community to address Iran’s desire to develop nuclear material. Unfortunately, the current administration’s actions in Iraq have destabilized the region and have distracted our foreign policy attention while radical Islamists have risen to power in Iran. With our allies in the international community, we should make it clear that Iran’s intentions to develop nuclear weapons are unacceptable. Then, we should continue to work with the international community through diplomatic means to stop Iran’s destabilizing pursuit of nuclear materials.
Q: How should the U.S. respond to North Korea’s missile tests?The U.S. should work with the international community to address North Korea’s missile tests. Again, this is an example of how the current administration’s failed policy in Iraq has diverted attention away from the parts of the world that really need it.
Q: Does the U.S. need a consistent response to all nuclear threats?The U.S. should consistently make diplomacy its first step in dealing with nuclear threats. We should also take an aggressive approach to securing our borders and ports of entry and protecting the American people from nuclear terrorist threats. Unfortunately, the current administration has ignored port security and even wanted to turn over control of our too vulnerable ports to a company based in a country with ties to terrorist groups. I will not accept the nuclear policy of the Bush administration and will stand up to change our aimless foreign policy.
Q: How important is it that Congress act to curtail nuclear proliferation during your first term?Very important 1 2 3 4 5 not at all important
War in Iraq
How have your thoughts about the war in Iraq changed over the past year?
My concerns about the problems in Iraq have grown over the past year. Our troops have done everything we asked them to do, yet the “victory” promised by President Bush remains elusive. As long as the cur-rent administration continues to ignore the advice and recommendations of generals on the ground, as long as the current administration is willing to continue our involvement in Iraq without any sort of plan, and as long as we don’t let the Iraqis know we are serious about turning the fighting over to them by for-mulating an exit strategy, I am afraid Iraq will become more and more of a quagmire. All in all, I have realized that it is time to turn the fighting over to the Iraqis.
What outcome would you like to see for Iraq?
I would like to see Iraq become a thriving, independent country that can sustain its own security without depending on the United States military for protection.
What outcome would you like to see for America?
I want America to be safer. Unfortunately, the current administration and my opponent have been far too accepting of this outcome. It is time to set a responsible exit strategy for turning the fighting over to the Iraqis because our troops have done their job. I would also like to see America do a better job of reaching out to the international community in our foreign diplomacy. It is clear that the George Bush “Go It Alone” foreign policy has been a disaster for our national security as it has destabilized the Middle East by facilitating the rise of Iran.
Is a deadline for withdrawal helpful or hurtful in obtaining those outcomes?
A timeline for turning the fighting over to the Iraqis is helpful in obtaining these outcomes because let’s the Iraqis know that we are serious about turning the fighting over to them. Our continuing presence in Iraq has been a catalyst for continuing violence as militant Islamists have used the US occupation of Iraq as motivation to fuel their terrorist activities. At the very least, it is very clear that our policy in Iraq needs a change from the Bush stay-the-course approach.
How important is it that Congress act on your priorities for Iraq during your first term?Very important 1 2 3 4 5 not at all important
Personal insight
Here’s an experience I’ve had that I wish everyone could have: Watching fireworks in Boston on the 4th of July with the Boston Pops playing “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
The favorite DVD I own is... Band of Brothers. (The 2001 HBO miniseries based on the late historian Stephen Ambrose’s book about Army troops that parachuted into France on D-Day.)
The last CD I bought for myself: Bruce Springsteen’s, “Seeger Sessions.”
I've bought this book for friends: Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, by Taylor Branch.
I've always wanted to read: Take It Back, by Paul Begala and James Carville.
Here’s an experience I’ve had that I wish everyone could have: watching fireworks in Boston on the 4th of July with the Boston Pops playing “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
My best family vacation was… Camping and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Call me if you need help with... ...pouring a concrete sidewalk or driveway.
Here’s a musical instrument I’d love to learn how to play: Saxaphone.
The first car I purchased for myself was… a Chevrolet Nova.
Here is a celebrity who is a terrific role model: Oprah Winfrey
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