17th Congressional District candidate survey: Andrea Zinga

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By Andrea Zinga | Saturday, November 04, 2006 |

Kevin S. Schmidt/Quad-City Times 17th Congressional District candidate Andrea Zinga talks to local media after her primary election victory, March 23, 2006.

Andrea Zinga was widely known as a television reporter and anchor for WQAD, Moline and KWQC Davenport in the 1980s and 1990s. She left the Quad-Cities for a time to live in Atlanta and anchor newscasts for CNN. She holds a teaching degree from Western Illinois University and an M.S. from University of Illinois. She is married, with three adult step-children and five step-grandchildren.

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 Arsenal plays a critical role in our nation’s defense. It plays a unique role, in that it is one of the very few places where real battlefield hardware and engineering problems can be examined, field-tested and corrected. Having that engineering and forge capability at the Arsenal has saved lives on the battlefield. It played a critical role in retro-fitting vehicles with heavier army early on in the Iraq War. There was no facility in the country that could do that as well and quickly as the Arsenal. It is vital to our national defense and I will vigorously support full funding for the Arsenal.

Mississippi River locks

How necessary is expansion of the upper Mississippi River lock system?

Again, this is an area that is vital to our farmers and our economy — and I led the way on it two years ago. I not only support the expansion and modernization of the locks, but want it done in about half the time currently proposed. Other nations such as Brazil and China have embarked on vigorous infrastructure improvement programs to bolster their long-term competitiveness. I believe American workers and farmers are the most productive in the world — and that we in government have an obligation to give them the tools they need to compete effectively. This is one of those tools and I will work vigorously to get it done.Education

Education

Describe the impact of No Child Left Behind on schools in your district.

Do you support reauthorization of NCLB?

What role should national standards or a national curriculum play in improving the competitiveness of American public education?

I believe No Child Left Behind was a good start, but it has been largely an unfunded mandate. If it is to continue, then the federal government must fully fund it or allow states to opt out.

Marriage

What should be the federal government’s role in regulating marriage?I support traditional marriage. The larger question is about reining in activist judges. When judges decide to legislate from the bench matters that should be left to the whole people, I believe Congress should step in and withdraw jurisdiction. I do not believe the government should be making rules about what benefits packages private companies should or should not offer.

Should America require public and private companies to extend benefits to participants in committed same-sex relationships?

Energy

How can America be less dependent on foreign energy? What can you do to make that happen?

One of the first things I would do in Congress is to eliminate the 16 regional environmental standards for gasoline and replace them with one tough national standard. We can end a lot of spot shortages AND improve our environment by so doing. I would consider using abandoned coastal military bases as sites for new refineries. I would support safe drilling in ANWR and along our coasts.

I support technologies for coal liquification. I support development of alternative fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel. We must, this time, offer a combination of short- and long-term approaches to permanently solve this problem, One of my priorities would be to establish America’s energy independence within 10 years. One thing I would not do is return to the failed policies of the past, enacting heavy taxes on oil and establishing price controls.

Farm Policy

Are federal subsidies for corn and soybeans viable in our international economy?

I think current subsidies are about right. I would like to see them reduced as we reduce foreign trade barriers. Right now our farmers are often forced to compete in heavily subsidized foreign markets.

Immigration

Complete this sentence: Undocumented Mexican immigrants in America are...We must first secure our borders. That is a matter of national security. I would crack down on illegal immigration, but would work to streamline processes and allow for increased legal immigration. I believe America is and should remain a beacon of hope throughout the world, and thus believe in liberal immigration policies. But it must be done legally. I would require that anyone who wishes to settle here must learn English.

How would you propose handling the undocumented immigrants of any nationality here and those who may follow?

Social Security

Assess the need for reforming Social Security. What changes do you support?

We have to make Social Security solvent. I think in some cases, we have broadened its mission (the abuses of what is called ‘crazy’ money in some parts of the country). We should not use it to fund other perhaps good programs that are, notwithstanding, not part of Social Security’s mission. I support allowing a portion of withholdings to be dedicated to private accounts that government can’t touch. Social Security must be made much more like a savings/insurance program and much less like a Ponzi Scheme if we are serious about keeping it solvent and enjoying its benefits.

The federal deficit

What are your thoughts on the proposed $250 million deficit President Bush hopes to leave at the end of his term?

What specific steps would you support to hasten its reduction?

Two things work to reduce deficits effectively; control spending and grow the economy. I think the President and Congress have worked well on the latter priority, particularly given the economic dislocations that have occurred these last six years by both man-made and natural disasters. I think we have lost sight of our priorities on the former. We spend too much. There should be a committee like that headed by Sen. Harry Truman during WWII examining government programs for waste. With the exception of Social Security, we should means-test entitlement programs. We should regularly review and sunset programs, some which have become outdated, others which have fulfilled their mission.

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 American leadership

Describe America’s leadership responsibility for peace between Israel and its neighbors.I believe we bear great responsibility. Wherever we can play a role in brokering peace or enforcing it there, I believe we should. But I am unshakably committed to our alliance with Israel. I do wish the media were more responsible in recognizing who is the aggressor in the various skirmishes that erupt in the region. Very simply, if Israel's enemies suddenly and magically lost the power to make war, there would be peace; if Israel lost that power, she would be destroyed.

Describe America’s leadership role in a 21st century world. No answer.

Nuclear proliferation

How should the U.S. respond to Iran’s desire to develop nuclear material?

How should the U.S. respond to North Korea’s missile tests?

Does the U.S. need a consistent response to all nuclear threats?

I believe we must exhaust every diplomatic tool at our disposal in conjunction with our allies, including vigorous sanctions in the absence of measurable progress. If diplomacy fails and we must use force I believe it should be decisive and overwhelming. In these cases we are dealing with genuine nation-states. I do not want to short-change diplomacy, but I most assuredly do not want to join the hall of shame that many European leaders from the 1930s occupy. Had the world acted decisively early on to stop Hitler, it would have come at the loss of thousands of lives. That we dithered for a decade in the name of constantly failing diplomacy ended up costing us tens of millions of lives.

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?

What outcome would you like to see for Iraq?

What outcome would you like to see for America?

Is a deadline for withdrawal helpful or hurtful in obtaining those outcomes?

War in Iraq happened for several reasons. It began with the refusal of Saddam Hussein to observe U.N. sanctions. It is not just about WMD (though ample evidence has been discov-ered), not just about fighting terrorism, not just about building democracy. It is about all those things and more.

I have attended several troop sendoffs, one military funeral procession and at least three military homecomings, talking at length with soldiers either home on leave or back for the foreseeable future, and with their families. With the exception of one, those I have spoken with truly believe they are fighting for freedom. They describe building projects and alli-ances forged with the Iraqi people, one-on-one. In fact, one of those veterans is now one of my campaign’s regional coordinators. It is our duty as Americans to support them in that conviction because they have been willing to lay their lives on the line for it and for us.

That we will ultimately depart Iraq, leaving it to its own people to grow and defend, must be recognized both there and here. How else to support the responsibility we seek? That we must not set a firm timetable seems obvious. We can leave when Iraq is stabilized and capable of self-protection and self-rule.

Recent polls consistently show that a majority of Americans, including in the 17th District, deplore the war but believe we must finish the job. I know the 110th Congress will engage in vigorous debate on how best to do that and to fight this new kind of enemy and this new type of war.

Our goal as a nation should be a long-range, consistent foreign policy that promotes free-dom, stability and self-sufficiency – nowhere more so than in the Middle East. In a region as volatile as that, we must have allies.

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: Running for office! If everyone ran for something, or even helped with a political campaign or issue in some way, it would help you appreciate your good elected officials more and reawaken interest in the American political process, the best in the world.

The favorite DVD I own is... No answer.

The last CD I bought for myself: “Songs 4 Worship,” “A Winter Solstice Reunion” (Windham Hill), something jazz to share with my husband, and Little Big Town.

I’ve bought this book for friends:   I think a book is a very personal experience and you almost have to come to it on your own.

I’ve always wanted to read: The World Is Flat.

Here's an experience everyone should have: Running for office! If everyone ran for something, or even helped with a political campaign or issue in some way, it would do two things: 1) help you appreciate your good elected officials more and 2) reawaken interest in the American political process, the best in the world.

My best family vacation was: Hiking into and out of the Grand Canyon and camping overnight at the bottom.

Call me if you need help with... Anything written.

Here’s a musical instrument I’d love to learn how to play: The guitar. (I do play piano.)

The first car I purchased for myself was… No answer.

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