Following are the responses to three questions The Herald-Mail posed to candidates for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District seat. The candidates were asked to limit their responses to 75 words. Those responses that exceeded that limit were edited. Except for minor editing for clarity, the responses are as the candidates submitted them.
Kathy Afzali, 54
Middletown
Republican
1. What is the best way to create new jobs?
All of the GOP presidential candidates are pro-business and with a Republican victory against the job-killing Obama agenda, I believe that consumer confidence will increase significantly and help turn the economy around. The next Congress will need to: Cut the corporate tax rate to under 13% and remove loopholes; Introduce a flat tax; Emphasize private sector innovation and growth; Eliminate the David Bacon Act and other destructive regulations, programs and bureaucracies.
2. Other than jobs, what is the 6th District’s biggest need?
Many from Western Maryland commute to Montgomery County. I have lived in Maryland for about 18 years and the I-270 corridor is still a mess. This important economic roadway should be a top priority for the next person we send to Congress. Eighty percent of the funding for I-270 improvement comes from federal dollars. We must get our nation’s fiscal house in order, then I will make it my mission to bring the transportation money back to my district.
3. Do you think Congress should raise taxes to help lower the country’s debt? If so, which taxes? If you do not support any tax increase, what alternative do you support?
Absolutely not. Tax increases are not the answer to our debt problem — spending is the problem. We need to cut the corporate tax rate and free the American entrepreneur to expand and create jobs. Western Maryland has about an 8.8% unemployment rate. The mission of your next Congresswoman should be to keep taxes low and encourage companies to hire and innovate in Western Maryland.
Roscoe G. Bartlett, 85 (i)
Frederick
Republican
1. What is the best way to create new jobs?
Governments can take money from taxpayers and transfer those funds, but individuals create both jobs and wealth. If elected officials uphold our Constitution that established limits on government actions according to the Rule of Law, protect individuals’ civil liberties and private property rights, and inform Americans about relevant facts, then governments at every level will unleash the creativity and wisdom of Americans to take risks to create jobs to solve every challenge our country faces.
2. Other than jobs, what is the 6th District’s biggest need?
The greatest need countrywide is to eliminate the national debt. It is a threat to our economy and our national security. We need to prioritize federal government functions to focus on our constitutional responsibilities with more efficiency and accountability. Long term entitlement reform must be addressed so that we can keep the promises to our current retirees and ensure that future generations have the same opportunities for success as we did.
3. Do you think Congress should raise taxes to help lower the country’s debt? If so, which taxes? If you do not support any tax increase, what alternative do you support?
Ronald Reagan and George Bush both raised taxes in exchange for the promises from the Democrat leadership that spending would be cut. It never happened. In place of ever increasing taxes, I support real cuts in our federal spending along with replacing our current tax system with a consumption tax or Fair Tax which does not tax necessities that everyone needs like potatoes but would tax potato chips. The tax burden becomes transparent and progressive.
David R. Brinkley, 52
New Market
Republican
1. What is the best way to create new jobs?
My opponent, Roscoe Bartlett, voted to increase the debt limit. I would not. Our national debt is the single biggest barrier to creating jobs and has introduced financial uncertainty among business owners and entrepreneurs, the very people that create jobs. As a top rated pro-business legislator in Annapolis, I know the solution to creating private-sector jobs is to lower taxes and cut spending. We must encourage the private sector to create jobs, not “big government.”
2. Other than jobs, what is the 6th District’s biggest need?
We need a healthy, vibrant and growing economy. When neighbors and possibly yourself are out of work, when savings have been spent, when houses are being repossessed, when we have to borrow money to feed our families, everything else takes a back seat. As your next Congressman, I will make it my singular effort to re-establish proven economic principles and safeguards. This economic tragedy was man-made, because Congress couldn’t say, “No.”
3. Do you think Congress should raise taxes to help lower the country’s debt? If so, which taxes? If you do not support any tax increase, what alternative do you support?
On television last month, Roscoe Bartlett said he supports raising taxes on every single American that fills out a tax form. I completely disagree. I would follow Ronald Reagan’s approach by cutting spending, reducing taxes and encouraging business owners to grow and compete. Reducing taxes, creating jobs, and cutting spending will produce sufficient revenue to eliminate the debt. We must send a message to the private sector that Washington, D.C., is serious about cutting spending.
Robert Coblentz, 34
Near Williamsport
Republican
1. What is the best way to create new jobs?
The best way to create jobs is to enable entrepreneurs and business owners to feel comfortable and confident making investments in new and existing businesses. Government’s role in this effort is to create a friendly environment to allow businesses to thrive. Government should be a partner, not an adversary. Keeping taxes low and cutting strangling red tape will bolster confidence and innovation, which will spur job growth.
2. Other than jobs, what is the 6th District’s biggest need?
Opportunity is the 6th district’s biggest need. Over the past three years, our federal government has been regulating our lives and redistributing what already exists, which is just a sharing of scarcity and misery. We can leave our children with an unpayable debt and a shattered economy or we can leave them liberty … the land (where) every individual has the opportunity to be whatever they desire to be.
3. Do you think Congress should raise taxes to help lower the country’s debt? If so, which taxes? If you do not support any tax increase, what alternative do you support?
Our biggest issue is that our elected officials are not accountable with our tax dollars. We need a two part solution. First, I support a balanced budget amendment, which will assist with getting federal spending under control. Second, I favor a flat or fair tax of 12%-15%. Only 53% of Americans pay taxes. A flat or fair tax will broaden the tax base and increase revenues.
Robin Ficker, 68
Boyds
Republican
1. What is the best way to create new jobs?
Apple Computer, the largest U. S. corporation, has 500,000 jobs in China and Japan and 10,000 in the U.S. That should be reversed with tax incentives and political prodding. The people of Western Maryland are as industrious, hardworking and honest as the folks abroad. Apple should locate here. Apple holds $84 billion overseas. Incentivize them to bring that money back here. Improve Route 81 and widen I-270. I’ll work hard to accomplish this!
2. Other than jobs, what is the 6th District’s biggest need?
No Gas Tax Hike! Into our jobs debate have come two men with baseball bats: Governor O’Malley and Gas Tax Garagiola. They want to increase Maryland’s gas tax to as much as twice that of Virginia, which will drive our jobs to Virginia. Don’t tax hard-working folks going to work and transporting goods we all need. Our Washington County campaign has directed thousands of emails, letters and calls saying NO Gas Tax Hike!
3. Do you think Congress should raise taxes to help lower the country’s debt? If so, which taxes? If you do not support any tax increase, what alternative do you support?
No. Cut Spending instead. In 2008, when the Ficker Amendment passed in Montgomery County to limit property taxes over Garagiola’s opposition, the National Taxpayers Union honored me at their National Convention saying, “Mr. Ficker, your victory is a national record to pass a taxpayer protection measure at the local level against such difficult odds!” Please visit robinficker2012.com, Robin Ficker 2012 onFacebook, and montgomerypetitions.com to see much more, including energy tax limitation efforts!
Peter James, 56
Germantown
Republican
1. What is the best way to create new jobs?
Creating jobs is not a power authorized by the Constitution. It was the contraction of the money supply which bankrupted businesses and put people out of work. It made the bankers even richer. Unless there is sufficient money in circulation, there is no extra money to put into new paychecks. No new money, no new jobs. This is explained in detail at www.peterjames2012.com. Eliminating Federal taxes and regulations will help as well.
2. Other than jobs, what is the 6th District’s biggest need?
A just money system would enable flourishing local industry and agriculture. We need these two engines of growth because we are too dependent on the ever expanding Federal Government which produces nothing. Please Google “Guernsey’s monetary experiment” to see a real world example of Just Money at work. This can all be done without any government involvement. We can produce $1 billion more food in the 6th district to meet local consumption.
3. Do you think Congress should raise taxes to help lower the country’s debt? If so, which taxes? If you do not support any tax increase, what alternative do you support?
Andrew Jackson “killed” the Central Bank and was our only President to have ZERO public debt. As hard as it may be to believe, this is the best and only real solution to the debt beast that is enslaving us and future generations. This can be done over a few years and eliminate nearly all federal taxes, by spending on only those things authorized by the “enumerated powers” defense, post office, courts, etc.
Joseph T. Krysztoforski, 58
Phoenix
Republican
1. What is the best way to create new jobs?
Embrace free market principles; control spending; repeal restrictive regulatory legislation and eliminate the bureaucracies they created; reduce tax rates to boost economic growth; adopt a fair, simplified tax code, and promote job growth through the support of small businesses, the foundation of our economy; restore confidence and eliminate uncertainty. The end result of cutting government regulation, reducing the deficit and reducing corporate taxes will be an economic emancipation that will lead to more jobs.
2. Other than jobs, what is the 6th District’s biggest need?
While mostly a state and local government responsibility, the federal government can encourage economic development, investment in local communities, rebuilding and renovation of the infrastructure.
3. Do you think Congress should raise taxes to help lower the country’s debt? If so, which taxes? If you do not support any tax increase, what alternative do you support?
Immediately cut agencies’ fiscal budgets to 85% of their 2010/2011 spending levels; cut discretionary spending, excluding defense, to fiscal 2008 levels; implement zero based budgeting for 2012/2013 ending automatic year to year increases; pass a balanced budget amendment with energy action provisions; implement Social Security and Medicare reforms making the programs solvent and maintainable; reinstate the President’s budgetary powers to impound funds; eliminate special interest subsidies. Eliminate all future special interest earmarks.
Brandon Orman Rippeon, 40
Darnestown
Republican
1. What is the best way to create new jobs?
Job creation must come from the private sector, not the government. As your Congressman I would work to create an environment favorable to private enterprise. This is done by simplifying the tax code, promoting savings and investment, reducing bureaucratic red tape and regulations and promoting free market principles.
2. Other than jobs, what is the 6th District’s biggest need?
The 6th Congressional District needs more private sector investment, private sector development and private sector enterprise. As your Congressman I would work to attract biotech, pharmaceutical, engineering, and high-tech agricultural companies to come to the western counties. I would work to bring the I-270 technology corridor into Western Maryland. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics represent the basis for future job creation.
3. Do you think Congress should raise taxes to help lower the country’s debt? If so, which taxes? If you do not support any tax increase, what alternative do you support?
As your Congressman I would not support higher taxes. To reduce America’s annual deficit and national debt the federal government must stop spending more money than it takes in. By promoting savings and investment, simplifying the tax code, and promoting free market principles, government expenses will drop and revenue will organically increase. As a successful businessman and not a career politician, I understand this is the formula to balance the budget.
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