United States Representative 2 Year Term - Vote for One (1)
Candidates were asked to summarize their backgrounds in 75
words and were allotted 75 words to answer each question. If the candidate did not reply by the
required date for publication, the words, "Did not respond in time for
publication" appear under the candidate's name.
QUESTION 1
Are you concerned about the size of the federal deficit?
Explain your answer.
QUESTION 2
What government measures would you propose to improve access
to affordable health care?
QUESTION 3
The United States uses a great deal of fossil fuel for power generation and transportation. What measures would you support to tackle the ever increasing need for energy?
4th District
Elected to the House of Representatives, 1990, Congressman
Camp made an "unusually rapid rise to prominence," according to the
policy journal, Congressional Quarterly. A native of Midland, Camp pays close
attention to the needs of his constituents. Congressional Committees: Ways and
Means Committee; Chair of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue, responsible for
tax policy; Ways and Means Health and Human Resources subcommittees having
jurisdiction over tax and trade as well as Medicare and Social Security.
1. Yes, I am concerned about the federal deficit. I was part of the team that balanced
the federal budget for the first time in a generation and I am committed to
ensuring we get back to a balanced budget. I support the line item veto and the balanced budget
amendment in order to protect taxpayers.
We can balance the budget by controlling spending and growing the
economy.
2. I worked to create Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which
allow individuals to have control over their health care decisions. Three million people have enrolled in
HSAs, one million of which previously had no coverage. I support creation of Association
Health Plans (AHPs) that provide a mechanism for small businesses to band
together to buy health care insurance.
AHPs give small businesses the same ability large corporations have to
provide quality health plans to their employees.
3. I authored legislation, now law that provides consumers
with a maximum $3,400 tax credit for the purchase of a hybrid or other clean
fuel vehicle. I also support tax
incentives for alternative energy sources such as wind, biomass, solar, and
landfill gas. I sponsored
legislation that provides incentives for greater development and use of
landfill gas. To address current
energy needs, I support expanding offshore production of natural gas in the
Outer Continental Shelf.
I am a small businessman; own 2 businesses, married to
Linda, 5 children, 3 grandchildren.
Have been active in my community on the Chamber of Commerce and other
committees. I took Business management at GRCC, and Davenport. I also ran in this campaign in 2004 and
was successful in raising the vote totals for the Democratic ticket.
1. Yes, I am concerned about the size of the deficit. In just a few years we have experienced
our debt ceiling being raised on at least 2 occasions. Giving large tax breaks to the wealthy
and expecting the dwindling middle class to fill in the lost income. The
deficit continues to rise because of the Iraq war, with no end in sight.
2. Access to affordable health care is a major issue and the
numbers of adults and children without heath care is growing. As an industrialized nation we
owe our people a better system of health care. I would propose we institute a system, perhaps similar to
Medicare, so that all Americans can have basic care. I would research other nations programs and devise a system
that is uniquely ours and make affordable health care available for all.
3. We need to fund research into alternative fuels, such as
corn, soy, hydrogen. In the recent
past funding has been cut to research for hydrogen power and I think that was a
grave error. We also need to raise
the mileage standards for our trucks and automobiles. There are many options
available and we need to be looking at all of them in order to cut our
dependency on fossil fuels.
Did not respond in time for publication.
Born in Garden City, MI, Sept. 28, 1959. Married 26 years to Thomas, with one
son, Nathaniel. Assoc. Degree in
Bus., Muskegon Community College, 1980.
Many years of experience in self-employed retail sales/home party plan
businesses. Small business owner-owned and operated two motels in St. Ignace,
1989 to 1997. Currently a licensed
Realtor with EXIT Northern Exposure Realty in Big Rapids since May 2002. Member/church board officeholder of Big
Rapids Seventh-day Adventist Church . . .
1. Yes. I am very concerned. The Federal behemoth spends money it doesn't have on things
we don't need. We are saddled with
an enormous amount of debt run up to staggering levels by career
politicians. If the Constitution
was strictly adhered to, as I believe it should be, we would not be facing this
problem. The FedGov should be run like a business-in the black with no red
ink. I support passage of a ...
2. Without a doubt, excessive and burdensome government
regulations have driven up health care costs. Getting the FedGov out of health
care couldn't hurt. I would encourage the use of alternative/herbal
treatments. Breaking the unholy
alliance of the FDA and big pharmaceutical companies would be a huge step
toward this end.
3. I would support entrepreneurial efforts of new (or
forgotten) technologies and current ones such as nuclear, solar, wind, biomass
and geothermal, and tax incentives and rebates. And most of all, fewer
government regulations and meddling.
Repealing the federal gas tax would help, also.
