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?
8th District
FBI Special Agent, U.S. Army Officer, State Senator, Congressman, small business owner- Mike Rogers puts a lifetime of experience to work for the people of mid-Michigan every day. In the Michigan Senate, Mike created a tax free college savings plan and enacted measures to protect children from internet predators. In just three terms in Congress, Mike now serves as a Subcommittee Chairman on the Intelligence Committee, the Energy and Commerce Committee and as Deputy Whip.
1. I am greatly concerned about the size of the federal deficit. That's why I have consistently voted against the Congressional pay raise, against tens of billions in additional spending, for 1% reductions across the board and for budgets which flat line non-defense, non-homeland security spending. I also fully support strong and transparent earmark reform to ensure Congressional projects fund important district priorities, not politicians' pork.
2. Health care is an area where technology has driven change at a much faster pace than government has been able to respond. We changed that with the new Medicare prescription drug plan where 38 million seniors are saving more than 50% on life-saving medications. My legislation creating Health Savings Accounts in the Medicaid program for low-income families introduces consumerism into this health care program and helps put families in charge of their own health care decisions.
3. Crucial for our future is the millions in research dollars I've been able to secure for development of alternative energy resources at Michigan State University. Alternative energy sources are another essential element in keeping America strong economically. That is why I have been so aggressive in working on a measure to help build the distribution infrastructure for E-85 ethanol fuel, one of several options for weaning our nation off its financially draining dependence on foreign oil.
Born in Detroit and raised on the East Side. FBI clerkship; five years sea service in U.S. Navy. Returned to Michigan; earned a BA in Political Science from MSU and JD from UD Law School. Joined the CIA and served as an operations officer; received CIA Exceptional Performance Award. Served as prosecutor in Oakland County; established Michigan's first special prosecution unit for domestic violence. Currently Deputy City Attorney in Royal Oak.
1. Yes. The record-breaking deficit created by this Administration endangers our economic security. With a growing deficit, we can't afford to invest in infrastructure, education, health care and other key areas. Added to this is fact that foreign countries hold increasing amounts of our debt, and we should not be dependent on foreign capital. Finally, the deficit threatens the legacy we will leave our children. This irresponsible fiscal policy must stop.
2. Today there are too many working Americans without health insurance. An effective health care program for America will be a blend of public and private efforts. A Medicare-style program could serve younger Americans. Small businesses and the self-employed could join the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, which offers affordable insurance for members of Congress. Health Savings Accounts may help wealthier households, but they aren't a substitute for health care policy that serves everyone.
3. In the short term, conservation efforts will help, as will cracking down on price gougers and reversing oil industry tax breaks. In the longer term, we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil sources and support our economy by starting a national "Apollo" effort to develop clean energy sources and applications. Our universities, research labs and manufacturing talent are among the best in the world. We should harness that talent to make the U.S. energy-independent.
Born in New Delhi India 1957 to American Caucasian Parents. Graduated from (Allasandra High) Hemet, CA 1976. Worked road Co. for 3 years. Traveled in Mexico, Central, and South America 1981. 1982 returned to America to work commercial and residential framing in FL. (12 years). 1999 left FL. for Lansing, Mi. to help ageing parents and to offer a sense of family to my son who had just lost his Mother. 2002 received a Certificate ...
1. Very. It's an abomination. The empting of a 2 trillion surplus in one year by George W Bush administration is gross negligence and complicit congress. The Bush administration should have been impeached for just that alone.
2. Single Payer Universal Health Care that treats everyone equal regardless of their economic status. We are the only industrialized nation that does not offer universal health care and we are paying for it by having the HMO lobbyists fleecing and emptying our pockets. Take the middleman out of health care and we can all have affordable health care.
3. The science has been here for a long time. Re-newable low pollution impact technologies like wind, magnetic, solar and biofuels. Not only would it reduce our dependence on foreign fuels it would also reduce international violence and create a whole new industry that would create jobs based on creative alternative technologies.
Family: Happily married 53 years, three children, five grandchildren. Education: BS in Physics, U of M. Occupation: Residential Builder since 1953, produced about 850 Homes in Southeast Michigan. MEMBER: Optimist Club, West Bloomfield; Building Industry Association; National Association of Home Builders; National Association of Realtors. Public Offices Held: None yet. Political Attitudes: Socially liberal, Fiscally conservative. Patriotism: Volunteered to defend my country in the WWII Navy, at age of 17.
1. Please understand that "deficit" means the annual increase in the federal "debt"! If we miraculously reduced the deficit to zero, we would still have a staggering debt to pass on to our great grandchildren! We must change our spending habits sufficiently to produce an annual surplus, which would mean the debt is being reduced. We can start by ending Nixon's 30 year Drug War, and Bush's shameful occupation of Iraq. And not invading Iran.
2. 1) Create Medical Savings Accounts for all, creating personal responsibility. 2) Allow and encourage Americans to purchase lower cost imported prescriptions, with oversight. 3) Bring new drugs on the market faster, reducing costs, by creating a classification of drugs available as "Proved safe, although not yet proved effective." Let the medical profession make that final determination, after consultation with willing patients. 4) These measures would reduce medical costs and allow expansion without increasing costs.
3. 1) Reduce our waste of fuel and other resources by not engaging in regime changes and wars of aggression. 2) Encourage creation of additional nuclear power generation. 3)Increase the use of solar, wind, tidal, and "annual cycle energy systems" (incorporating ice-making heat pumps). The present high energy costs should make these systems more practical today than they were in the last century. 4) Promote using ground water to heat and cool buildings.
