League of Women Voters of Michigan

Nonpartisan Voter Guide 2008

© LWVMI Education Fund 2008

District 8

United States House of Representatives - 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.

1. What should the federal government do, if anything, to ensure that every American has health coverage? (75 words)

2. What should be done, if anything, at the federal level to reduce our use of and dependence on fossil fuels? (75 words)

3. What measures would you support at the federal level that would help our Michigan economy? (75 words)

Mike Rogers, Republican

Did not respond in time for publication

Robert D. Alexander, Democrat

My life has focused on community improvement. I grew up in SE Michigan, graduated from UofM and Wayne State, was a Peace Corps chicken breeding advisor in India, and taught in Detroit and Willow Run. I worked for State Senators, and was a State Policy Analyst for Energy Services and Medicaid Long Term Care. Now I consult with community organizations, and am married with three adult children, a daughter in law and two grand children.

1. I have worked for health care that is affordable and accessible for all Americans. Medicare and State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) should be expanded to provide broader coverage. I support Cong. Conyers’ HR 676 for health care for all. I was the Project Officer for 16 Medicaid Demonstration Projects that increased access to care, improved quality and reduced waste. Locally I worked with the Ingham Access to Health Care group that expanded health services …

2. I support Senator Obama’s Call for Clean Energy Future by investing $150 billion over the next ten years to develop bio-fuels, produce plug-in hybrids and all electric cars, and develop commercial scale renewable energy production from solar, wind and geothermal sources. Michigan must become the leader in manufacturing equipment for solar, wind and geothermal energy production. We must reduce our excessive consumption by walking, bicycling, and creating more bus routes and passenger trains.

3. I would have voted YES for these recent bills that Mike Rogers voted against: Preventing Price Gouging at the Gas Pump; Enacting a New GI Bill of Rights for our returning veterans; Raising the federal minimum wage; I helped raise Michigan’s Minimum Wage in 2006; Providing Protections from Foreclosure for homeowners and farmers; Extending Unemployment Compensation for another 16 weeks. I will propose a new targeted economic stimulus package for Michigan and other high unemployment …

Will Tyler White, Libertarian

Born in Detroit in 1950, Will worked in food service after high school, entering MSU in 1978 where he is a continuing education student. Drafted in 1967, an eye injury left him ineligible. Trained as a skilled luthier, he founded White Bros. Music in 1976 and Travelers Club International Restaurant in 1982, both in Okemos. He is a community activist serving on the Meridian Township Economic Development Corporation and the Okemos Downtown Development Authority.

1. The Federal government can make health insurance more accessible by improving competition and portability in the insurance industry. Health coverage should follow the person who is insured, and not be restricted by the employer or where the person lives. Easing certain government regulations to stimulate more competition in the insurance and health care industry will drive costs down, making it more affordable. Encourage individual health savings accounts, and improve the performance of Medicare and Medicaid.

2. Eliminating subsidies for the enormously profitable oil companies and allowing market forces to set the cost of petroleum products will raise gasoline prices closer to their true value. This will reduce usage and spur private investment in alternative energy, which will then be profitable and price-competitive. The technology for solar, wind, biofuel and geothermal energy is well developed. Follow Denmark’s example; they became energy independent in thirty years. With American ingenuity, we can do better.

3. Taking less out of everyone’s paycheck is the single most important thing the federal government can do to improve Michigan’s economy. Shut down departments which are state responsibilities, and return those dollars to the states. It would slow deficit spending and reduce the enormous tax burden. Some of Michigan’s problems are state-level though. Enacting Fair Tax legislation to eliminate taxes on personal income and business, plus a right-to-work law are critical to reviving Michigan’s economy.

George M. Zimmer, US Taxpayers

My name is George Zimmer. I am 66 years old and have lived in Byron, Michigan for 20 years. I am married and have two grown sons both of whom work out of state. I am a retired air traffic controller. Prior to that, I was a steel mill foreman. I am a veteran of the USAF. I completed an economics major at Roosevelt University in Chicago but never graduated due to work.

1) Medical benefits are attached to the workplace. We can’t compete with third world countries that don’t provide benefits to their workers. We must enact protective tariffs so we can economically compete in the market place and provide decent benefits. Malpractice lawsuits should be automatically reviewed so as not to be excessive. Patents on medicines should never be extended. Expensive procedures (MRIs, etc) should be subsidized so everyone who needs one can have it.

2) We must reduce the use of fossil fuels. A 60 mph national speed limit for trucks, cars, and buses would help. We should lower the threshold of the gas guzzler tax. Ethanol from non-food sources should be encouraged. Public transportation especially rail and boat must be encouraged. We should return to cotton and wool in lieu of petroleum based material. Internal combustion engines can be improved, i.e., Atkinson cycle attn. MTU & Kettering U.

3) Michigan economy would benefit from the development of fuel saving vehicles. A 49% tariff on all imports would revitalize Michigan industry. Ethanol production from weeds would help us quite a bit. We should begin teaching economic driving. Passenger trains need to be brought back, in particular, interurban self propelled cars. Biology, chemistry, physics, and four years of mathematics should be required to graduate from high school. This will help in the long run.

Aaron Stuttman, Green

Did not respond in time for publication