Jim Walz: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: GurneeWebsite: jimwalzforcongress.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 14th Congressional District Age: 53Family: Wife- Rhonda (married 29 years)Son- Steven (25)Daughter- Rachel (21)Occupation: Outside SalesEducation: Loyola Academy 1980Western Illinois University, December 1984- B.S. MarketingCivic involvement: Spearheaded effort for Advisory Question on November, 2012 ballot in Warren Township to declare that Corporations are not people and money is not free speech. With 24,00 votes cast, non-binding question passed by 2:1 margin.As School Board member of Warren Township High School (WTHS) District #121, I championed the cause to the point where a Letter of Intent was signed to put solar arrays on both high school campuses. WTHS is these second largest high school district in the state of Illinois (outside Chicago).Volunteerism related to Hurricane Katrina and local flooding efforts; Gurnee Days Parade.Elected offices held: School Board member Warren Township High School District 121Democratic precinct committeeman Warren Township #303Questions Answers How will you work to make Congress more productive and effective? What actions are needed to produce a healthy federal budget? Specifically, what changes do you advocate regarding how revenue is produced or what our spending priorities are? In particular, what effect does current policy have on your district and what changes, if any, are needed?All too often, the word government is seen as four-letter word. We have to push past our differences and do the work that is in the best interests of everybody (of, by and for the people).Progressive taxation will raise revenue for the budget while limiting income inequality. Increase taxes on the wealthiest individuals- tax capital gains the same as ordinary income. Stop the practice of corporate inversions that allow for the offshoring of headquarters. Eliminating this practice would close loopholes that allow corporations to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Invest (spend) in our infrastructure. Rebuilding our roads, bridges, water treatment centers, electrical grids. railways and phone/internet lines adds to our efficiencies and safety while creating good-paying middle class jobs. Studies show that every dollar invested in infrastructure returns up to three times in economic impact. That would get people in the 14th District working again and put money into the pockets of the middle class- the real job creators.Higher wages creates higher demand. Higher demand creates more good paying jobs. In turn, more revenue would be generated. Higher wages push people up over the poverty line thereby reducing the size of government- meaning people would not have to rely on social programs such as food stamps and Medicaid.What immigration policies do you support? Where, if at all, do you see room for compromise to produce an effective policy on immigration? How will these policies have an impact in your district?We live in a nation of immigrants. I support the DREAM Act that would create a pathway to legal citizenship for young, undocumented, non-violent offenders. We should address the exploitation of cheap, foreign labor thru visa reform. Bringing these individuals out of the shadows would be to the benefit of all. In the 14th District, undocumented workers harvest our crops, build our homes, cook our meals and care for our children. Its not just that we have a problem with illegal immigration- its that we have problem with illegal immigration EMPLOYMENT. Allowing for citizenship would make it difficult for employers to undercut workers wages and benefits. Higher wages generates additional revenue that would benefit the economy as a whole and create more demand and jobs.What should be the top priorities in Congress related to the Affordable Care Act? If you want changes, what specifically do you recommend? If you want the act entirely eliminated, please address these questions: Is that politically feasible? If it proves infeasible, where do you see the potential for compromise? If it is eliminated, what would you replace it with, if anything?I would recommend that Congress revisit the provision in Medicare Part D (passed in 2004 under President George W. Bush) to allow for the negotiation of drug prices on behalf of Medicare ( just as we do with Medicaid and the Veterans Administration) and allow for the re-importation of drugs from other countries. This would drastically reduce the cost of prescription drugs. Ultimately, I believe in single-payer, universal health care. We are the only industrialized country in the world that does not offer this. Healthcare should be considered a right- not a privilege.The only healthcare that insurance companies provide is stress. It's unconscionable that there is a profit motive for denying people health coverage. Nobody should have to choose between taking the medication they need to survive and whether they pay their rent or put food on the table. And nobody should go into personal bankruptcy for falling ill.Expanding and improving Medicaid and addressing our mental health services is essential.What military or diplomatic roles should the United States play to promote peace and stability in the Mideast? Under what circumstances, should we have military forces actively operating?Always work towards diplomatic ends. It was our involvement/invasion in Iraq and Afghanistan that destabilized the entire region. The Iraq bombings created a refugee crises by displacing millions of Iraqis that fled to neighboring Syria. Build a coalition of allies in the region and offer support, but no deployment of troops other than special-ops. The only troops on the ground should come from the region. We have to put our geo-political differences aside and destroy any terrorist organization.And finally, confirm President Obama's nominee for undersecretary for terrorism and financial crimes, Adam Szubin, to cut funding to terrorist organizations like ISIS and the governments that sponsor them. While he is "acting" undersecretary, the Senate should provide certainty to the position.Please list any elected office you have ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?April, 2013- Warren Township trustee- not victorious.August, 2014- appointed School Board member at Warren Township High School District #121March, 2015- Warren Township School Board- victoriousWhat other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The only thing our trade policies have succeeded in doing is exporting jobs and importing unemployment and lower wages. While there has not been much reporting on this, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will do nothing but create more strife for the middle and working class. Congress should reject this agreement The dangers of climate change; incentivizing the use renewable energy; the negative impact of money in politics; lowering the cost of higher education, create demand thru higher wages are just a few of the other major issues that need to be tackled and addressed.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Elizabeth Warren Senator- Mass. - a true champion of the middle class.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I was born with two eyes; two ears and one mouth. Use them in the same proportion. You learn more that way.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have gotten more civically/ politically active earlier in life. Civic involvement affects everything and everybody. Democracy starts with each one of usWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Marketing has had the largest impact. Whether it has been in sales or retail, interaction with others is key to compromise and consensus.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?You have a lot less to remember if you always tell the truth.