Michael Noland: 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: ElginWebsite: www.nolandforcongress.orgTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 8th Congressional District Age: 55Family: Married to Veronica Noland and have two childrenOccupation: State SenatorEducation: Bachelor's Degree from University of Illinois Chicago, MBA from University of Illinois Chicago, and Law Degree from John Marshall Law SchoolCivic involvement: Elgin Community Crisis Center, Izaak Walton League, Elgin Image Commission, Elgin Tree CommitteeElected offices held: State Senator (2007-Present)Questions 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?Unless there is a Democratic majority elected, I do not expect to see a Congress that is more productive and effective. That said, I stand ready, willing and able to work with Republicans to do so. We need to elect more Democrats to produce a healthier and more sustainable federal budget. When Bill Clinton left office he did so with a budget surplus. I do urge the initiation of a carbon tax to produce revenue to address spending priorities in particular to fund transportation projects within the 8th Congressional District and elsewhere.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?I support comprehensive immigration reform. Our country needs to balance national security with our long tradition of being a melting pot for all of those in search of a better life for themselves and their families. The 8th district has a very diverse district and I hope that it will continue to stay that way as we encourage legal immigration to our country.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 strongly recommend the institute of single payer universal health care at the national level. Health Care, as education, should be a matter of right. That said, short of succeeding in this, I urge the strengthening of Medicaid and Medicare to ensure that all citizens have true access to affordable health care.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?I believe that the most important thing the United States can do to promote stability in the Middle East is to rethink and greatly overhaul our energy policies. We need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Only then will there be less of a need to maintain a presence in the Middle East. I realized during my time serving in the United States Navy (I served at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital during Operation Desert Storm) how much of United States foreign policy is dictated by our country's need to protect our energy interests in foreign lands.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?In 2002 I ran for the Illinois House and lost to a Republican incumbent. Shortly after the election he died. I was encouraged to run again in 2004 when I lost by less than only 2 points. Both times I received zero support from the Illinois Democratic Party. However, while being greatly outspent we outworked our opponent. The Senate President took notice and personally recruited me to run for the Illinois Senate in 2006. H e noticed my ability to work hard and do more with less. I won that election and was reelected in 2010 and 2012.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Education policy and ensuring that our schools have the resources they need to successfully educate students is of particular concern across our state. We need to do more to lower class size and improve the overall quality of education for children throughout the 8th District.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Barack Obama. I believe he will be remembered as one of the greatest presidents to serve during our lifetime.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The value of hard work and perseverance over great obstacles.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Accepting grants for my college education. I chose not to apply for grants because I was too proud. It delayed my progress for many years.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Seventh grade social studies with Mr. Scanavino, he taught us about world events while helping us develop a strong social ethic.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Without surrender, be on good terms with everyone as far as possible. (Desiderata).