Q&A with Melissa Bean and Randi Scheurer
Melissa Bean, a two-term incumbent from Barrington, is being challenged by Randi Scheurer, a first-time candidate from Lindenhurst, for the Democratic nomination for Illinois' 8th Congressional District.
Q. Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what? What will be your main priority?
BEAN: I'm honored to represent Illinois' 8th District in the U.S. Congress. I'm proud of the legislation and initiatives I've worked on and I'm running to continue my focus on adhering to fiscal responsibility, protecting our families, promoting economic growth and standing up for the moderate mainstream values of my constituents. As a fiscal conservative, I've used my 20 years of business experience to bring a greater level of accountability and transparency to government. I have worked to reduce wasteful spending and restore more responsible budget rules. I intend to continue leading on legislative and educational initiatives that protect our children from online predators, our families from environmental dangers and our communities from terrorist threats, while supporting policies that strengthen our economy and create jobs. I will continue to remain accessible and responsive by reaching out to the community through town halls, leadership summits, forums and other public events to maintain my independent approach to the issues facing our nation.
SCHEURER: In the last five years, Melissa Bean, the Republican-lite representative, continues to support this illegal war of aggression, thereby creating wounded and dead soldiers, and the walking-dead Iraqi civilians and millions of refugees.
As a member of Military Families Speaks Out (MFSO), against the war in Iraq; as a mother whose son served in Iraq, having returned home injured, after being hit by a private contractor (hit-and-run), thrown to the side of the road, left to find his way back to the base; having taken in one of his buddies who served 3 tours living now with PTSD; knowing that the medical care for our wounded is irresponsibly lacking, and the politicians in office are causing more dead and wounded soldiers by the day, and that this war was started on false pretenses. It is my goal as a citizen representative to bring our troops home now, through the power of the purse as Congresswoman: stop all funding for the war; legislate money used solely to bring our troops home, as we leave protecting refugees returning to their homeland, and to take care of our soldiers when they return.
Q. For incumbents and non-incumbents. If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.
BEAN: On Internet safety, I authored and led House passage of SAFERNET, a bill that provides for a national Internet safety education campaign. I cosponsored other initiatives to increase resources for tracking known sex offenders online and requiring offenders to register their e-mail and Internet addresses with the national registry. On the Financial Services Committee, I was an original co-sponsor of the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act to increase oversight and accountability in the mortgage market. As a Blue Dog, New Democrat and co-chair of Third Way, I continue to promote policies that strengthen fiscal responsibility, transparency in government and economic stimulus. I'm glad of my environmental record since I came to Congress and am proud of the recently passed energy bill, which enhances our renewable fuel production goals and creates a more secure and sustainable future by moving us from an oil dependence requiring $200 billion of oil imports per year to development of innovative next-generation bio fuels. When this bill becomes law, American children will be more secure economically, militarily and environmentally, and the world's children will inherit a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet.
SCHEURER: Stop the war in Iraq, using the power of the purse, bring our troops home and taking care of them when they return. Not one more dollar for the war, not one more soldier. No options on the table for a war with Iran!
Guaranteed single-payer health care for all people without discrimination. There are many good plans on the table. I would put an end to the privatized health insurance industry. This will take away the power they have over who lives and dies. As a breast cancer survivor I know the cost of drugs; I have met many patients who cannot afford drugs the pharmaceutical companies distribute to the very sick and poor. I would regulate this industry's costs, cutting off the perks they give to hospitals, cutting off the stranglehold on patients, and that pressures hospitals to be at the mercy of drug companies and their profit-driven business.
Regarding drugs: I would prosecute drugs, whose patents have expired, known to be affective, safe, less toxic, and pennies to make and buy, also too cheap for pharmaceutical companies to make a profit on to be reintroduced in to the market. The pharmaceutical companies also decide who will live and who will die.
I will protect working families by repealing CAFTA, restructure NAFTA and start again with a goal of respecting other nations' economic sovereignty and the need they have to build their countries' revenue and standard of living.
By helping countries across our borders we can stop the flow of undocumented workers who are desperately looking for a better life for their families. This will open up jobs to people willing to do the work the undocumented workers did. I would expect living wages given to all citizens of our country. I am against outsourcing without first making sure businesses in our country have the tax breaks and subsidies they need to grow.
Q. In which ways, if at all, would you alter the U.S. course in Iraq? What objectives, if any, must the U.S. still meet before it begins to withdraw troops?
BEAN: My visits to Iraq have given me insight into the on-the-ground challenges faced by coalition and Iraqi forces and feedback from their leadership and troops. On my recent trip in October 2007, I was encouraged by the military progress relative to reduced levels of violence, capture rates of terrorist targets, increased Iraqi troop capacity and capabilities, and more effective partnering toward Iraqi and coalition objectives. However, military progress alone does not create self-sufficiency of a sovereign state. A more secure and stable environment creates the opportunity for political and economic progress. The Iraqi government has failed to meet expectations in that regard. I continue to support a responsible guideline for phased redeployment of U.S. troops' focus from sectarian violence to fighting terrorism and training Iraqi forces so they can provide for their own security. Our redeployment reinforces the need for the Iraqi government to take responsibility for their own future and step up so U.S. forces can stand down and return home. To complement our efforts on the ground, the U.S. should implement a robust regional diplomatic strategy, as recommended by the bipartisan Iraqi Study Group, and work with Iraq's neighbors toward stabilization of a sovereign Iraq and the region. Finally, Congress must continue its rigorous oversight of the administration of this war and its impact on our military. As noted by many military experts, our armed forces -- especially the U.S. Army -- are stretched thin. Allowing reallocation of troops and financial resources that have been dedicated to Iraq equips our armed services with the flexibility to address the resurgence of the Taliban, al Qaida and other global threats we face as a nation.
SCHEURER: Withdraw immediately. As soon as tomorrow. No objectives accept to protect refugees as they leave starting tomorrow.
Right away today, bring to the table organizations skilled in diplomacy and conflict resolution to work with any and all tribes and leaders interested in using their expertise.
Q. With baby boomers starting to retire, do you favor changes to ensure long-term Social Security solvency? If so, what changes? If not, why?
BEAN: Social Security is facing solvency challenges due to aging demographics, and Congress must get serious about modernizing the program. I am committed to finding a workable solution that balances the interests of current retirees with those of future generations of Americans. However, I do not support the creation of personal Social Security accounts, as they would result in a shortfall of over $2 trillion for current retirees, whose benefits are currently paid for by the monies we would be removing from the system. Medicare solvency issues are even more acute than those facing Social Security. We must recognize that every time a new procedure or benefit is granted coverage under Medicare, it shortens the life of the program if we do not plan a way to pay for it. However, to tackle Medicare's long-term solvency issues, Congress must examine the underlying issue of exploding health-care costs. Medicare and Social Security's current budgetary paths are not sustainable and will require difficult choices. That is why I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 3654, The SAFE Commission Act, which would establish a bipartisan commission to recommend changes to taxes and entitlement spending. Independent commissions have often proven to offer pragmatic and effective options that can overcome the political impasse preventing reform.
SCHEURER: Regular folk pay Social Security up to $100,000 thereby protecting the rich and wealthy beyond that. Remove the cap on earnings and the money will flow into the system for people as they retire.
Stop stealing money from Social Security to fund the war and for military buildup.
Q. Do you favor or oppose a larger federal role in health-care coverage? Either way, why? And either way, what, if anything, should be done about rising health-care costs and Americans who do not have health coverage?
BEAN: While the United States has the world's best-trained health-care professionals and is a leader in research and innovation, 46.6 million Americans do not have affordable access to our health care system. We need to bring more people into the pool of insured, including younger and healthier workers. This will reduce costs and spread risks over more individuals, families and businesses while increasing care. Unfortunately, we're moving in the opposite direction. The number of uninsured in this country has risen by 5 million over four years. To reverse this trend, we need to explore and debate various congressional proposals to make access to our health-care system more affordable, including increasing the percentage of health-care costs that are deductible from federal income taxes; allowing individuals to buy into private purchasing groups; providing the uninsured an opportunity to buy into federal employee health plans; and strengthening the State's Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which has proven to be an effective program that insures about 6 million children. This past year, I was pleased to support legislation that reauthorizes and extends the SCHIP program to cover an additional 4 million low-income children. I have taken initiatives in Congress to address challenges facing our small business community in providing coverage to themselves and their employees. This year, I was an original co-sponsor of legislation that allows self-employed taxpayers to deduct their health insurance costs. During the 109th Congress, I voted to allow small businesses to share costs and risk by pooling together through association health plans to purchase coverage for their employees. More needs to be done to ensure access to affordable plans. As a nation, we spend 16 percent of our Gross Domestic Product on health care (roughly twice as much as other developed countries) and provide less coverage to our insured citizens than other countries. Despite that, the United States ranks considerably below those countries in the percentage of insured citizens. We must eliminate waste and fraud in programs like Medicaid, SCHIP and Medicare so we can ensure their solvency and their ability to care for our most vulnerable and elderly. I have supported legislation to speed the implementation of health information technology such as electronic medical records to improve the quality of care, reduce costly and duplicative paperwork, and eliminate dangerous errors caused by poor or outdated patient records. Also important is the need to allocate greater resources to preventive care including quality care for children (including SCHIP), encouraging personal responsibility for healthier lifestyles, and promoting a health system which encourages preventive screenings and frequent check-ups to catch health problems earlier.
SCHEURER: I already addressed this in my three most important issues in question No. 2.
There are single-payer programs designed to bring guaranteed health care to all, with a small increase in taxes that will be quickly offset by very low premiums that will not increase, and complete coverage without discrimination, used for preventive and illness-related services.
There will be a need to bring the federal government into these services. We need to regulate insurance and drug companies from their monopolistic and profit-driven business practices. They won't do this on their own. Do you ask an industry to step in to protect the consumer against products and services they are providing that need to be scrutinized for bad business practices? When there is fraud, greed and profiteering practices going on behind closed doors? That would be foolish. They lack those ethical and moral character.
Q. Do you favor maintaining or scaling back federal tax cuts made during the past eight years? Either way, why? What specific strategy, if any, would you apply toward reducing federal budget deficits and the national debt?
BEAN: Since coming to Congress, I have consistently voted to cut taxes, including reforming the alternative minimum tax to protect average families, eliminating the estate tax, renewing the Savers Tax Credit for eligible IRA contributions, extending lower rates on capital gains and dividends, supporting tax-deductible Medical Savings Accounts for eligible health-care expenses, enhancing deductions for higher education expenses, and renewing the research and development tax credit to help businesses grow and create jobs. I voted to enhance the child tax credit and eliminate the marriage penalty. I will continue to support stimulative tax cuts along with cuts in wasteful spending.
SCHEURER: Rollback all tax cuts for the wealthy! Drastically cut military spending!
Q. The current Congress could not agree on immigration reform. What would you do to advance reform in a divided Congress, and, briefly, what would the key elements be in your own immigration policy?
BEAN: While America is strengthened economically and culturally by those Americans who immigrated to our country legally, it is imperative that we secure our nation's borders in the interests of our national security. In the 109th Congress, I voted in favor of the House immigration bill to build border fences, increase patrol agents and toughen penalties on those who break the law. I also voted to strengthen requirements on employers to confirm the work status of their employees and to toughen penalties against companies that hire illegal workers. In addition, I voted to end the flawed practice of "catch and release" by increasing funding for detention capacity. Recently, I worked with Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC) to introduce The Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act. This bipartisan legislation will improve border security by adding 8,000 new Border Patrol Agents, enhance enforcement by increasing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, and crack down on the number of illegal immigrants working in the United States by requiring employers to check for specific forms of identification before granting employment. In 1986, President Reagan and the U.S. Congress passed comprehensive immigration reform legislation which promised border security. At that time there were roughly 3 million illegal immigrants in this country. The Administration and Congress failed to follow through, resulting in more illegal border crossings. Today, there are about 12 million people illegally in this country. Congress has an obligation to follow through on its commitments. I will continue to urge my colleagues to pass The SAVE Act quickly so that we can stop the inflow of undocumented aliens and secure our borders today.
SCHEURER: First, put a moratorium on all immigrants entering into the country to insure people entering are not dangerous, and pay their way. This is part of securing our borders, and immigrants' responsibility to being in this country. If they have an existing job they should pay into the system like all citizens do. If their goal is to be a citizen they should be preparing documentation, fees and penalties, but not going to the back of the line or sent out on a rail. I believe we can meet with businesses and workers representatives from unions to bring fairness to this problem. I believe as well businesses should be held accountable and pay penalties if they do not use legal means to employ undocumented workers.
I do not believe in fences. But I do believe as we work through this challenge we should bring our military home to protect our borders on all four sides.
Q. Given rising oil prices and Middle East turmoil, what specific steps, if any, do you favor to accelerate research into and application of alternative energy sources? Which alternative sources do you think hold the most potential for producing large amounts of affordable energy?
BEAN: With over half our nation's oil imported from overseas, it is imperative that the U.S. finally commits to developing a long-term energy policy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. I support additional safe drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve (which has more oil than ANWR and can be more rapidly developed) and have voted for natural gas exploration in the outer-continental shelf. However, it is imperative that we increase our investment in and incentives for conservation, renewable and alternative energy sources, and increasing domestic supply in a manner that is environmentally sound. That is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 969, which would require utilities to provide 20 percent of our energy from renewable sources by 2020. I also supported the conference report of H.R. 6, The Energy Independence & Security Act, which will increase average fuel economy standards from 25 miles-per-gallon to 35 by 2020, the first such increase in 30 years. The bill also bolsters the Renewable Fuel Standard to add billions of gallons of alternative fuels (such as ethanol, biodiesel, and cellulosic ethanol) to our fuel supply to move our nation away from its dependence on foreign oil. Lastly, it provides billions of dollars in new funding for alternative fuel and renewable energy research, and incentives for states and local governments to become more energy efficient, and requires 15 percent of our electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020.
SCHEURER: Today we should be going to Germany and other countries around the world successfully implementing alternative energy programs to learn what works in their country, using the Apollo Space Program as a guide to research and development, using talented scientists to develop alternative energy, instead of nuclear weaponry and space defense. We have enough nuclear arms to blow up the world 100 times over if not more. Stop using our scientists to develop bunkerbusting bombs. Move from destruction to renewable energy then we will be the true leaders of the world. Sun (solar) and wind.
Q. In what ways is the U.S. government successfully defending citizens against terrorism, and in what ways is the U.S. failing in that regard?
BEAN: I was proud to join my colleagues in the 110th Congress to pass the bipartisan 9/11 Commission recommendations. Following strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, the president signed this bill into law in August (P.L. #110-53). These recommendations will enhance airline passenger and cargo screening, implement risk-based homeland security grant funding, increase government-wide information sharing, and provide additional funding for improved communications among first responders. While those recommendations were a crucial start, we should do more to protect American passengers and the airline industry from the threat of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles. I remain committed to promoting legislation I co-authored and introduced last Congress to equip passenger jets with dependable and proven missile-defense systems like those already used by our military. Our first-responders are our first line of defense to future terrorist attacks. To ensure they are prepared to meet these threats, they need additional training, better equipment and improved communications systems. I will work to ensure that our local police and fire departments have the resources they need. I have helped to secure roughly $1 million in grants for several departments in our district this year.
SCHEURER: I would never have voted for warrantless wiretapping, the Patriot Act, repeal of Habeas Corpus, or the Sennsenbrenner Bill. Our constitutional rights have been seriously weakened by these bills.
We are less safe because of the way the politicians have voted, and because of the Iraq War, the bullying of Iran, Guantanamo Bay, secret tortures, has all made people hate us to the point of taking their own life as a desperate measure to get back at a power out of control.
The arrogance and unwillingness of the politicians to show basic decency outlined in our Democratic values toward other countries, using inflammatory language to stimulate hate in foreign nations, building up military forces that are intimidating and using private contractors to do United States' politicians bidding all cause hate and retaliation.
Q. Are you concerned, or not, about the number of former U.S. jobs being outsourced? Either way, what policy changes, if any, would you favor in that regard?
BEAN: Congressional commitment to policies that promote innovation and competitiveness is key to America's ability to benefit from trade. I was proud to play a prominent role in the recent House passage of the Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA). I joined a group of pro-trade Democratic colleagues in the House as part of the unofficial "Peru whip team" that successfully focused on building broad-base support for the FTA within the Democratic Caucus. I am hopeful that Congress will also pass the pending agreements with Columbia and Panama. Like Peru, passage of these agreements would translate to job growth and market access that would benefit Illinois. An agreement with South Korea would have significant economic benefits for the U.S., but will require serious consensus-driven negotiations to achieve. I will continue to support trade agreements that, on balance, encourage job growth and market expansion that will benefit our area businesses and agricultural sector. We should seek to eliminate unfair trading practices and/or tariffs in our trade relations so American employers and workers can compete on a more level playing field. I've stated in the past that our foreign trading partners should be held accountable to reasonable environmental and labor protections so American employers who comply with our national standards and are not competitively disadvantaged in the global market. I am encouraged by the new framework that has been established by Democratic leaders on a bipartisan basis to incorporate greater environmental and labor protections as core standards for future trade agreements. In the new global economy, Congress should work to strengthen American competitiveness while providing education about the overall benefits of trade. As a co-chair of the Third Way, a group dedicated to seeking common political ground on various issues, I was proud to help launch a new Third Way initiative that will focus on creating a new strategy for trade advocates to communicate more effectively to the public.
SCHEURER: I am more concerned about outsourcing than immigration and border crossing of illegals. Stop giving tax breaks and subsidies to rich companies out to exploit foreign workers, turning their backs on American-made products and services to gain a greater profit for the executives.
I would expect to levy tariffs on imported goods and tax foreign outsourced workers who are working for American companies, especially in the tech industries.
The poor foreign workers that are exploited should be unionized and given reasonable wages making it possible for them to live respectfully. I would not support usurping land and resources from working families in other countries for agribusiness and other land use by profiteers no matter what country they are from, especially from the United States.
Our example should be one of helping other nations grow as well as our nation. I am against the support of big business at the expense of working families.
The criteria I base my representation in Congress on will be based on social, political and economic justice for all. How Congress acts regarding these three basic humanitarian elements of life domestically and abroad will determine whether we truly want to remain a Democratic superpower or a greedy force that in the end will be weakened by this very greed, creating haves and have-nots in our own country.