9th District U.S. Representative Collins: 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: MundeleinWebsite: philcollins4illinois.angelfire.comOffice sought: 9th District U.S. Representative Age: 47Family: I'm married to Nicole. This year, she graduated from seminary, and she wants to become a Lutheran pastor.Occupation: Employment CoordinatorEducation: I have a B.A. in political science. I'm about 3/4 finished earning a Masters in Public Administration.Civic involvement: I'm a member of First Santa Cruz Lutheran Church in Joliet.Elected offices held: I'm a Libertyville Township trustee.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoQuestions Answers Many Americans see gridlock as the greatest problem facing Washington today, and public opinions are at historic lows regarding the job their Senators and congressmen are doing. Specifically, what will you do to make Congress more productive and effective?I'll support a proposed constitutional amendment for congressional term limits. When fewer congressmen can run for re-election, they'll concentrate on doing what is best for the country, instead of what is best for their campaigns. Many congressmen spend too much time fundraising. When they can't run for re-election, they won't need to campaign, causing them to be more productive and effective for more Americans.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?Congress should pay for a brick wall along the Mexican border and increase the fines for employers who hire illegal aliens. I think that's a compromise, since I don't want to spend more money to deport more illegal aliens. These policies will impact the 9th District because, when illegals leave the U.S., more Americans will find jobs.How do you assess the state of the federal budget? Do you see a need for changes in how revenue is produced or in spending priorities? What specific changes do you consider necessary regarding federal tax policy and practice?The federal government spends too much money that isn't authorized by the Constitution, especially Article I, Section 8. Congress should eliminate all of that unconstitutional spending. That would cut spending by about 40%. When that happens, the federal government would need less money, so Congress would pass a 40% tax rate cut for everyone who pays a federal income tax.How would you work to produce a stable, affordable, effective federal health care policy? What shortcomings do you see in the Affordable Care Act, and how do you propose addressing them? If you favor scrapping the Act altogether, what do you propose as an alternative?Almost all federal health care laws violate the 10th Amendment, so those laws, including the Affordable Care Act, should be repealed. Only state and county governments should pass healthcare laws.What can be done at the federal level to aid Illinois' economy and your district in particular?Congress should cut the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 20%. When that happens, more businesses, in every state and district, will have more money that they can use to hire more employees.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Congress should eliminate the federal matching fund for presidential candidates. Each candidate should be responsible enough to raise money without help from taxpayers.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Kane Co. Board President and former State Senator Chris LauzenWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I needed to attend church every Sunday and try to learn from the service and Sunday school.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I'd volunteer, in my community, more often, as a teenager.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?In high school, I liked U.S. history. It helped me do well in my college political science and history classes.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I don't have children. If I did, I'd tell them to do their best in school, in every grade.