Bert Miller: Candidate Profile

Back to 11th District U.S. Representative

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: HinsdaleWebsite: www.BertMillerForCongress.comOffice sought: 11th District U.S. Representative Age: 66Family: Wife: Dee Dee; Children: Giles (spouse: Maria); Albert (Spouse: Anne); Deirdre (Spouse: Jacob Swarsen)Occupation: ManufacturerEducation: Colorado State University: Bachelor's Degree in Finance; Minor in EconomicsLoyola-Chicago: MBA/FinanceCivic involvement: Hales Franciscan, Board of Director 2003-2005Big Shoulders Foundation Board of Directors 2007-present Illinois Manufacturers Association, Director 1990-present, Chairman 2002-2003National Association of Manufacturers, Director 2007-presentElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that?Like so many others, I've been frustrated with Washington's inability to deal with economic issues that have a profound effect on every household in the 11th District. For two decades, I've worked with professional organizations to promote free-market principles that I believe will help job growth and cut deficits. For me, public service is the next logical step. I'm particularly focused on economic issues: finding ways to reduce and eventually eliminate the federal deficit; saving Social Security; and promoting programs that help small businesses to grow. As the president of a family-owned manufacturer in the 11th district, I know first hand how the policies of federal government can have a profound impact on our local economy and prosperity in Illinois.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?I am a fiscally conservative leader and the only candidate that has direct experience creating jobs. I've run a successful family-owned bottle cap manufacturing business for more than 30 years. I started with 30 employees and now have more than 350 throughout the Midwest. I'm proud of is the fact that we only use American-sourced materials to manufacture our bottle caps, that our great workers are responsible for products that are in nearly every American kitchen. I'm also the only candidate that has been placed leadership roles in both statewide and national organizations. As past president of the Illinois Manufacturers Association and current board of director member with the National Manufacturer Associations, I have successfully worked with both sides of the aisle to fight for pro-business reforms. Our country and the 11th district needs and deserves a strong leaders with common-sense solutions, and that's what I will be when I go to Washington.Do you support moving ahead with the Affordable Care Act? Why or why not? Which parts of the law, if any, would you change?I support FIXING the Affordable Care Act. I do think that some reform was appropriateâ#128;#148;such as addressing the problems surrounding pre-existing conditions and accessibility. But as we have learned, the ACA is a mess that has to be cleaned up.What specifically would you do to end gridlock and partisan infighting in the U.S. House and promote cooperative problem-solving?While I pride myself as being able to work with those who disagree with me, it's a fair question to ask about what one person can do. It's said that when Mother Theresa arrived in India to aid diseased, impoverished people, she was asked how she could handle such an overwhelming task. Pointing to one particularly stricken individual, she replied, "I'll start with that one." Well, I'm no saint, but I think that pragmatic attitude provides the guidance anyone trying to promote systemic change needs: one at a time.What should the U.S. House do, and what specifically will you do, to avoid another government shutdown?While I understand the frustration many who helped shut down the government have, I do not think shutting down the government is the way to solve matters. It doesn't work in business, in relationships or in Congress. Millions are out of work. Each of those individuals is living through a personal tragedy. Getting our fiscal house in order, putting people back to work, and broadening the tax base cannot be accomplished when you're not talking. I will not in favor of a future shutdown.Do you favor measures included in Senate Bill 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013? Specifically, which segments do you support, if any, and which segments do you oppose, if any? Are there other proposals related to immigration that you support or oppose?I strongly support efforts to implement effective border controls. That is first and foremost. Many of the conceptsâ#128;#148;including a long, exacting path to citizenship that requires paying taxes and recognizing that citizenship is an honor and a privilegeâ#128;#148;could have a profound effect on business owners and communities nationwide, and we must tread carefully to assure fairness to current citizens above all. I also support examining efforts to allow some foreign students who graduate from American universities to use their knowledge and entrepreneurial ideas to create jobs in the U.S. and not force them back to their countries because "their time is up."On what issues would you break with your party, or have you broken with your party, and why?I would refuse to go along with my party leadership any time their policies would be detrimental the people of the 11th District.Should federal spending cuts known as the sequester be continued in their current form? Why or why not? Where specifically would you cut the federal budget, if any? What areas, if any, would you exempt from cuts?The sequester was inelegant but, in reality, did force some sorely needed cuts. Spending remains out of control, and I'd believe that reasonable people could work out a reduced spending plan without a sequester.How would you vote on cutting Social Security and/or Medicare?Social Security is in big trouble, and must be saved. For years, politicians have known that the actuarial numbers of the system will cause it to run out of money, yet have failed to take the steps to make it sustainable. If some private-sector companies and financial institutions are "too big to fail," Social Security and Medicare should be viewed in the same light. I do think we should examine financial means testing that would eliminate the wealthiest citizens from the system, but make sure that those who simply cannot to exist without this safety net should never be threatened.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?Candidate did not respond.