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Chris Balkema: Candidate Profile

11th District U.S. Representative (Republican)

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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: JolietWebsite: balkema.orgOffice sought: 11th District U.S. Representative Age: 42Family: Wife, Jill; and two sons, Luke is 11 and Max is 9Occupation: Purchasing ManagerEducation: Bachelors Degree in Business from Taylor University in 1993Masters Degree of Business Administration (MBA) from Bradley University in 2002Civic involvement: Member of Minooka Lions ClubMember of Village Christian Church in Minooka, ILElected offices held: Minooka High School Board (District 111) - 1 termGrundy County Board - in my 2nd termHave 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?I am running for the 11th Congressional seat in order to save the United States of America from financial disaster. Our government must be held accountable for its insatiable appetite to tax and spend while continuously raising the debt ceiling. I will fill the vacuum of leadership in Washington by driving solutions that make our country competitive again and allow millions of jobs to be created. I have a documented history of leadership that delivers results. I am a manager at Caterpillar, in Joliet, and a sitting Grundy County Board Member. I started his public service by winning a seat on the Minooka District 111 School Board.I believe in reducing taxes, eliminating government intrusiveness and I expect leaders to be held accountable for their votes and actions. My strong leadership skills allow me to solve problems and to develop clear-cut strategies that achieve goals. At Caterpillar, I have effectively led and increased the efficiency of the organization while delivering a healthy return to stockholders. In government, I have proven to be a fiscally responsible voice representing the taxpayer in Grundy County's 2nd District.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?I am the only true conservative leader, on the ballot, that has the track record and courage necessary to go to Washington and deliver results to the voters of District 11. Bert Miller has given money to Obama and Blagojevich. He jumped into the race at the 11th hour and lacks the experience to deliver results. Darlene Senger has voted for at least 10 tax increases during her tenure as an Illinois State Representative in Springfield. We do not want to pick up an elected official from the only government that is, arguably, more inept and backward than Washington and expect a different result. I am the leader that will go to Washington and get the job done.Do you support moving ahead with the Affordable Care Act? Why or why not? Which parts of the law, if any, would you change?We must repeal Obamacare and replace it with free market concepts that will drive higher quality and lower costs. We must allow insurance companies to compete and sell insurance across state lines while getting the bureaucracy out of the way. American organizations and doctors know how to provide high quality healthcare if we get our government out of the way.What specifically would you do to end gridlock and partisan infighting in the U.S. House and promote cooperative problem-solving?The nice thing about the truth is that it never changes. The truth is on side of the American people. The liberal extremists that want to socialize the country are in the minority. The majority of Americans want to see the United States thrive under the capitalist model upon which our nation was founded. We need to stand strong and protect Constitution. I will lead the charge to provide solutions to our financial crisis that the majority of leaders in Washington will support.What should the U.S. House do, and what specifically will you do, to avoid another government shutdown?Since the House and Senate have passed a budget that will be in place for the next two years, the threat of a shutdown is over. As soon as I am elected, I will roll up my sleeves and get to work on a plan to balance the budget while reducing taxes. This will allow companies to begin investing money in their future and creating jobs along the way.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?The number one priority for the United States is to protect our borders. Our country is at risk, in many ways, without secure borders.On what issues would you break with your party, or have you broken with your party, and why?Republicans and Democrats alike have spend far too much money over the past six decades. I, as an individual, have the courage to provide desperately needed leadership in Washington.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?We must get our spending under control. I'm reminded of my favorite quote from Margaret Thatcher, 'The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money'. We must develop a balanced budget in short order.How would you vote on cutting Social Security and/or Medicare?There are people, in the United States, that have paid into these programs for many years. We can protect their economic interests and ensure that those in retirement continue to receive these benefits. However, these programs must be overhauled or they will bankrupt our nation. I will provide the leadership to get his done.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?Once elected I will lead the fight to â#8364;brvbar;* Create a healthy business environment to stimulate job creation* Revise and simplify the tax code* Balance the budget by aligning spending with revenue* Reduce regulation on small businesses* Lead the charge to install term limits for Congress