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League of Women Voters 2008 General Election
Voters’ Guide For St. Mary’s County |
President and Vice President of the United States
Representative in Congress – The Office
Representative in Congress – District 5
Judge of the Court of Special Appeals At Large
Board of Education – St. Mary’s County
State Constitutional Amendments
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Miscellaneous Voting Information ·
POLLS are OPEN 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. ·
EMERGENCY ABSENTEE BALLOTS may be obtained at your local Board of
Elections office in the 7 days prior to and on election day. You may fill out the application form,
obtain the absentee ballot and VOTE in one visit. ·
POLLING PLACES are usually less crowded between 10 a.m. and 2
p.m. Try voting on your lunch hour. (Located at the end of this
document) |
PRESIDENT AND
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
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About the
Office SALARY: $400,000 per year TERM: Four years.
Limit of two terms. HOW
ELECTED: Every
four years political parties nominate candidates to run for President of the
United States in a general election that is held on the first Tuesday in
November of years divisible by the number four. Although the parties use conventions to
nominate their candidates, in most states the Democratic and Republican
parties also run state-wide primary elections. The results of the primary influence how
the delegates to their respective party’s convention will cast ballots for
candidates for President. The degree
to which the result of the primary election influences the votes of delegates
at conventions varies from state to state. DUTIES: The President is the head of state of the
United States of America and is the Chief Executive Officer and the Commander
in Chief of all military forces. The
powers of the President are described in the Constitution and federal law. The President appoints the members of the
Cabinet, ambassadors to other nations and the United Nations, Supreme Court
Justices and federal judges subject to Senate approval. The President, along with the Cabinet and
its agencies, is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the
United States. The President may also
recommend legislation to the United States Congress. |
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Questions asked candidates for President: The
League of Women Voters of the United States posed questions to the candidates
for President in accordance with the following criteria: ·
All qualified presidential
candidates were invited to provide biographical information and responses to
five issue specific questions. Candidates were qualified if they met the
following criteria: 1) the candidate must have made a public announcement of
her/his intention to run for President; 2) the candidate must qualify for the
ballot in enough states to win a majority of electoral votes; and 3) the
candidate must meet the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act's minimum
contribution threshold requirements for qualifying for matching funds, based
on the most recent data publicly available on the FEC Web site as of August
8, 2008. ·
Responses were limited to 50
words and truncated after the 50th word. ·
Additional information on
presidential candidates is available on the League's voter information Web
site, www.VOTE411.org. In Maryland Write-in candidates are
allowed to file, after spending $50.00 in pursuit of the office, until seven
days prior to the election. If they
file as write-ins, their names will be posted in each polling place on
Election Day and votes for them will be counted. Their names will NOT be on any ballots. BIOGRAPHY: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: What, if anything, do you believe the federal
government should do to control global climate change? COST
OF HEALTH CARE: What should be done at the
federal level, if anything, to combat the high cost of health care? ECONOMIC DISPARITY: What,
if anything, should the federal government do about the growing economic
disparity between the middleclass and the well-to-do? EDUCATION:
What, if anything, should the federal
government do to create the world's best educational system for all children
in America? U.S.
STRATEGY – RISING GLOBAL POWERS: What
should the U.S. strategy be towards rising global powers like Russia and
China? The responses to these
questions are copyrighted by the League of Women Voters of the United States. |
Vote for One:
Barack Obama (Illinois) -- Joe Biden (Delaware)
Party: Democratic
Website: www.barackobama.com
BIOGRAPHY: Obama began his career as a
community organizer on Chicago’s South Side and headed a voter registration
drive. Obama practiced civil rights law and taught constitutional law. He
served eight years in the State Senate before his election to the U.S. Senate.
He graduated from Columbia University and Harvard Law.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: I believe the
federal government should pursue multiple paths to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and address the threat of global climate change, including
implementing aggressive cap and trade requirements to reduce U.S. emissions by
80% from 1990 levels and investing heavily in clean energy and advanced vehicle
technologies.
COST
OF HEALTH CARE: My
healthcare plan will make aggressive investments in cost-cutting technologies
and will place more focus on prevention and chronic care management. The net
result will be to bring down the costs of healthcare spending by $2,500 for a
typical family, annually, and lower the expense of Medicare’s services.
ECONOMIC DISPARITY: I will cut
taxes for the middle class and roll back some of the Bush tax cuts for those
making over $250,000 to restore fairness to the tax code. I will make long term
public investments in R&D, clean energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing
to create millions of good-paying jobs.
EDUCATION: I will
strengthen public schools by expanding early childhood education, reforming and
funding No Child Left Behind, recruiting and rewarding high-quality teachers,
and expanding afterschool and summer learning opportunities. I will create a
$4,000 American Opportunity Tax Credit and expand financial aid to make higher
education affordable for all.
U.S.
STRATEGY – RISING GLOBAL POWERS: We must
enhance our abilities both to collaborate and compete with China, while being
vigilant about China’s military modernization and respect for human rights. As
we seek a future of clear-eyed engagement with Russia, we must ensure Russia
acts as a force for progress, not regression to past conflicts.
John McCain
(Arizona) -- Sarah Palin (Alaska)
Party: Republican
Website: www.johnmccain.com
BIOGRAPHY: John McCain graduated from
the Naval Academy and served for 22 years as a naval aviator. He was elected to the House of
Representatives in 1982 and the Senate in 1986.
He has served as chairman of the Commerce Committee and ranking member
of the Armed Services Committee.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: I support
developing a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 60% by
2050, providing tax credits for alternative energy, promoting zero-carbon
nuclear power, reducing the federal government’s carbon footprint, funding
research into clean-coal technology, and offering incentives for America’s
automobile industry to develop electric cars.
COST
OF HEALTH CARE: Under
my plan, American families will receive $5,000 tax credits to purchase
insurance, either through employers or the private market––insurance that can
follow them if they change jobs or leave the workforce. I will work for reforms to lower costs and
provide coverage to Americans with pre-existing conditions.
ECONOMIC DISPARITY: We must spur
growth, create jobs, improve educational attainment, and enhance financial
security. My plan will keep income and
payroll taxes low, reduce the price of gas, double the dependent exemption,
bring down health-care costs, give deserving homeowners new fixed mortgages,
slash our high business taxes, and expand trade.
EDUCATION: Our education
system must focus on standards, accountability, and choice. My plan calls for recruiting highly qualified
teachers in the neediest communities, empowering parents to choose the best
schools for their children, expanding online educational opportunities,
providing low-income families with access to tutors, and funding professional
development for teachers.
U.S.
STRATEGY – RISING GLOBAL POWERS: As President,
I will work to establish good relations with other nations. At the same time, I will stand up for
democratic values and human rights, and I will oppose aggression and
Cynthia
McKinney (California) -- Rosa Clemente (North Carolina)
Party: Green
Website: www.mckinney2008.com
Did
not meet LWVUS/EF criteria stated above.
Bob Barr (Georgia) -- Wayne A. Root
(Nevada)
Party: Libertarian
Website: www.bobbarr2008.com
Did
not meet LWVUS/EF criteria stated above.
Ralph Nader
(Connecticut) -- Matt Gonzalez (California)
Party: Independent
Website: www.votenader.org
BIOGRAPHY: Attorney, author, and
consumer advocate, named by Time Magazine one of the "100 Most Influential
Americans in the 20th Century."
Over 4 decades of public service. Helped establish the OSHA, EPA, Consumer
Product Safety Commission, the Safe Drinking Water Act, Motor Vehicle Safety
Act, and Freedom of Information Act.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: The government
should stop subsidizing fossil fuels: oil, electric and coal mining interests.
Invest in renewable energy that is efficient, sustainable, and environmentally
friendly: wind and solar power. Encourage more efficient automobiles, homes and
businesses. Ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Create an independent Oceanic Protection
Agency. Adopt a carbon pollution tax.
COST
OF HEALTH CARE: Adopt
a private delivery, free choice of hospital and doctor, single payer public
health insurance system. This would save $350 billion annually by eliminating
exorbitant executive pay, advertising, computerized billing fraud and abuse,
and apply those savings to comprehensively cover everyone without increasing
taxpayer costs. Lower costs through bulk purchasing.
ECONOMIC DISPARITY: Unfair
legislation allows the middle class to suffer while the rich entrench their
status. To correct this we should enact a living $10 wage, adopt a fair
tax, and provide equal pay for women. We
must end corporate subsidies and bailouts. Repeal NAFTA and the anti-union
Taft/Hartley Law.
EDUCATION:
Increase
civic education and decrease standardized testing. Repeal “No Child Left
Behind” Act. Do not tie test performance to school funding. Provide full
funding for pre-school and nutrition
programs. Get product marketing out of the schools. Ensure that the nation's
crumbling schools are repaired within 3 years.
U.S.
STRATEGY – RISING GLOBAL POWERS: The US should
be a humanitarian superpower. Our foreign policy must redefine global security,
peace, arms control, an end to nuclear weapons and expand the many assets of our
country to assist with major initiatives against global infectious diseases.
Stop support of foreign dictators. Human rights come before trade, profit.
Chuck Baldwin
(Florida) -- Darrell L. Castle (Tennessee)
Party: Constitution
Website: www.baldwin08.com
Did
not meet LWVUS/EF criteria stated above.
WRITE-IN CANDIDATES WHO HAVE FILED IN MARYLAND:
Donald K. Allen
(Ohio)
Party: Unaffiliated
Website: www.donaldkallenforpresident.com
Lawson Mitchell
Bone (Tennessee)
Party: Independent
Theodis (Ted)
Brown, Sr. (Missouri)
Party: Independent
James D.
Criveau (Virginia)
Party: Non_Partisan
RaeDeen R.
Heupel (Montana)
Party: Independent
Website: www.raedeen.com/
Ronald G. Hobbs
(Pennsylvania)
Party: Independent
Keith Russell
Judd (Texas)
Party: Non-Partisan
Frank Moore
(California)
Party: Independent
Website: www.frankmooreforpresident08.com
Lynne A. Starr
(Florida)
Party: Independent
Blaine Taylor
(Maryland)
Party: Democratic
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About the U.S. House of Representatives: SALARY: $169,300 per year. TERM: Two years, no term limit. HOW ELECTED: The
United States is divided into 435 Congressional Districts that are
reapportioned after every decennial census. All seats in the House of
Representatives are up for election in every even-numbered year. DUTIES: Representatives share
responsibility with Senators for enactment of the nation’s laws as provided
for in the U.S. Constitution. |
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Questions asked candidates for
Representative in Congress: BACKGROUND: What are your
qualifications for this office? IMMIGRATION: What changes, if
any, do you support in regard to immigration policy? CLIMATE CHANGE:
Describe Federal legislation you
would support to address global climate changes. ECONOMY:
Identify a major challenge to the U.S. economy and how Congress should address it. EDUCATION: What are your
views on the No Child Left Behind legislation? HEALTH CARE: What plans need to be put into place to meet
the country’s health care needs? NATIONAL SECURITY: Identify a national security issue and how
Congress should address it. |
Vote for no more than one
candidate.
REPRESENTATIVE
IN CONGRESS – DISTRICT 5
Steny H. Hoyer
Party: Democratic
E-mail: info@hoyerforcongress.com
BACKGROUND: Since first being elected to
represent the residents of Maryland’s 5th Congressional District in the United
States Congress, I believe I have proven to be an effective, hardworking leader
who produces results. If reelected, I will continue to represent the values and
best interests of my constituents.
IMMIGRATION: Our approach to immigration
reform should be a comprehensive one. Strong border control and law
enforcement are essential parts of any effective immigration reform
measure. However, such legislation must also ensure that our businesses
have the workers they require, and provide for the responsible and fair
treatment of long-term immigrants.
CLIMATE CHANGE: The cornerstone of any
Federal legislation addressing global climate change is a national,
economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I have supported legislation to reduce these
emissions through improved automobile efficiency standards, national standards
for renewable electricity generation, public transit, and tax incentives to
increase energy efficiency.
ECONOMY: Our children and grandchildren will be forced
to pay back trillions of dollars in debt because of the fiscal irresponsibility
of the President and previous Congresses. I am committed to pay-as-you-go
rules, which require that tax cuts and new spending be paid for with savings
elsewhere in the budget.
EDUCATION: Raising academic achievement
and closing the achievement gap remain critical
goals. Unfortunately, President Bush has failed to adequately fund
the law. We must do more to ensure
adequate teacher training and support and identify schools that are having
difficulty making progress and provide them the resources they need.
HEALTH CARE: With more than 45 million Americans
uninsured, universal access to our healthcare system is among the most
important issues confronting our nation. I helped lead legislative efforts to
expand health coverage to 4 million low-income American children, ensure
continued services for Medicare beneficiaries, and lower the cost of
prescription drugs.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Our highest duty is to
protect the American people. We must
eliminate terrorists bent on attacking innocent people, target the broader
network of global terror groups, and tackle fanaticism by promoting reform,
freedom, and economic opportunity. This
is not only a war of arms, but also a war of ideas.
Collins Bailey
Party: Republican
E-mail: collinsbailey@aol.com
BACKGROUND: I have run a successful business for over 30
years. I know how to balance budgets and
cut wasteful spending. I can bring
common sense to Congress and work with anyone that has America's best interest
at heart. I have served fourteen years
on the Charles County Board of Education.
IMMIGRATION: Stop all welfare and government services for
persons here illegally. Immediate
deportation of those who threaten our society, physically secure our borders
and coastlines, enforce visa rules, no amnesty, end "anchor" baby
abuse, pass true immigration reform, no Social Security for illegal
immigrants.
CLIMATE CHANGE: The key to sound environmental policy is respect for
private property rights. The strict
enforcement of property rights corrects environmental wrongs. I would support the Congressional Green
Scissors Coalition, a bipartisan caucus devoted to ending taxpayer subsidies of
projects that harm the environment for the benefit of special interests.
ECONOMY: The cost of gasoline. Loss of industry overseas. Run away federal spending and the huge
federal deficit are crushing our economy, devaluing the dollar and driving up
prices of everything we buy including gasoline.
Congress must balance the budget without raising taxes. And address the energy supply and demand
imbalance.
EDUCATION: Increased parental options and local
educational authorities working with the parents and the teachers are what is
needed to make our schools better. I
would repeal NCLB and eliminate the Department of Education. That money can be more effectively managed at
the local level.
HEALTH CARE: Government bureaucracies cannot make choices
for an individual as well as the individual can make choices for
themselves. We need to increase consumer
driven health care options. Health care
options must address: quality, cost and availability. All decisions and government reform must
successfully cover all three of those components.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Affordable energy, out of control wasteful
government spending and partisan politics.
Our federal leaders seem unwilling or unable to address important issues
facing our nation. Because of inaction,
or wrong action, those issues have gone from: needing to be addressed, to
becoming serious challenges, to now threatening our national security.
Darlene H.
Nicholas
Party: Libertarian
E-mail: darnich@yahoo.com
BACKGROUND: State Rep run, Connecticut, 1998; Secretary of State
run, Connecticut, 2002; Eminent domain activist; NOT part of incumbent good old
boy network; BS, Chemistry; MBA; Congressional District 5 for three years;
Analyst, GDIT; Married, two sons; Life member VFW
IMMIGRATION: Stop spending billions to protect our borders
against decent people who only want a better life for their families. Change the laws to allow sufficient numbers
of peaceful, hard working immigrants to do what few Americans will, strengthen
our economy, enrich American culture, and raise our standard of living.
CLIMATE CHANGE: You can’t regulate climate change. The 2008 International Conference on Climate
Change demonstrated that the most realistic forecast for future warming was a
linear increase of about 0.17OF/decade. A libertarian society would not spend your
money on nonissues. Restitution can be a
deterrent and restorative for the environment.
ECONOMY: Democrats spend your hard-earned money on
entitlements and pork barrel schemes. We
must cease wasteful federal spending so we can pare down the national debt and
significantly increase the amount of our own money we get to keep. We need to do the same on the state level.
EDUCATION: No Child Left Behind” legislation is a fairy
tale designed to scare you into allowing more of your hard-earned dollars to be
misused to create more problems than are solved. Government schools don’t work. Put education decisions back in the hands of
the teachers and parents.
HEALTH CARE: I will work towards establishing Medical
Saving Accounts, deregulating the healthcare industry, and removing barriers to
safe, affordable medicines. The only
healthcare reforms that will make a real
difference are those that draw on the strength of the free market. Doctors will once again make house calls.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Stop our country’s nation building. We are playing policeman in a civil war. We have chased non-existent weapons of mass destruction instead of the terrorists who killed nearly three thou