Kathy Dahlkemper - Democratic candidate

Website: www.kathydahlkemperforcongress.com

IRAQ
LEAD has been calling for a timely withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, and we oppose any future attempts to substitute pre-emptive war for diplomacy. What is your position on the Iraq war and a timetable for ending it?

I have been opposed to the war since day 1 and strongly believe that we must withdraw our troops promptly, safely and with honor. From all the experts I have spoken with, there is no reason to believe that we could not begin disengagement within 6 months. Disengagement does not mean abandonment, however. We must engage neighboring countries in assisting in a diplomatic solution and stabilizing Iraq. No one benefits from a chaotic Iraq.

HEALTH CARE
Are you in favor of single payer health care?

I favor Universal Health Care and a system that will best work for all Americans. I believe that our system must give control to the consumer and must lower costs. It must immediately address covering all children. It must also address long-term health care needs, preventive health medicine, prescription drug costs and research. I want to be actively engaged in the debate and hope to help facilitate a quick and effective solution.

EARTH
LEAD advocates preservation of our environment as vital to both the health and economic well-being of our families and future generations. Briefly, tell us your positions on energy conservation, climate change, protecting our water and air quality, building the proposed tire plant on the IP Industrial site, and on legislating more wilderness areas in the Allegheny National Forest.

I have a strong background and record of environmental leadership in both this region and across the Commonwealth. My greatest environmental achievement has been the creation of the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier (LEAF) in Erie, PA. I am a co-founder of the organization and since 1997 I have worked as volunteer Director of LEAF, a 501c3 organization. As Director I have been responsible for the entire project including fundraising, marketing, implementation of construction projects, and educational programming. Over the past 10 years the arboretum project has involved the planting of over 400 trees, the restoration of Cascade Creek and the creation of a riparian buffer along the creek. Currently we are in the design phase of our educational building. We are working toward a design that would enable us to obtain LEED certification. We will also be renovating the existing parking lot with a permeable surface lot and looking at installing a rain garden near the parking area. Through this project I have been recognized as an Environmental Leader in the Erie community.

I have also been involved in the City of Erie Urban Forest Committee, helping to have the Shade Tree Ordinance reinstated.

When elected to the House of Representatives I will continue to provide environmental leadership both in Congress and in the 3rd District of Pennsylvania. Since I already have a strong reputation in the community as an environmentalist, I have the contacts with other environmental leaders. I will be able to build on those relationships. My focus will be on solving the energy crisis by finding renewable sources for our energy needs. I believe our nation must take the lead globally in solving the energy crisis and in addressing climate change.

I have looked at the tire plant issue over the past months and have not been convinced that it is a good use of the land at the IP site or good for the environment of our region. I am concerned about job creation in this region but not at the expense of the health and well being of our citizens. The potential loss of jobs at existing businesses and damage to existing industries must be taken into consideration. We need to encourage jobs that are both good for the economy and good for the environment.

As for the Allegheny National Forest, I would be honored to sponsor legislation that would expand the Allegheny National Forest wilderness designation to bring it more in line with other Eastern national forests.

TRADE
Fast Track and Free Trade now appear to have not only cost millions of American jobs and destroyed thousands of American workplaces, they have also caused capital flight and a decline in our nation's position in the world economy. What are you willing to do to reverse this trend and to move towards fair trade to protect our working people?

There is no question that NAFTA & CAFTA have caused considerable negative impact to our region. I believe we must renegotiate these trade agreements immediately in a way that is both fair and equitable. We must ensure that the agreements are fair in terms of human rights, quality control and tariffs. I would also like to address the tax laws that make it beneficial for American companies to invest overseas. I believe that we should be giving preference to American companies that bid on government projects. We need to boost opportunities for our workers and guarantee FAIR trade.

FREEDOM
LEAD values individual rights ensured by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, especially freedom of conscience and the principle of church-state separation. Do you affirm such rights? How will they guide your decisions on federal legislation?

I support the Constitution in full, including of course the First Amendment. I believe in the separation of church and state and will always be aware of this and all the amendments when making decisions.

REPRODUCTIVE ISSUES
What is your stand on abortion?

I am pro-life.

DEATH PENALTY
Do you favor a repeal of the death penalty?

I support a repeal of the death penalty, a continuation of my pro-life stance.

MILITARY
In view of the marked deterioration of our armed forces in the past 6 years, and the resulting risk of terrorist attacks to the United States, would you favor a military draft?

At this time, I do not favor a military draft. I do however favor improving the pay and benefits of our military personnel and of our veterans. These benefits include, but are not limited to, improved health care, disability insurance, increased home ownership opportunities, reduction in homelessness among veterans and enhanced education funding. I also support funding to add additional personnel within the VA system to reduce the backlog of claims.

ECONOMY
What would you propose to correct the declining U.S. economy?

This is a complex issue that will require attacks on many fronts. Among the key items we must address are:
o Lowering taxes for the middle class
o Addressing our spiraling debt and working towards a balanced budget
o Investing in new technologies that will spur new industries and job growth
o Provide incentives to businesses who keep and grow their operations in the US and remove tax advantages that result in business moving overseas
o Improving educational opportunities for all, from pre-K to college

OTHER
What else would you like to let people know about you?

I am a lifelong democrat who has always believed in the values of the Democratic Party. I am not a career politician, but a concerned citizen who is determined to lead our nation in a new direction. I believe that the depth and breadth of my experience will allow me to best represent the citizens of this district and country. I am a small business owner, civic and community leader and mother of five. I understand the struggles that families face everyday, because I have personally gone through them. I will work to create an environment that encourages investment and job growth, that takes care of our children, the elderly, the poorest among us and the working poor. I will strive everyday to leave our world safer and stronger, cleaner and brighter than we currently find it.

Kathy Dahlkemper for Congress is a certified carbon neutral campaign.

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