DavidNYC has a post on the front page calling for nominations to receive an Orange to Blue endorsement.
Many of you have already nominated me for an endorsement and I am deeply touched by the outpouring of support. Part of the endorsement process this year is to answer questions about issues important to the netroots. Since this is one of the best communities out there, I wanted to make sure you all got a chance to read my answers as I continue running for United States Senate in North Carolina.
This was a last minute diary, so I couldn't block out some time to live chat with all of you. I promise there will be opportunities to talk further before the primary. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments and I'll try and come back later and answer them. Thank you for your continued support.
Link to the questions:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Do you support:
a) A public health insurance option, offered by the federal government and tied to Medicare reimbursement rates plus 5% (H.R. 3200 § 223, as introduced in the House)?
b) The Public Option Act (H.R. 4789), which would allow all citizens to buy into Medicare?
I have been a strong supporter of the public option since day one. That includes a Medicare option.
Do you support the Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 1409/S. 560), including the provision known as "card check"?
I am a union member (SEANC/SEIU 2008) and I support the Employee Free Choice Act.
Do you support a repeal of the policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (10 U.S.C. § 654)?
If people are willing to serve, we should honor them. I'm one of only two candidates who even mentions this important issue on my website. I firmly believe that this abhorrent policy should be repealed.
Do you agree that any immigration reform bill should:
a) Contain a meaningful path to citizenship - one that does not include overly-punitive fines or a touchback requirement - for law-abiding undocumented immigrants currently in the United States;
b) Ensure that expanded legal permanent immigration, rather than expansion of temporary worker programs, serves as the United States' primary external answer to workforce shortages; and
c) Ensure that any non-agricultural temporary worker programs maintain current caps on the total number of non-agricultural temporary worker visas issued, and also include a meaningful prevailing wage requirement keyed to the Service Contract Act and Davis-Bacon Act?
Immigration reform is a complex, emotional issue that has been used to create deep division in this country. It is finally time to pass meaningful, comprehensive immigration reform that addresses: enforcement of laws already on the books, a legitimate path for law-abiding undocumented immigrants, and securing our borders and ports. Any reform package that doesn't do that, won't have my support.
Do you think Congress should act to suspend regulation of greenhouse gas emissions by the Environmental Protection Agency?
Global climate change is one of the most serious environmental and national security issues we face and swift action is required immediately. We have to put forth a serious energy policy that will reduce the pollution that causes global warming and lessen our dependence on foreign oil. This topic itself probably calls for a full diary, so I'll point you to my policy paper on energy and the environment for more information:
http://www.elainemarshall.com/...
If elected to the House, do you pledge not to join the Blue Dog Coalition?
Yes. I wouldn't join a Senate equivalent.
If elected to the Senate, do you pledge to restore majority rule to the Senate and work/vote to end the filibuster?
I won't pledge to end the filibuster, but I will pledge to reform it in order to restore the Senate to working order. For instance, I think Senator Harkin has introduced an interesting plan where the number of Senators needed to break a filibuster reduces each time there is a vote. I'm also a big supporter of making them filibuster rather than simply folding to the threat every time.
Learn more:
http://ElaineMarshall.com
Make a contribution:
http://ElaineMarshall.com/...
Become a fan on Facebook:
http://Facebook.com/...