Editor’s Note: The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County interviewed candidates for San Diego area Congressional seats. Over the coming week, San Diego Jewish World will present the texts of these Q&A sessions, race by race. We start today with the 49th Congressional District, presenting the answers of Republican incumbent Darrell Issa followed by the answers of Democratic challenger Jerry Tetalman.
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Congressman Darrell Issa, Republican incumbent
Q: What has been your involvement with the Jewish community of San Diego?
I am fortunate to have been able to build and maintain relationships with leaders in the Jewish community over the tenure of my service in the House of Representatives. I am grateful to have the support and counsel of Dan Schwimmer, Gideon Goren, and Julian Josephson, and to have been informed by so many others through constructive dialogue with AIPAC and FIDF.
2. If you are elected this year, do you commit to being available to and regularly meeting with members of the San Diego Jewish community in your district and/or Washington offices in 2013 and 2014?
Yes. I look forward to an ongoing dialogue and to attending community events both here and in the nation’s capital.
3. San Diego is an incredibly diverse community religiously, racially, ethnically, etc; what are some ways that you as a local leader on a national stage can help bring these communities together?
As an American of Lebanese origin, I certainly think of myself as part of the diversity. I grew up in the predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Cleveland Heights and one of my first jobs was delivering packages for a kosher butcher. As someone who has lived the American dream, I want to help diverse communities to come to a common conclusion: opportunity exists in every corner of this nation. In Congress, we need work to ensure that we’re growing our economy, keeping high-paying jobs in this country, and ensuring that all Americans feel vested in our nation’s success.
4. What is your position on the separation of church and state?
Our founding fathers were wise to include a level of separation between the institutions of state and religion in the First Amendment that had been absent in other western nation states. At the same time, however, I do not believe that our founding fathers ever intended to create a nation devoid of God or religion.
5. What is the role of government in relation to those in need, or in poverty, particularly children, in the United States?
In this recession, our safety net programs have provided vital support for families and many Americans facing economic hardship. Simultaneously, we need to ensure that safety net programs aren’t abused and the benefits are received by those who are truly in need – and families with children should be a top priority.
6. What is the role of the federal government in relation to the healthcare system in the United States?
Our healthcare policy needs to focus on ensuring the availability of affordable and quality healthcare while preserving incentives for innovation. Obamacare is not the answer. I have proposed an alternative to insuring more Americans, H.R. 429. My bill would allow all Americans to access to the same high-quality plans members of Congress and the President have. This plan allows choice and competition, portability across state lines and from job to job, and covers pre-existing conditions without raising taxes or adding significantly to the deficit.
7. What industries do you believe San Diego should work on attracting for the future? What specific efforts will you as a member of the United States Congress make to impact this issue?
San Diego must continue to build on its strengths — location, education, and innovative professionals. The ports and access to international travel make the area ideal for global industries that rely on trade. The number of highly educated individuals make San Diego attractive to biotech, hi-tech and communications companies. Many business owners tell me if it weren’t for these unique features, they would leave California for states whose governments have actually fostered more business friendly environments. Congress must reduce bureaucratic red tape, reform the tax system, free the credit market to begin lending again, and instill certainty and predictability so that business owners may plan and invest for the future.
8. What is your position on 1) the future of the Medicaid system and 2) turning Medicaid into a capped block grant program?
Unfortunately, Obamacare will put millions of Americans onto the Medicaid system further burdening state budgets and forcing more Americans to rely on a substandard level of care. This path cannot be sustained without significant reform. Block grants are one option that should be considered.
9. Mexico is a wonderful country, and its relationship with the US is strong and mutually beneficial with many positive implications for San Diego and the nation. It is also complex and there are local and national concerns in terms of the environment, immigration and drug related violence. What should the United States Congress do about these issues?
This Congress, I led an investigation into a flawed and reckless Justice Department effort called Operation Fast and Furious that sought to allow smugglers to bring weapons into Mexico in the hopes that their reappearance at crime scenes would lead agents to cartel bosses. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t work. In our investigation, one of the things we found that really bothered Mexican officials was a total lack of honesty from U.S. officials about what had happened. We need to have more cooperation and recognize that while we may sometimes have to make national decisions that aren’t popular in Mexico, we always need to be honest with our partners on the other side of the border.
10. What, if anything, do you believe is necessary to further strengthen the relationship between the United States and Israel and promote peace between Israel and its neighbors, particularly the Palestinians?
The United States needs to do more to support Palestinians who favor peace and, as difficult as it is, we must reengage in efforts to negotiate a final settlement. Israel and the United States have a special relationship: we need to strengthen and maintain security, economic, and cultural ties.
11. What steps should the United States take to promote US peace with the Arab world?
First, we need to continue to reiterate the point that the war against terrorism is not a war against Islam. Second, we must demonstrate support for real advocates of democracy while recognizing that some, who just seek power, will merely talk the talk. Third, we need to show a continued commitment to justice and values that separate us from corrupt regimes and intolerant extremists.
12. What do you believe the United States government should do about Iran?
The best way to prevent the need for military intervention is to convince Iran that we will do so if necessary. I don’t believe we are being successful with this strategy now and we shouldn’t abdicate our allies and interests. Iran’s nuclear problem is a serious concern, but Iran also spreads violence and hate across the Middle East through its support for Hezbollah and other extremists. We must not turn a blind-eye to Iran’s many unacceptable actions in midst of efforts to address its nuclear program.
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Jerry Tetalman, Democratic challenger
1. What has been your involvement with the Jewish community of San Diego?
I support Jewish communities everywhere, including my hometown of Carlsbad.
2. If you are elected this year, do you commit to being available to and regularly meeting with members of the San Diego Jewish community in your district and/or Washington offices in 2013 and 2014?
Yes, absolutely.
3. San Diego is an incredibly diverse community religiously, racially, ethnically, etc; what are some ways that you as a local leader on a national stage can help bring these communities together?
As a member and past president of the California Chapter of Citizens for Global Solutions, I have worked for world peace and stability through laws, not war. I have also written a book on the subject: One World Democracy: A Progressive Vision for Enforceable Global Law. I have a core belief in peace, justice and tolerance.
4. What is your position on the separation of church and state?
The First Amendment guarantees it, I support it, but that freedom has eroded over the years. That freedom extends to women’s rights to health care choices, which was threatened earlier this year in the Congressional contraception debate, when Republicans tried to limit it.
5. What is the role of government in relation to those in need, or in poverty, particularly children, in the United States?
Government has an important, pro-active role to play in social and welfare programs that protect our most vulnerable citizens, adults and children alike.
6. What is the role of the federal government in relation to the healthcare system in the United States?
Healthcare should be a human right. I support ObamaCare, but believe we should go a step further and institute a single-payer system.
7. What industries do you believe San Diego should work on attracting for the future? What specific efforts will you as a member of the United States Congress make to impact this issue?
I support the innovation and technology development that has fueled San Diego County’s economy. I believe our education system, K-12 and post-secondary should be increasingly supported to develop student skills in STEM areas, as well as R&D at the university level.
8. What is your position on 1) the future of the Medicaid system and 2) turning Medicaid into a capped block grant program?
Medicaid and its beneficiaries should be protected. Block grant schemes are just a license for states to cut and kill social medical programs.
9. Mexico is a wonderful country, and its relationship with the US is strong and mutually beneficial with many positive implications for San Diego and the nation. It is also complex and there are local and national concerns in terms of the environment, immigration and drug related violence. What should the United States Congress do about these issues?
We should support Mexican businesses and the building of a strong middle class in Mexico, while protecting the environment and stopping the drug cartel from its destructive influences.
10. What, if anything, do you believe is necessary to further strengthen the relationship between the United States and Israel and promote peace between Israel and its neighbors, particularly the Palestinians?
America’s special relationship with Israel should be strengthened, and peace should always be a priority.
11. What steps should the United States take to promote US peace with the Arab world?
Be pro-active for peace and the rule of law.
12. What do you believe the United States government should do about Iran?
Work for peace and stability, not war.
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Next: The 50th Congressional District pitting Republican incumbent Duncan Hunter against Democratic challenger David Secor