Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of interviews with congressional candidates conducted by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County. In the 50th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Duncan Hunter is opposed by Democratic challenger David Secor. We’ll start with the incumbent’s interview and move on to the challenger:
U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, 50th Congressional District incumbent:
1. What has been your involvement with the Jewish community of San Diego?
As a member of Congress, I have great respect and appreciation for San Diego’s Jewish community. And I make it a priority to remain visible and accessible to the community, given that we share common interests and goals. Any event, forum or meeting where I can focus on promoting issues important to the Jewish community, including protecting Israel’s national security interests worldwide and fostering a cooperative and reliable U.S.-‐ Israel diplomatic and military relationship, I always am sure to remind audiences of my unwavering support.
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?
Absolutely. My office has always been open to members of the Jewish community and, as long as I have the honor and privilege to serve in Congress, I have every intention to maintain open lines of communication.
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?
One of San Diego’s defining characteristics is its diversity. People of different faiths and backgrounds have built a reputation for good will and charity. For the national stage, I believe one of the best things we can do is get this economy growing, allowing for job creation at the local level, and ensuring people are receiving the paychecks to provide for their families and stay active in their respective communities. People of all types integrate and communicate in the workplace, at school and among their neighbors, and it’s important that everyone has the same opportunity to succeed-which can be facilitated through a thriving economy.
4. What is your position on the separation of church and state? The First Amendment is the cornerstone of the basic rights and liberties guaranteed to every American. Ensuring that Americans have the right to the freedom of religion and expression is absolutely critical to the function of our democracy. At the same time, it’s important that the First Amendment is not used as a tool to limit expression and religion- whether by courts or government.
5. What is the role of government in relation to those in need, or in poverty, particularly children, in the United States?
In this case, government’s essential role is to provide adequate safety nets and assistance to those who need the most help. However, it’s also important that we help Americans transition and succeed, instead of creating or solidifying a sense of dependency that can discourage self-improvement. For children in particular, the best thing we can do is provide quality education, available to all, and establish quality role models beyond support structures in the home that help motivate children and encourage them to maximize their full potential. The federal government can assist states, through funding and other mechanisms, to tailor programs that serve these interests and provide children access to the opportunities they need to develop into healthy and productive adults.
6. What is the role of the federal government in relation to the healthcare system in the United States?
Under the context of the existing health care system, the federal government needs to take an entirely different approach to what’s represented by the Affordable Care Act. This means controlling costs by addressing the real cost drivers in health care, such as limiting malpractice abuse, eliminating fraud, and allowing patients to purchase insurance across state lines- thus increasing competition. My belief is that the federal government should ensure access to quality, affordable care, for every American, without raising taxes or imposing mandates that will hurt job creation and constrain family incomes.
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 is a center for production and innovation. Restoring commercial manufacturing, in addition to strengthening defense manufacturing, will put San Diego on an economic fast track. San Diego is also strong in the biotech industry and will remain a leader in this industry well into 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?
Preserving Medicaid is absolutely necessary but, on the current course, with insolvency ahead, the program is under enormous constraints and faces a serious threat. We need to reform Medicaid while ensuring states remain at the forefront of program service and implementation. I’m certainly open to reviewing proposals that are consistent with a market-based approach that does not impose costly restrictions and mandates by the federal government.
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?
The best approach toward Mexico is stay engaged on multiple fronts especially as it relates to border security and cross-border violence. But it’s also necessary that we address the problems on our Southwest border and the problems arising with illegal immigration through Mexico. A strong position on these issues will incentive Mexico to more aggressively confront the challenges with its own economy and workforce-instead of relying on the U.S. as a backstop.
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?
Israel’s security and right to self-defense is non-negotiable. The U.S. rightly provides military and foreign aid to Israel as both our foremost friend and ally in the region. Through a position of strength and international alliances, Israel, much like the U.S., is capable of sending a powerful message to its neighbors and adversaries.
11. What steps should the United States take to promote US peace with the Arab world?
Staying diplomatically engaged with our Arab partners is necessary. But it’s also important that we promote peace through strength- standing firm with our friends while emphasizing that any breach of trust or provocation will undoubtedly impair friendships and support among nations.
12. What do you believe the United States government should do about Iran?
With respect to Iran, it’s important that the U.S. stand firmly behind Israel while applying the strongest economic and political pressure. Meanwhile, we must not limit our options for response- ensuring Iran is fully aware that we will not allow them to secure nuclear technology and threaten global stability.
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David Secor, Democratic challenger:
DAVID SECOR – 50TH DISTRICT
1. What has been your involvement with the Jewish community of San Diego?
I am not involved in any faith-based organizations.
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 am committed to be available to all constituents and interest groups in the district, both here and in Washington. Our current congressman, Duncan Hunter II, is known for his lack of availability. He ignores the fact that he is the people’s employee. He said as much on May 19th. He votes according to his extremist ideology and said if the voters don’t agree they should vote him out.
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?
20% of my salary will go to non-profit organizations and education in this district. I will contribute to, endorse and publicize organizations that promote diversity, and encourage communication, understanding and good will among all communities.
4. What is your position on the separation of church and state?
I agree with both Jesus and Thomas Jefferson. Separation of religion and government is vital in protecting the Constitutional rights of our citizens. To the degree that religion and politics are joined, that is the degree to which each is poisoned by the other.
5. What is the role of government in relation to those in need, or in poverty, particularly children, in the United States?
We’ve seen the gap between the rich and poor widen at an ever-increasing rate over the last 30 years reaching levels not seen since 1929 and still growing. I do believe in the “social contract.” 1 in 4 children now live in poverty. We must move to universal healthcare as quickly as possible. Israel, for example, has universal healthcare spending 8.5% of GDP. Even with the ACA, 30 million Americans have no healthcare and depend on emergency rooms for primary care. We spend 18% of GDP on this broken system. Healthcare is a basic right. We must also see there is funding to provide meals for poor children at their schools. Shifting priorities from the military to jobs and education and training will improve the economy and lift more families out of poverty.
6. What is the role of the federal government in relation to the healthcare system in the United States?
I do support the ACA as an improvement, but it’s clear that we must have universal healthcare. It’s much cheaper, averaging 10-12% GDP vs. our spending of 18% of GDP on a system that provides less and poorer care at much higher cost. The health and longevity found in nations with universal healthcare says it all.
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?
The San Diego area must continue to be a center for research and development. The U.S. currently spends a measly 2.5% of GDP on infrastructure (from an earlier average of 5.6%). China, realizing its importance, spends 15%. We currently rank 23rd in the world in infrastructure quality. San Diego county must become a national center for green energy. By funding R&D, funding and encouraging public-private partnerships in solar and bio-fuels, assisting our community colleges and universities to be a major part in this move to real energy independence, the federal government can ensure progress is made at an ever-increasing pace.
8. What is your position on 1) the future of the Medicaid system and 2) turning Medicaid into a capped block grant program?
No to Medicaid as a capped block grant program. Medicaid is an essential part of our healthcare system that must be funded adequately until we have universal healthcare.
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?
The U.S. “War on Drugs” has been a complete disaster at all metrics. 50,000 deaths in Mexico since 2006 due to drug-related violence. With 2% of the world popoulation, the U.S. has 25% of the world’s jail population. Mostly non-violent drug convictions with half of those for marijuana offenses. Both Mexico and the U.S. will benefit if we remove cannabis from the federal list of Class 1 narcotics (like heroin). It will reduce corruption, cartel violence, and the untold billions we waste on the arrest, prosecution and encarceration of marijuana users. It would also allow for the reintroduction of hemp farming, a boon to small farmers and manufacturers of the many valuable hemp-based products.
We have failed to adequately address environmental issues on both sides of the border. We should encourage and cooperate with Mexico to make environmental protection a true priority in all our activities both governmental and private.
Congress must also finally hammer out a comprehensive immigration policy addressing both border issues and the 12 million undocumented across the country. I support the Dream Act, oppose E-Verify as too expensive and ineffective. We must differentiate between those who want to become citizens, those who want to stay as resident aliens, and those who come to work for some period and then return to their countries of origin. We can compromise on a policy that will work and will be acceptable to the American people.
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?
Our relations with both Israel and the Palestinians would improve if we were more even-handed toward Palestinians. The area must not remain an open festering wound. Pandering politicians and evangelical world-enders in the U.S., haters and warmongers in all three countries must be muzzled so that those Israelis and Palestinians, the vast majorities people of respect and goodwill, can find a lasting solution.
11. What steps should the United States take to promote US peace with the Arab world?
As long as the Arab world sees the U.S. as Israel’s bodyguard and co-conspirator in the oppression of Palestinians specifically and Muslims in general it will be extremely difficult. Special interests in Iran, the Arab countries, Israel and the U.S. inflame passions among the right-wing activists in all areas. We must not react impulsively to every event as terrorists and simply angry groups will demonstrate and sometimes attack. These random events must be called what they are and not be the cause for military action of scale.
12. What do you believe the United States government should do about Iran?
Under no circumstances should the U.S. strike Iran. The U.S. must also insist that Israel not attack unilaterally. Any attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would only delay, not eliminate Iran’s nuclear program. Further, though the Iranian government and mullahs are radical, they are neither insane nor suicidal. They know Israel has a great many nuclear weapons and that Iran would be vaporized were it to attack Israel. Much of the heat about war is ginned up by both governments to take their people’s attention off their bad economies. The right wing in Israel might be anxious to go, but any attack on Iran would spark a regional conflict on a scale that would make Iran and Afghanistan look like a student scuffle during recess.
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Preceding provided by the Jewish Community Relations Council of San Diego County and reprinted with permission.