Questions and answers for each candidate in breakouts
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Danny Basham Q&A” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Republicans in Congress are attempting to repeal Obamacare. Do you think Obamacare should be repealed and why?
No. While I didn’t like how it was introduced and forced legislatively, it does have good qualities: Insurance for children to age 26, no discrimination for pre-existing conditions. The negatives — higher premiums, cutting hours of employees — can be resolved with non-political effort. Lastly, no one has offered a solid replacement.
As a U.S. representative, how would you work to improve Indiana’s educational system?
You must take politics out of education and let teachers teach. Give states more control over education policies. Some schools no longer require correct spelling, or allow answers to be written in “text” and that has to stop. We need to teach our country and state histories again.
Manufacturers such as Carrier in Indianapolis are leaving the United States, blaming federal regulation for their move to Mexico. What is your stance on business regulation — do you believe business and industry is regulated too much, or not enough?
Some regulation is needed. Anti-trust policies, Fair Labor Standards Act, making sure companies don’t willingly pollute our environment unchecked. Making sure fair wages are paid. I am unsympathetic to business owners and CEOs whose companies make billions of dollars of profit and complain their company is struggling to stay competitive.
There is going to be a new administration coming in — how would you contribute toward support of the new president’s initiatives, whether the new president is Republican or Democrat?
If it is in the best interest of America and Americans, all Americans, and is supported by Indiana’s 6th District constituents, I will support it irregardless of the president’s party.
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Republicans in Congress are attempting to repeal Obamacare. Do you think Obamacare should be repealed and why?
Obamacare should be repealed; it’s a costly taxpayer gravy train for the medical insurance companies. Single payer (national health care) would benefit all and be much less costly. Canada is an excellent example. America is the only industrialized nation without national health care. Nationalize health care. Medicare for all.
As a U.S. representative, how would you work to improve Indiana’s educational system?
Parents, not politicians, should have their say. Are charter schools necessary? Taxpayer money funds these schools. Budget deficits for school systems have to be addressed on local and state levels. Taxpayers (55 percent of us) should not have to guarantee soaring student loans ($1.3 trillion) with 11 percent in default.
Manufacturers such as Carrier in Indianapolis are leaving the United States, blaming federal regulation for their move to Mexico. What is your stance on business regulation — do you believe business and industry is regulated too much, or not enough?
Corporate greed caused this move. Regulations may be good or bad, depending on the situation. Since 2000, there have been 7.3 million higher wage, skilled manufacturing jobs lost. Median income today is $30,144. In 2000 it was $28,268. In 16 years, this increased only $1,876. Blame corporate greed, not regulations.
There is going to be a new administration coming in — how would you contribute toward support of the new president’s initiatives, whether the new president is Republican or Democrat?
This Christian and U.S. Air Force, NATO and anti-war veteran is a populist Democrat. My georgehollandforcongress.com letterhead states: “Putting American families, jobs, seniors and students first; not the war party, war profits, oil profits, AIPAC, Zionist Israel or Wall Street.” Initiatives have to benefit constituents, not special interests.
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Republicans in Congress are attempting to repeal Obamacare. Do you think Obamacare should be repealed and why?
While I would consider tweaks to Obamacare, it should absolutely not be repealed. Republicans should admit to the public that HIP 2.0 is indeed Obamacare and provides coverage to thousands of Hoosiers who would otherwise have no coverage.
As a U.S. representative, how would you work to improve Indiana’s educational system?
I would defend our public school systems by capping state-sponsored and -promoted charter school voucher systems.
Manufacturers such as Carrier in Indianapolis are leaving the United States, blaming federal regulation for their move to Mexico. What is your stance on business regulation — do you believe business and industry is regulated too much, or not enough?
Carrier executives have clearly stated that regulation did not lead to their decision, which was driven solely by low wages. Regulations must be considered on a case-by-case basis. When a regulation is identified that is an unnecessary burden on corporations, then it should be reviewed.
There is going to be a new administration coming in — how would you contribute toward support of the new president’s initiatives, whether the new president is Republican or Democrat?
The current Republican-led Congress has refused to consider the public good in its refusal to compromise on any presidential proposals. Any president’s agenda deserves careful consideration.
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Republicans in Congress are attempting to repeal Obamacare. Do you think Obamacare should be repealed and why?
No.
As a U.S. representative, how would you work to improve Indiana’s educational system?
K-12 education is mainly a state responsibility, although the federal government does provide funds for free and reduced meals and other programs for low-income areas. I would support research funding for universities such as Indiana and Purdue.
Manufacturers such as Carrier in Indianapolis are leaving the United States, blaming federal regulation for their move to Mexico. What is your stance on business regulation — do you believe business and industry is regulated too much, or not enough?
No. I’ve been surprised at some of the mergers the Obama administration has allowed.
There is going to be a new administration coming in — how would you contribute toward support of the new president’s initiatives, whether the new president is Republican or Democrat?
I would have to see what some of the proposals are.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Barry Welsh Q&A” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Republicans in Congress are attempting to repeal Obamacare. Do you think Obamacare should be repealed and why?
The Affordable Care Act was far from what we were promised. Insurance for those with pre-existing conditions is a positive; forcing someone into a program is not. So common sense says there must be adjustments and compromises, but I would not support a total repeal.
As a U.S. representative, how would you work to improve Indiana’s educational system?
I am a product of public schools like many of you, and they are the heartbeat of communities, particularly in rural areas. And as a former public school teacher, they are by far the most underpaid professionals in our land. Demonizing them is wrong and must stop.
Manufacturers such as Carrier in Indianapolis are leaving the United States, blaming federal regulation for their move to Mexico. What is your stance on business regulation — do you believe business and industry is regulated too much, or not enough?
Carrier moving with the excuse of regulations is nonsense. They are moving out of greed. Ten years ago I campaigned shouting, “NAFTA, CAFTA, how much more of the SHAFTA is the American worker going to HAVTA take until we say enough!” It’s time. Contact barrywelsh_usa on Twitter with questions.
There is going to be a new administration coming in — how would you contribute toward support of the new president’s initiatives, whether the new president is Republican or Democrat?
Common sense means listening to ideas from the president regardless of party, and those that benefit the people in my district I would support. It’s about moving America forward, not a political party or an individual. Follow me on Facebook at Barry Welsh for more information.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Danny Basham” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Danny Basham
Party: Democrat
Age: 46
City of residence: Lexington
Occupation: Self employed, retired paramedic
Education: Attended Indiana University Southeast, Ivy Tech
Previous elected offices held (and when) Lexington trustee, 2011-present; Lexington Township Board, 16 years
Previous elected offices sought (and when): None
Community involvement: Lexington Volunteer Fire Department, 26 years; United Way
Immediate family: Wife, Kami Basham; two children
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”George T. Holland” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: George T. Holland: Democrat
Age: 81
City of residence: Rushville
Occupation: Retired
Education: B.S. chemistry/zoology, Butler University, 1961; attended Indiana University School of Medicine, 1958-59
Previous elected offices held (and when): None
Previous elected offices sought (and when): U.S. House of Representatives — 6th District, 1986 Republican primary; 6th District, 1988 Democratic nominee; 6th District, 2008 Libertarian nominee; 6th District, 2010 Democratic primary; 6th District, 2012 Democratic primary
Community service: Active in school activities when his children were of school age, including youth sports coach; deacon and finance committee chairman at Carrollton Avenue United Church of Christ, formerly of Indianapolis; vice president and president of the consistory at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Carmel; deacon at Main Street Christian Church, Rushville.
Immediate family: Wife, Janice; sons, Tom and Chris
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Name: Bruce W. Peavler
Party: Democrat
Age: 52
City of residence: Yorktown
Occupation: Environmental scientist/business owner
Education: B.S. chemistry, Indiana University-Bloomington
Previous elected offices held (and when): None
Previous elected offices sought (and when): None
Community involvement: Member of the League of Women Voters environmental study group, chairman of church stewardship committee
Immediate family: Wife, Audra; four children
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Ralph Spelbring” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Ralph Spelbring
Age: 70
Party: Democrat
City of residence: Elkhart
Occupation: Retired chemist; substitute teacher
Previous elected offices held (and when): None
Previous elected offices sought (and when): U.S. House of Representatives, 6th District, 1992 and 2006; Indiana House of Representatives, 1982; Indiana Senate, 1984
Community involvement: Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union member while employed at Whitehall Laboratories in Elkhart; member of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, 1980s and 1990s
Immediate family: Single, no children
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Barry Welsh” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Barry Welsh
Party: Democrat
Age: 57
City of residence: Everton
Occupation: Freelance writer, reporter and photographer; retired pastor; former CEO of local Big Brothers Big Sisters
Education: Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University; attended United Theological Seminary
Previous elected offices held (and when): None
Previous elected offices sought (and when): Democratic Party nominee for U.S. House of Representatives, 6th District, in 2006 and 2008
Community involvement: Charter signatory of the Knightstown Sons of the American Legion; aid in numerous local organizations
Immediate family: Wife, Sherri; daughters, Kelli and Stephanie
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