The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on Qualifications, Pressing Issue, Federal Deficit, Health Care, Public Transportation, Patriot Act

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Charles W. Sanders:

Party: Democrat Residence: Waynesville Marital Status: Married (Carolyn) (Prev.) Occupation: Public Official Prev. Political Exp.: Mayor of Waynesville, 1996-2000 Military Service: USA, 1964-67 Education: BS Wilmington College, 1972 Birthdate: 5/12/1947 Birthplace: Harveysburg, OH Religion: Baptist Committee: Committee to Elect Charles W. Sanders

Answer from Jeff Sinnard:

I have a Bachelors of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering. My training has prepared me to find solutions to complex problems. I have worked with and for many state, local and federal agencies. I have seen both the efficiencies and inefficiencies in the current system of doing business. As a practicing engineer, I have experience managing both staff and projects. I have been personally responsible for management on major portions of multimillion-dollar projects. My background in transportation gives me a unique understanding of public infrastructure projects. I have no previous political experience. I consider that an asset.

Answer from James John Parker:

My name is Jim Parker and I believe in the American Dream. This campaign is about God, Family, Medicare, Social Security and the American Dream. I've been the Assistant Administrator of two hospitals. My leadership and healthcare experience has prepared me to strengthen the Medicare and Social Security systems.

Answer from Victoria "Vicky" (Wells) Wulsin:

As the only candidate with a career dedicated to public policy, I am best qualified to bring solutions to Congress that improve the lives of people here in southwest Ohio. As a public health physician of 25 years, working with thousands of patients on Social Security, and navigating through the local and national issues of Medicaid and Medicare, I have the technical grasp of two crucial issues affecting the citizens of southwest Ohio: health care and Social Security. As the third Democratic physician in the House of Representatives I will provide much-needed perspective on other related issues, such as stem-cell research, quality of life, and the right to privacy. I have directed multi-million dollar international projects, including a successful worldwide program promoting the health of women and children, even after George W. Bush refused to allow funds to be used for family planning in developing countries.

Answer from Victoria "Vicky" (Wells) Wulsin:

I'm running for office because I've seen the current administration's lack of progress on finding real solutions to the major problems facing Americans. Ohio families need more access to affordable health care, their government to keep its promise on Social Security, and the creation of new jobs through a growing economy and balanced budget. I'm a public health doctor and I have spent my life developing solutions to the health care needs of communities here in southern Ohio and around the world. In Congress, I'll take the same results-oriented approach to bring real change to government.

Answer from James John Parker:

1) MEDICARE - Who do you think will solve the problems of the Medicare System; politicians and lawyers or the healthcare leadership expert in this campaign. I've spent my life improving healthcare, communities and people's lives.

2) SOCIAL SECURITY - Washington needs to quit playing politics with people's lives. I don't believe in politics. I believe in people. The problems with Social Security can be solved by strengthening our economy and putting more people to work. We must help small businesses succeed. We should expand the Medicare program to all Americans aged 55 and older to help small businesses with expensive healthcare costs and allow them to create more economic opportunities for people.

3) My wife and I have three children. I'll write legislation that will be good for Ohio families. I will always be able to look you and my family in the eye and say that I stood up for the AMERICAN DREAM.

Answer from Jeff Sinnard:

I will work aggressively in Congress to develop a comprehensive and consistent ethic of life. I endorse a reverence for human life and dignity from conception until natural death. I believe that any true position in affirmation of life must extend beyond birth. All issues of life and death, such as, capital punishment, euthanasia, hunger and war, must be viewed in the context of this ethic of life.

I will advocate for small business as the major force for growth in the economy. I will work to level the playing field between small business and large corporations. I will work for a shift in the tax code to reward employment over wealth.

I will strive to remove the corrupting influence of money in the politics of Washington. By showing a new paradigm for public service based on ideas and conviction, not fund raising and campaign coffers.

Answer from Victoria "Vicky" (Wells) Wulsin:

There is no excuse for the blatant disregard for the fiscal responsibility exhibited in Washington today. The national debt is rapidly approaching eight trillion dollars, and averages to a $26,000 debt per American. We cannot allow this increasing burden to be passed on to our children. We are wasting money by insisting on staying in Iraq without multinational support. We need to reverse the Bush tax cuts that give almost half a trillion dollars to the wealthiest 1%. We need to stop subsidizing companies that outsource jobs, and we need to cut the bureaucratic waste from government.

Answer from James John Parker:

The most important thing that we can do is strengthen our economy. The government has a responsibility to do everything in it's power to stimulate economic growth. I am opposed to an increase in personal income tax. Taxes are bad for economic growth. Raising the income tax will only make it more difficult for families to build their own economic futures.

The government has spent money like a bunch of drunken sailors. Government spending must be closely scrutinized. Government waste must be eliminated.

We currently have the most reckless and fiscally irresponsible group of politicians in American history. They have spent your money like a bunch of drunken sailors. Let's send a message to Washington that somebody who is not a lawyer, not a politician and who has never run for political office before is going to clean up the mess that they have worked so hard to create.

Answer from Jeff Sinnard:

Today's budget deficit is a crushing burden that we leave to future generations. I do not believe that either tax increases or cuts to social programs are needed. Government spending is out of control. We all know there is waste in the budget. Congress should aggressively encourage cost savings.

We need to look at all spending and all revenue for improvement. No program can be sacred. For example, discretionary defense spending has grown disproportionately to what is needed to fight the war on terrorism. A strong military is needed to protect the American people and the American way of life. But our military needs to reflect the world of today. After the Cold War we failed to recover the peace dividend. We continue to fund programs such as missile defense, the Virginia-class attack submarine, and the DD(X) destroyer that are out of touch with the current mission of the military.

Answer from James John Parker:

Medicare and Social Security are two programs which are at the heart of the American Dream. Our entire economy depends upon the success of these programs. Medicare and Social Security make up 40% of the federal budget, not including the hidden budgetary costs of the war in Iraq.

If you send me to the United States House of Representatives, I will not care about money, power, political parties, personal agendas. But I will always work to strengthen and guarantee the security of the Medicare and Social Security programs.

Who do you believe is most qualified to solve the problems of the Medicare and Social Security programs; the politicians and lawyers or the healthcare expert in this campaign? Let's send a message to Washington that we don't like it when they play politics with people's lives. Medicare and Social Security are being whittled away, piece by piece. Medicare and Social Security will always be protected if I am your Congressman.

Answer from Jeff Sinnard:

We should be moving toward universal health care. As the only industrialized nation without a single-payer health care system, we need to get serious. As for the specifics, here is what I would do. First find some healthcare and medical experts much smarter than me. Then I would listen and ask questions. Then I would implement those suggestions that make sense for America and the people of the 2nd district.

Answer from Victoria "Vicky" (Wells) Wulsin:

The federal government has an obligation to make sure that every American has affordable, accessible health care. I know that we must provide affordable health care for all Ohioans. As Cincinnati's public health doctor, I fought outbreaks of disease and directed prevention programs to keep communities healthy. Backed by twenty-five years of public service, I have the medical and policy experience needed to enact progressive health care legislation in Congress.

a.. Drive down the cost of prescription drugs by allowing reimportation from Canada and shortening the amount of time drug companies hold monopolies.
b.. Set limits on unwarranted medical lawsuits that inflate the cost of care.
c.. Reduce the cost of Medicaid through prevention and early treatment

Answer from Victoria "Vicky" (Wells) Wulsin:

The strength of the economy depends on good transportation. I support efforts to develop transportation infrastructure in all parts of District 2. In particular, I support extending highway systems to counties east of Cincinnati, to Portsmouth in particular. I also support developing public transportation to help reduce pollution and allow those without cars to be able to commute to and from work.

Answer from Jeff Sinnard:

As a highway engineer I can tell you that it is impossible to build your way out of congestion with roads alone. Multi-modal transportation options are required to move America and the Second District beyond the current situation.

Answer from Victoria "Vicky" (Wells) Wulsin:

A balance needs to be struck between the need to prevent terrorism and the need to protect civil liberties. Certain parts of the Patriot Act have gone too far and overstepped the constitutional protections due to Americans. In our eagerness to protect our country, we cannot forget what it is that makes the United States so great.

Answer from Jeff Sinnard:

The USA Patriot Act should be allowed to sunset. The act was instituted in a time of great fear and apprehension. We need to move beyond fear and recover the America we all knew before 9/11.

Answer from James John Parker:

The safety and security of America is at risk. This was proven to us unexpectedly on September 11th. We must always guarantee the safety of all Americans

One of the greatest challenges that we face as a nation is how to end the terrible conflict in Iraq while, at the same time, protecting the freedom of the Iraqi people. When we finally bring our soldiers home, we should use the military to strengthen the protection of our borders. We are at risk, even to this day and should do everything in our power to protect American freedom and our way of life.

There are provisions of the Patriot Act which must be protected. There is a responsibility in government to assure that our first lines of defense are always strong. We must support federal funding to local communities, police departments, schools and healthcare organizations in order to always remain strong.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.