Candidate Questionnaire
The following is a letter and questionnaire that I sent to every Republican Candidate for Representative in my Congressional District in this year’s primary election. I will do the same for the candidates in the general election. There is no way for any American citizen to know whether a person once elected to office will address their concerns unless they ask questions. The questions I asked are for my clarification of the candidates character only and hopefully an indication of their future actions if elected. I believe that every concerned citizen of every state and district should examine carefully the candidates that wish to represent them in their government. Every American may have different concerns and yes even a different ideology than mine so their questions may be different than mine, but if the only information and answers about a candidate are those presented by monied interests of the political parties then a true picture of a candidate can never be brought to light. I urge everyone to take the time to question the candidates because, as James Garfield stated in the quote below, “Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress.”
“Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature…[I]f the next centennial does not find us a great nation…it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.” –James Garfield, “A Century of Congress” published in Atlantic, July 1877.
Dear Candidate _____,
I am but an ordinary citizen of the Indiana 7th Congressional District who will be voting in the Republican Primary this May 6th, 2014. I am very concerned about the direction in which this Nation has been moving. I believe as James Garfield said, “Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress.” Since you and your opponents are asking for my vote, I am presenting a series of questions that will help me form an honest opinion of who will be the best candidate to represent me in the Congress of the United States. The same set of questions will be sent to your opponents in this Republican primary and eventually to the winner of the Democrat primary proceeding the general election in November. Your answers are only for my edification and will not be passed on to anyone or ever published without your permission. I believe any viable candidate would want an informed electorate and therefor look forward to your answers to my questions. I have enclosed a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of the questionnaire.>
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Andy Kerl
Please circle your answer
Which President do you believe did more to better life in the United States?
Calvin Coolidge
Woodrow Wilson
NeitherWhich of the following Federal Agencies would you eliminate immediately if you could?
Department of Education
Commerce Department
Homeland Security Department
Environmental Protection Agency
None of the aboveDo you believe it is a function of the Federal Government to provide cradle to grave economic security for every American?
Yes
No
Don’t KnowWhat do you believe to be the gravest threat to the American way of life?
Islamic Terrorists
the National Debt
Educational failure
Federal government policy
all of the above
none of the aboveDo you believe that National Borders are sacrosanct and should be protected?
Yes
No
Don’t knowWhat is your opinion of those who enter the United States improperly or who overstay a visa?
They are illegal aliens and should be deported immediately when found.
They should be allowed to stay but fined and documented without a path to citizenship.
They should pay a fine, receive documentation and eventually become citizens.
None of the above.Do you believe that once a law is passed and new agencies are born of that law that those agencies can ever be eliminated?
Yes
No
Don’t knowDo you believe that the Federal Reserves policy of quantitive easing (Increasing the money supply) is sound monetary policy?
Yes
No
Don’t knowDo you believe that the Federal Reserve should be audited by Congress?
Yes
No
Don’t KnowDo you believe that the oath that every Representative in Congress takes to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States means a Constitution as written or a Constitution as interpreted by the individual.
As written
As interpreted by the individual
Don’t KnowDo you believe it is possible to reduce the size of the Federal Government and still provide adequate service to the American People?
No
Yes
Don’t KnowDo you believe it is worth the cost to the American people to maintain the current level of overseas military installations?
Yes
No
Don’t know.Should the United States Congress pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution?
No
Yes
Don’t KnowShould the United States Congress pass an Amendment to the Constitution that would apply all legislation passed into law equally to all government officials elected and appointed without exception in the same manner they are applied to the People of the United States?
No
Yes
Don’t KnowDo you believe that the sole purpose of any legitimate government is to protect the rights of its citizens?
Yes
No
Don’t Know
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Signed_________________________
