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| John Koster, Republican |
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| Candidate: U.S. Representative, District 2 |
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| John Koster |
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| Age: 48 |
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| Residence: Arlington |
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| Occupation: |
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No response |
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| Education: |
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A.A. in general studies, Everett Community College |
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| Political history: |
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State representative |
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| Endorsements: |
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U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses and National Electrical Contractors Association |
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| Campaign Web site: www.koster2000.com |
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| Campaign theme: |
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Courage, compassion and common sense. |
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| 1. |
Should Congress act to lower the cost of prescription drugs? If so, should Congress create a Medicare drug benefit? |
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Medicare is a vital program that we must simplify, strengthen and save. Benefit packages must be modernized to keep up with advances in medicine and prescription drugs. I would also support efforts to encourage innovation and competition to keep premiums low. |
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| 2. |
Should the Snake River dams be torn down and timber harvests limited to protect endangered species? |
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We can save our salmon without breaching our dams and destroying a valuable source of clean and renewable power to our region. Salmon runs can return to their historic levels if we rely on sound science, technology, predator management, harvest control, and involve the community in habitat-restoration efforts. |
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| 3. |
Should new laws be enacted to prevent businesses from sharing consumers' personal information? |
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In the state Legislature, I supported legislation restricting the way financial institutions can share and sell personal information. The same applies to your medical records, employment records and your Social Security number. No one should give these items of information to any individual, government agency or company without your consent. |
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| 4. |
Are the nation's gun laws too restrictive, too lenient or appropriate as they are? |
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We need to enforce the law and protect the innocent from violent criminals. In this process we must not take away the constitutional rights of honest citizens. You have a guaranteed right to protect your family and yourself. |
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| 5. |
Should America be trading with China and/or Cuba? Why? |
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Our trade policy must not in any way compromise the sovereignty or security of the United States. I support efforts to promote economic growth by reducing trade barriers -- not by creating new ones. One out of every four jobs in Washington state is dependent on trade. |
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| 6. |
Do you favor or oppose access to abortion? Should the president appoint justices who oppose abortion rights? |
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I am pro-life. I believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all. The president should appoint judges who strictly adhere to the original intent of the founders who wrote our Constitution. |
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| 7. |
Should the government pay to give school vouchers to parents who choose to send their children to private schools? |
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I support scholarships, tax credits and savings accounts to offer families the means to send their children to the school of their choice -- public, private or home school. It's time common sense, not politics, drives efforts to improve our schools. |
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| 8. |
Is there any project in Washington that deserves more federal support? How would you secure that funding? |
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We have a transportation crisis and we need solutions now. Traffic gridlock can be improved through innovation, new technologies, and needed investments in roads and other types of transportation infrastructure. Taxes paid at the gas pump must be spent solely on transportation needs. |
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| 9. |
What should Congress do to shore up Social Security? |
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Social Security must be strengthened to provide long-term security for recipients and a decent rate of return for our children and grandchildren. I also support the Social Security lockbox that prevents Congress from spending the Social Security trust fund. No longer will IOUs from Congress suffice. |
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| 10. |
How would you extend healthcare coverage to more Americans? |
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I support increasing health-care choices and providing economic incentives that enables more individuals to afford health insurance. Individuals are best served when they are able to make informed choices. We must address the increasing cost of health care, access to quality care and patient choices. |
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