U.S. HOUSE QUESTIONS 2016 David Snyder

U.S. HOUSE QUESTIONS 2016 – David Snyder

Top priority:If elected, what is your top priority for the 2017 Congress? Why are you running for office?

I’m running because I love my country and this area. We need leaders who put the needs of the nation before party. Unfortunately we have a congress that fails to share that belief. Currently congress spends 2 out of every 3 days raising money for re-election instead of doing their job. Governing is hard work. We need a full time congress to deal with the serious issues facing us. Improving the VA, raising wages, reducing the deficit, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and keeping our country safe are all issues that congress has failed to act on while blaming the other side for inaction. As a construction worker, I know that it takes many different skills working together to finish a project. We need a congress that does more than talk and bicker. We need a congress that understands what working families need and works to address those needs.

Foreign affairs:Is the United States tough enough in its foreign policy with regard to its response to terrorism? Are additional measures warranted? Be specific.

There’s always room for improvement but we have to be effective in the changes we make. My opponent supports the “Safe Act” which requires the head of the FBI and Homeland security to personally sign off on 11 million visa’ issued each year. This ridiculous bill would be playing right into the hands of ISSL by shutting down any entrance into our country. It’s an act of surrender.

We need to improve our intelligence gathering to counteract ISSL’s online recruitment. We need to work with communities who are affected by terrorism both here and abroad.

We need to continue to aid those on the front line but we should not increase boots on the ground.

Most importantly we need to show the world why our ideas are better than theirs – how our economy lifts people out of poverty, how our country celebrates diversity and is stronger for it. Freedom is always the answer.

Health care:Health care costs have increased under the Affordable Care Act, and it remains unpopular with many Americans. Would you vote to abolish the Act? Barring that, are there specific reforms you would support?

We have to address the costs of health care. Americans pay far more than any other nation for care and in many cases the outcomes are the same or even worse. Congress blocked Medicare from negotiating bulk drug purchases which costs us billions each year. Insurance companies report record earnings while raising premiums. Executives are paid millions while many of us are unable to pay our deductibles.

We have to start with the courage to recognize that all Americans have a right to affordable health care. We also have to realize that no nation can survive having 17% of its GDP paying for health care. There’s a difference between reasonable profit and gouging, and the insurance and drug companies crossed that line years ago.

Congress needs to worry more about the health of the American people and its economy than about the wealth of its biggest donors.

Education:What role should the federal government play in ensuring that U.S. graduates can compete in the global economy? Are there specific measures that you advocate?

The most important role is to provide funding for any mandates. It must also insure funding for items like special needs students. Ensuring equal access and minority protections is an important role. I’m a strong believer in local control of school districts. I believe in making college affordable with debt relief for those who choose occupation like teaching as a career.

We have the greatest college and university system in the world. It why 600,000 students from around the world study here. But we have to rein in costs. I support free community college, student loan interest rates that match the prime interest rate banks charge each other, and student loans allowed to be refinanced at lower rates. No one should be denied a higher education for economic reasons.

Energy:Do you support current restrictions on domestic oil and natural gas production, or would you like to see them reduced or increased?

I support energy independence. I also believe that local communities should be able to determine whether or not they want these types of enterprises in their area. The Deepwater Horizon disaster shows that some restrictions are necessary. There is no doubt that the future is in clean energy. Minnesota has no oil, gas or coal assets. We have an abundance of bio mass, wind, solar and hydro resources. So a congressperson from Minnesota should be pushing for these types of energy because it benefits Minnesota’s economy – particularly the rural and farming communities.

Debt:Federal entitlements are the main drivers of rising U.S. debt. What specific steps can be taken to keep programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid solvent and still serve those individuals in need?

First I reject that they are the main drivers. We also have the defense budget and the enormous tax loopholes that allow companies like GE, Exxon and even Trump Enterprises to pay no taxes. But I agree that we need to ensure that Social Security stays solvent. We need to remove the income caps on contributing to Social Security and add means testing. Social Security has lifted millions of retirees out of poverty and reducing benefits to our seniors will have an enormous negative impact on our economy.

We need to allow Medicare and Medicaid to negotiate drug purchases – something that is prohibited by congress and that prohibition is supported by our current representative. We need to rein in the ridiculous executive compensation that health providers pay. We pay more for health insurance than any other nation and addressing those costs is the key to solvency.

Transportation:What role should the federal government play in funding state and local transportation infrastructure? Be specific.

It should play a major role. Our economy is based on getting goods to market through roads, rail and air and the more efficient we are the more competitive we are. We are about 3 trillion behind in infrastructure spending just to maintain what we currently have. Congress has failed to provide a long term solution. As a Union Ironworker I know that Infrastructure jobs are American jobs. It pays American wages, helps American communities and allows us to spend more time with our families and less time stuck in traffic.

Economy:What steps do you support to stimulate the growth of jobs?

It’s not just jobs, its jobs that pay a living wage. We are close to full employment but many of these jobs fail to provide enough of an income to buy a home, a car, health insurance, retirement or higher education for our children.

Our economy is dependent on consumption, the ability of the middle class to buy goods and services.

Investing in infrastructure is a great place to start. We need the investment and it pays a living wage to those who perform the work. Making college affordable allows those who take advantage of a higher education to increase their earning potential and contribute more to our economy.

We need a tax policy that encourages profit sharing, raises and bonuses for its employees instead of offshoring and shipping jobs overseas. The problem with our economy isn’t that the wealthy aren’t rich enough. It’s that working families are struggling.

Agriculture:agricultural leaders fear that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will use perceived authority under the Clean Water Act provision Waters of the United States to invoke practices and requirements on private farm land, which could alter future crop production practices and livestock grazing. Do you support the provision? Why or why not?

It’s overly broad and has too much of an impact on family farms. This act was introduced to address the many problems of large feed lots which do require regulation and are a major polluter of our waters.

That being said I believe that we need to support our family farmers and rewrite this regulation.

Immigration:Do America’s immigration laws need to be changed?What should be the tenets of any immigration reform legislation?

Of course they do. We have to address immigration, provide a path to citizenship for those who deserve it, and address the millions of undocumented workers in this country.

We have to realize that we need immigration. Our economy depends on it. A child who has spent their entire life here and in whom we have invested in through education and other means should have a path to citizenship so I support the Dream act.

I’m for strict screening of refugees. But I oppose imposing a religious test. It’s un-American.

I support citizenship for those who serve in our military.

We are a country of immigrants and our current policy is failing.

Foreign trade:Should theTrans-Pacific Partnership be ratified? Be specific in your reasons.

I oppose the TPP for several reasons.

Medicine will be more expensive because generic substitutes will be restricted, even those already in use may be forced to be taken off the market.

On the issue of sovereignty, the WTO and UN will have the ability to have a say in US tax law and policy.

As someone who believes that one of the causes of global climate change is man-made: This deal will weaken current standards in our country and others. Stronger environmental standards for Vietnam cannot come at the expense of weakening environmental laws in the US, Japan and other developed nations.

As an Advocate for living Wages: Estimates of the U.S. economic gains from the TPP are very small about 0.13 percent of GDP by 2025. Working families will be hurt by TPP.

Other issues:Are there other issues you want to address?

Many of us believe our government is no longer working for us. It seems the cost of everything is rising and we are working harder just to keep up. We want some common sense in those we elect. We believe in the 2nd amendment but we don’t want terrorists, criminals or those who would misuse guns to be able to get their hands on them. We know that there are some programs that need cutting but we also know that there are many who don’t pay their fair share. It’s impossible to solve the many issues we face with a congress that’s always on recess so we expect them to work as hard as we do. If you are happy with the direction the country is heading then vote for the incumbent because he promises more of the same. If not then I would be honored to have your vote.

Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.

As a 20 year union Iron Worker I’m a supporter of collective bargaining and workers’ rights. I’m also a veteran having flown helicopters and was a helicopter pilot trainer. I spent 7 years serving my country in the U.S. Army. I graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth (go Bulldogs!) and received a law enforcement certificate from Hibbing Tech.