Jim Hurysz (Ind.)
AGE: 59
HOMETOWN: Arlington
FAMILY: Married, No Children
EDUCATION: Attended The University of Rochester
OCCUPATION: Quality Assurance Consultant
EMPLOYMENT: Self-Employed
CAMPAIGN ADDRESS: Jim Hurysz for Congress, PO Box 5191, Arlington Va. 22205
CAMPAIGN PHONE: 571-214-2084
WEBSITE: www.jh4congress.us
E-MAIL: jh4congress@aol.com
BEST BOOK YOU READ THIS YEAR: American Theocracy
FAVORITE MOVIE: Breaking Away
QUALIFICATIONS: As a Quality Assurance Consultant for over 20 years, I'm involved in obtaining the best possible outcomes from complex processes at the least cost. I'll bring that experience to Congress. I'm not taking campaign contributions from PACs, special interests or lobbyists, so I'll be able to spend 100 percent of my time in Congress working for you.
1. Was the Iraq war a mistake? Why or why not?
The Iraq conflict has been a dismal failure for the United States. The decision to invade Iraq was based on bad information and Bush Administration lies. And the presence of U.S. troops only perpetuates unrest. It's time for the United States to broker agreements so that the Third World democracies the United States has been helping for 60 years can take over policing Iraq, with the cost paid for by future revenues from Iraq's vast oil reserves.
2. Five years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, what more could be done to protect America? What limits on civil liberties are acceptable?
Border security must be greatly strengthened, with the Border Patrol and Coast Guard significantly expanded. The United States must start working for peace rather than becoming involved in regional conflicts. Muslim-Americans and Arab-Americans tell me that they fear our government and say there is widespread discrimination against them. Our government and its agencies must be held accountable for protecting constitutionally protected civil liberties.
3. What is the nation's best long-term strategy in combating terrorism?
The United States must effectively use intelligence and diplomacy to combat terrorism.
4. In light of recent corruption scandals in Congress, do you believe reforms are needed? What would you propose?
I'm not taking campaign contributions from PACs, lobbies, and special interests. I will sponsor legislation to make all information about Congressional earmarks public, and reform abuses in the earmarking process. I will sponsor legislation to strengthen Congressional ethical standards and limit the amount that lobbyists can spend on influencing Congress.
5. What should be done about the 45 million Americans who are living without health insurance?
I will sponsor and co-sponsor legislation so the United States can begin moving to a single payer national health insurance system, modeled on Medicare, as soon as possible.
6. President Bush's signature education law, No Child Left Behind, requires high-stakes testing in all public schools. What is your view of the law? Should it be reformed? Why or why not?
No Child Left Behind is an under-funded federal mandate with complex rules that place unfair burdens on school districts with poor and large immigrant student populations. I will sponsor and co-sponsor legislation to repeal NCLB and instead fund increased instruction and educational infrastructure. I favor federally funded year around instruction for K-12 students, if that is necessary for student achievement.
7. The Congressional Budget Office is projecting that the federal deficit will grow to $286 billion in 2007 and to $1.76 trillion over the next decade. How would you address this?
I will work to ensure that the United States uses its diplomatic and intelligence services to avoid becoming entangled in future regional conflicts. I will sponsor and co-sponsor legislation to move the federal budget process back to pay as you go. I'll work to aggressively cut waste and mismanagement in military weapons programs, and sponsor legislation that will curtail unnecessary domestic spending. I'll sponsor and co-sponsor legislation to find cures for expensive illnesses like HIV-AIDS, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and arthritis. I will vote to repeal unfair tax breaks for very wealthy persons and corporations
8. What is the best way to deal with the record high oil prices of recent years?
I will sponsor and co-sponsor legislation to increase tax incentives for conservation and energy efficiency, and use of renewable energy, especially solar energy. I will work to encourage more efficient use of motor vehicles and sponsor legislation to increase the funding for public transit systems like local and interurban rail.
9. While the economy has grown in the last five years, the wages of middle- and low-income Americans has stagnated. How would you address the income disparity between the very wealthy and the rest of the working America?
American corporations have benefited from a generous federal tax system. I will sponsor and co-sponsor legislation so corporate tax breaks benefit American workers. I will work to make Congress's pension system a national model for corporations and non-profit organizations.
10. Opinion polls suggest that the international community views the United States in a negative light. Does this matter? If so, what can the United States do to repair its standing with the rest of the world?
The United States can no longer afford to fight a regional war every 10-15 years at tremendous cost and with tremendous negative diplomatic consequences. I will work in Congress to ensure that the United States engages in long term and large-scale diplomatic efforts to resolve longstanding international problems.
For the following questions, please respond with a yes or no answer.
1. The minimum wage has been $5.15 since 1997. Is it time to increase it?
Yes
2. Congress is considering the elimination of the federal estate tax, which requires the wealthiest 2 percent of all Americans to pay taxes on inherited property. Do you believe the estate tax should be discontinued?
No
3. Is global warming real?
Yes
4. On Nov. 7, your name will appear on the same ballot as a proposed state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Considering the full text of the amendment, will you vote for it?
No
5. If President Bush's tax cuts are made permanent, $2.2 trillion would be added to the federal deficit over the next 10 years. Would you vote to extend the tax cuts past the 2010 expiration date?
No
6. Should the United States have higher fuel economy standards for vehicles?
Yes
7. Do you believe in evolution?
Yes
8. Should electronic voting machines be required to have verified voting paper trails?
Yes
9. Do you believe the sectarian violence in Iraq is a civil war?
Yes
10. Should the federal government fund stem cell research?
Yes
11. The United States is one of the few countries that has refused to sign a global ban on land mines. Would you vote to sign the treaty banning the use of land mines?
Yes
12. California has enacted the nation's toughest restrictions on air pollution, requiring a 25 percent reduction in carbon dioxide pollution. Should similar action be taken for the rest of the country?
Yes
13. Do you support "Net Neutrality," which would guarantee that every website on the Internet loads at an equal rate of speed?
Yes
14. Do you believe that Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 decision that overturned state laws banning abortion, should be overturned?
No
15. Would you support a guest worker program for illegal immigrants that would lead to citizenship?
No