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LWV League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation

Smart Voter
Kings, New York, Queens Counties, NY November 7, 2006 Election
Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
United States Representative; District 12


The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of New York State and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Iraq, Medicare Drug, Civil Rights

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


1. The American occupation in Iraq continues to be enormously costly in dollars and in lives. What is your position on how our government should proceed?*

Answer from Allan Romaguera:

I believe that we had no chose but to fight the terrorists on their soil and not in the Streets of America. However, the amount of soldiers and money that is spends on the troops to properly protect their lives and their health was insufficient. And the funds that are being spent are grossly being misspent

Answer from Nydia M. Velazquez:

This country can continue to assist Iraq protect itself by providing resources and equipment. However, our troops have done their job and it is time to bring them home. The American government needs to establish a time line for withdrawal from Iraq. I have co-sponsored a number of bills with this goal in mind.


2. What is your impression of the roll-out of the Medicare Prescription Drug program so far, and what changes would you propose to make it better?*

Answer from Nydia M. Velazquez:

The Medicare Prescription Drug program falls short of providing a comprehensive prescription drug plan for our seniors. We need to allow for the government to negotiate lower drug prices and make prescription drugs more affordable. Also, we need to encourage re importation of drugs in safe and effective manner.

Answer from Allan Romaguera:

I believe that the program is a wind fall for the Pharmaceuticals Industry. I can not phantom why our people should pay the highest prices in the world. Again I must state that we must roll back the tax breaks for the richest to pay for this program. And I believe that we must institute a National Health Care policy to care for all of our citizens equally.


3. Where do you stand on the current balance between security and civil rights?*

Answer from Allan Romaguera:

At the present time it is at an acceptable level with the current checks and balances working properly. But I do fear that if it gets any stricter and with the economy sure to tank as the gap between the rich and the poor and now the middle class and the sifting of jobs all over the world.

Answer from Nydia M. Velazquez:

The U.S. needs a national security policy that will protect this country from further terrorist attacks. Enacting strong and effective homeland security measures, however, does not automatically mean civil rights must be eroded. We need to implement proposed reforms that will safeguard our nation while protecting our principles of liberty and justice.


Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 
  • Original answers for a published Voters Guide were limited to 50 words and are presented as submitted. Candidates have since been invited to supply answers of any length for the Web.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.


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Created: January 4, 2007 09:46 PST
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