League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Citizen Education Fund
	Worcester, Hampden, Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, Middlesex Counties, MA September 16, 2008 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues United States Representative; District 1; Democratic Party

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Massaschusetts and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Trade and Unemployment, Global Warning, National Security Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What is the government's role in regulating trade and to what degree is that role dependent on the current balance of trade and the rate of unemployment in the United States? Answer from John W. Olver: Correcting trade imbalances should be a primary foucs of the federal trade representative and the Congress when reviewing and planning potential trade agreements. Also paramount is that our trading partners respect and honor human rights, and maintain high and/or improving environmental and labor standards. 2. Scientists warn that the U.S must begin to cut global warming pollution during the next 10 years and reduce pollution by 60%-80% by 2050 in order to mitigate the most severe impacts of global warming. What three legislative proposals would you present to reduce global warming's short-term and long-effects? Answer from John W. Olver: 1. Mandatory reductions in CO2 emissions for industry and automobiles. 2. Increased fuel effeciency for public and private vehicles in the U.S. 3. Increase in renewable energy sources for electric power, with a corresponding decrease in burning fossil fuels. 4. Increased transit options and smart growth urban and suburban planning to reduce car travel by commuters. 3. What do you believe are the most pertinent threats to national security and what do you propose to do about these threats? Answer from John W. Olver: Terrorist attacks on Americans and American property at home and abroad remains a major threat to our nation's security. To reduce this threat, the U.S. must restore its reputation in the world to its pre-Iraq war status and forge parterships based on international cooperation in order to shut down terrorists before they strike. The related problems of the overabundance of refugees, drought, famine, the HIV/AIDS crisis, and ongoing civil strife in developing countries also presents both security and economic problems for the U.S. and its allies in Europe. The U.S. must put more of its resources into addressing these problems and less into long-term military occupations. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.