League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Hamilton, Butler County, OH November 2, 2010 Election
	Steve Driehaus Answers Questions Candidate for US Representative; District 1

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit)

As an elected official, I have a proven track record as a strong voice for my community's interests and values capable of delivering results. As a member of Congress, I have supported efforts to turn around our economy, enact critical reforms, and lay the groundwork for future prosperity.

2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)

Job creation remains our top priority. We need to encourage small businesses to create jobs and invest in the economy. We can help accomplish this goal by passing legislation to make it easier for small businesses to borrow money. I will continue working across the aisle to secure resources and move forward with the Brent Spence Bridge improvement. We have won the support of top legislators in Congress and must continue to advocate for this project. I will keep fighting to sustain the Joint Strike Fighter competitive engine program, which is responsible for nearly 1,000 local jobs at GE Aviation.

3. What is the role of the federal government in regulating the private sector? (150 word limit)

The private sector creates jobs, drives competition, and grows our economy, and must remain free to do so. But the private sector does not ensure that Americans enjoy reasonable protections; that is the role the government must play. Under past leadership, our elected officials stood idly by as Wall Street put our economy at risk through reckless practices and unsound investments. The mortgage crisis and the recession were the direct results of unchecked markets that offered no protection to everyday consumers. Predatory lending and risky behavior turned our economy into a house of cards, and when the house collapsed, millions of Americans were turned out of their homes and our economy sunk into the worst recession in generations. The Wall Street reform we passed in Congress puts in place commonsense protections while allowing the private sector to do what it does best.

4. How will you address the challenges and opportunities to the United States posed by unauthorized immigrants? (150 word limit)

I believe we must do whatever it takes to secure our borders to limit the number of immigrants entering our country illegally, and we must enact comprehensive immigration reform. In recent years, leaders of both political parties supported solutions that would have allowed undocumented immigrants to suffer a penalty, go to the back of the line, and move forward with a legal naturalization process. This is a reasonable approach to a difficult problem, and I look forward to working in the next Congress to tackle this issue.

5. What specific functions of the federal government can be performed better by contracting with the private sector? What specific functions of the federal government should not be contracted out to the private sector? (150 word limit)

Government contracting helps ensure competition in our procurement process, which reduces taxpayer costs and improves quality of products. A good example is the Joint Strike Fighter competitive engine program. We know from history that a competitive propulsion system for our military aircraft promises long-term cost savings, reduced delivery time, and more reliable equipment for our military. That's one reason I've fought to keep this program intact. Contracting also represents important investments in the private sector. Again, the Joint Strike Fighter program is responsible for nearly 1,000 jobs in greater Cincinnati. These are not government jobs, but good, high-paying, private-sector jobs directly tied to government contracting. However, contractors should not perform work that is inherently the government's responsibility, such as providing security for our nation and its people. For instance, contractors should not be responsible for security of government buildings and installations, which occurred far too frequently under previous leadership.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 4, 2010 08:33
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