Candidates for U S House of Representatives, 3rd Congressional District
November 2, 2010 General Election
CANDIDATE Elliott “Spike” Maynard
COUNTY OF RESIDENCE Mingo
PARTY Republican
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Elliott “Spike” Maynard is an Air Force veteran, where he served in reconnaissance during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Maynard was the Managing Director of the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce and practiced law. In 1976, Maynard was elected as a Prosecuting Attorney for Mingo County. He was appointed by Governor Rockefeller to the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit and was twice elected (exceeded word limit)
QUESTION 1. What should the federal government do about the growing economic disparity between the middle class and the well-to-do?
ANSWER . Congress must stop spending money we don’t have. Huge debt devastates our middle class. Stop raising taxes. No new taxes on anyone. Taxes are middle class job killers. Hands off Social Security. No cuts of any kind in social security benefits. Repeal Obamacare. Restore the $500 billion Congress took from our seniors in Medicare cuts. Stop bailouts and quit sending (exceeded word limit)
QUESTION 2. How will you balance the continuing costs of the military with the costs of domestic needs?
ANSWER. I support a strong military. I am a military veteran. As a veteran, I believe we must give our veterans the very best benefits, especially medical care, and never cut benefits or payments. Combat troops in Afghanistan and Iraq deserve the finest weapons and support no matter what it costs. We must never finance any domestic spending program at the expense of the lives (exceeded word limit)
QUESTION 3. What measures should Congress enact to make our educational system more competitive with other developed nations?
ANSWER. First, Congress must not simply throw money at the problem. We need to teach more science, math and language arts. We need standards to measure skills of both students and teachers. Schools which do not perform should be closed. Most urgently, we need to restore order and discipline in the classroom and zero tolerance for drugs and school violence.
CANDIDATE Nick J. Rahall II
COUNTY OF RESIDENCE Raleigh
PARTY Democratic
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
I have had the honor of representing the people of southern West Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1976. I have fought for and will continue to fight for jobs, our seniors, our veterans, for better educational opportunities for our children and for working men and women while seeking improvements in our public works, roads and highways.
QUESTION 1. What should the federal government do about the growing economic disparity between the middle class and the well-to-do?
ANSWER . America cannot afford the cuts in and privatizing Social Security and give-aways to the super-rich that Republican leaders in Washington support. These policies led to the failures of Wall Street and the housing market collapse. I support building up our domestic manufacturing base, enforcing Buy American policies, closing tax loopholes that encourage outsourcing American jobs overseas and preserving Social Security.
QUESTION 2. How will you balance the continuing costs of the military with the costs of domestic needs?
ANSWER. The last Administration cut domestic spending to increase defense spending and reduce taxes for the wealthiest, while axing funding for mine safety inspectors, highways, and public services. Waste, fraud, and abuse resulted at the Pentagon. That must end. We can ensure sufficient funds for our troops to be well-trained and equipped, while providing more sufficient funding levels for domestic needs.
QUESTION 3. What measures should Congress enact to make our educational system more competitive with other developed nations?
ANSWER Congress should reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to secure educational improvements for all kids – particularly those in rural areas. It will also help to recruit and reward quality teachers. We must increase access to higher education through full funding of Pell grant providing greater access to affordable educational loans, and creating incentives for students to attend college.