Monday, October 15, 2012
Niki Tsongas "I absolutely believe people are better off,"
DEVENS
-- The difference between U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas and challenger Jon Golnik was
clear by the time they answered the first question during an hourlong debate
Wednesday night: , October 10th 2012
Are people better off
than they were two years ago?
"I
think the answer to that question is no, they are not," Golnik, a Carlisle
Republican, said, citing what he called chronically high unemployment rates and
spikes in gas and food prices.
"I absolutely believe people are better off," Tsongas, a Lowell Democrat, said, pointing to
31 consecutive months of private-sector job growth that she attributed to the
federal stimulus program. "We are on a path, but is there more to do? You
bet there's more to do."
Tsongas
and Golnik also debated changes they'd make to the federal tax code, ideas for
creating jobs, the Affordable Care Act, Social Security, gridlock in Congress,
and how to deal with a nuclear-armed Iran. Golnik, who was the more aggressive of the two, attacked
Tsongas' history of voting with her party on nearly every vote, and Tsongas
defended her votes in favor of key legislation on health care and the stimulus,
and her work with businesses in the district.
Tsongas
praised the effects of government action on the economy, health care and
alternative energy subsidies, while Golnik called for repealing the Affordable
Care Act, scaling back regulation on businesses and offering those entering the
workforce to invest in private accounts as an alternative to Social Security.
The
debate, held at the Hilton Garden Inn, was sponsored by MediaNews Group, the
parent company of The Sun and the Sentinel & Enterprise, and by the Nashoba
Valley Chamber of Commerce.
One
criticism Golnik returned to a few times was Tsongas' vote in favor of the
Affordable Care Act, which includes a medical-device excise tax that Golnik
said will cost three businesses alone in the 3rd Congressional District $100
million a year. Tsongas said that she did oppose the medical-device tax when it
was brought to vote by itself but wouldn't vote against the entire health-care
program because of that one component.
"I
wasn't going to throw out the baby with the bath water," she said.
Tsongas
called for ending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans
and extending it for everyone else, while Golnik said he would make the Bush
tax cuts permanent. When asked about subsidies for alternative-energy
companies, Tsongas pointed to successes such as a Lawrence company and said
only three such companies have failed. Golnik called for an end to the
subsidies, saying that if they companies were viable, they'd be able to get
funding from private-sector sources and not the government.
The
stark difference between the candidates was also clear when they were asked
what measures they'd take to add jobs to the economy.
Tsongas
talked about successes when companies worked in partnership with the
government, including a Lawrence company that planned to move to North Carolina
but is now staying after working with the federal, state and local governments.
She also defended government regulation on what had been a "Wild
West" Wall Street. Golnik said companies have $2 trillion on their balance
sheets but are afraid to hire workers because of uncertainty thanks to
political interference, and said too many regulations stifle the economy by
imposing too many restrictions on small businesses.
Golnik
defeated Tom Weaver of Westford in the September primary by more than a 2-to-1
margin. He lost to Tsongas in the 2010 election, 55 percent to 42. Tsongas,
unchallenged in the Democratic primary, has been in office since winning a
special election in 2007.
The
debate was moderated by Daniel Asquino, president of Mount Wachusett Community
College, and included questions from three panelists: Chris Camire, the
Sentinel & Enterprise's Statehouse reporter; Bill Kole, the Associated
Press New England bureau chief; and Marisa Donelan, the city editor of the
Sentinel & Enterprise.
Niki Tsongas Ratings
As a general rule of thumb, ANY entity needing OUR tax dollars to exist, rate Ms. Tsongas very high. Any entity that protects your freedom or wallet or business rates her very low!
Abortion Issues
Agriculture Issues
Animal Rights and Wildlife Issues
Budget, Spending and Taxes
Business and Consumers
Campaign Finance and Election Issues
| 2008-2011 | Global Exchange - Percent Loyalty to Finance, Insurance, Real Estate Lobby | 29% |
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Congressional and Legislative Affairs
| 2008-2011 | Global Exchange - Percent Loyalty to Finance, Insurance, Real Estate Lobby | 29% |
| 2007-2008 | Grassroots Netroots Alliance - Positions | 0% |
Conservative
Education
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| 2009 | Women Employed - Positions | 50% |
| 2008 | Latin America Working Group - Positions | 25% |
Environmental Issues
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| 2011 | The Children's Health Fund - Positions (House Only) | 100% |
| 2010 | Vote Kids - Positions | 100% |
| 2009-2010 | American Family Association - Positions | 0% |
| 2009-2010 | Children's Defense Fund - Positions | 100% |
| 2009-2010 | School Nutrition Association - Positions (House Only) | 100% |
| 2009 | The Children's Health Fund - Positions | 66% |
| 2009 | Vote Kids - Positions | 100% |
| 2007-2008 | Family Research Council - Positions | 50% |
| 2007-2008 | School Nutrition Association - Positions | 0% |
| 2007-2008 | The Arc - Positions | 50% |
| 2007 | Children's Defense Fund - Positions | 100% |
| 2007 | Family Research Council - Positions | 0 |
| 2007 | League of Women Voters - Children's Health Issues Score | 100% |
Federal, State, and Local Relations
| 2009 | The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association - Positions | 20% |
Foreign Aid and Policy Issues
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Labor
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Social Issues
Technology and Communication
| 2012 | Social Media Today - Positions (Presidential) | % |
| 2007-2008 | Information Technology Industry Council - Positions | 75% |
| 2007 | Computer & Communications Industry Association - Positions | 67% |
Trade Issues
Veterans Issues
| 2011 | Vietnam Veterans of America - Positions | 100% |
| 2009 | Disabled American Veterans - House of Representatives Score | 100% |
Welfare and Poverty
Women's Issues
| 2011 | Federally Employed Women - Positions | 100% |
| 2010 | Federally Employed Women - Positions | 60% |
| 2009 | Federally Employed Women - Positions | 100% |
| 2009 | Women Employed - Positions | 50% |
| 2007-2008 | Federally Employed Women - Equality in Government Score | 70 |
| 2007-2008 | National Organization for Women - Positions | 100% |
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