I sent out a list of ten questions to the candidates in the CA-52 primary, and the first to respond is Vickie Butcher. The other two (Or one, I'm not sure Jim Hester's even still in this, my email came back as undeliverable.) Are still welcome to respond, and when they do, I'll happily post their responses as well. I'm very happy that Vickie responded so promptly, it shows a willingness to engage the netroots, and the fact that someone from her staff called me to let me know they got the email and would respond was an extra cool ego boost for me. That said, join me below the fold as we get to know Vickie Butcher.
1. Why do you feel you’re the best candidate to represent our district?
There are several reasons why I believe I’m the strongest candidate to win the general election in November and represent the people in my community—not the special interests.
First, I have a long history of serving my community including extensive leadership experience at the national, international, state and local levels. I’ve lived in this district for 27 years, along with my husband, Dr. Richard O. Butcher, a retired Naval Officer and Viet Nam veteran. Together, we have devoted our lives to healthcare reform. I served as President of the National Medical Association Auxiliary, as well as heading state and medical auxiliaries, working to bring healthcare to those in need. I won a consumer award for my service on FDA medical panels. As founder and executive director of Water for Children Africa, an international nonprofit, I’ve met with world leaders and led efforts to bring clean water and medicines to people in 15 nations. I received the NAACP 2007 Humanitarian Award, was named March of Dimes Mother of the Year, and received the United Nations Medaille d’Excellence for my service on a United Nations peacemaking panel in Geneva.
Locally, I taught deaf students and later, civics and political science at high schools and community colleges in the Grossmont districts. I obtained my law degree after my fifth child was born, worked in local courts, and twice chaired the El Cajon Planning Commission. I served on the California Water Quality Board and chaired a county human relations commission. I’ve been president of Rotary and World Affairs Council.
I’ve owned small businesses and organized 11 international business and trade conferences, also helping American small businesses with free trade agreements to assist farmers in Kenya through he U.S. Commerce Department. I have expertise in healthcare reform, education, business and international relations that my opponents lack.
Second, I understand the needs of people who are struggling in today’s tough economic times, and will work hard to restore peace, prosperity, and opportunities for all Americans. I grew up in a working class family and have overcome adversity. My grandfather was lynched. My father was sent away as a child to escape racial violence. was raised in my family’s grocery business, living over a store. As a teen, I heard Martin Luther King, Jr. speak and was inspired to successfully challenge segregation, integrating a diner in my neighborhood. I fought for civil rights and voting rights, and I’ve been fighting for what’s right ever since. My integrity cannot be bought. That’s why I’m endorsed by the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Chair of the House ethics committee.
A poll by Barack Obama’s pollster shows that in the 52nd Congressional District, honesty and integrity are the top characteristics that voters want in a Congressional candidate, followed by understanding of the struggles faced by the middle class. I am ideally suited to appeal to these voters.
Third, my issues resonate with voters here. Forty percent of working people in my district have no healthcare. I have the expertise in healthcare reform to be a strong voice fighting to win affordable, universal healthcare for all Americans. Voters polled are also deeply concerned about the Iraq War. I will bring our troops home from Iraq and invest in revitalizing our economy through programs such as training in green collar sustainable energy jobs. Finally, the three worst wildfires in California history all started in my district, forcing half a million people to evacuate last year. I will provide federal leadership to prevent such tragedies in the future through pre-planning and early, rapid response to protect people in my district.
Fourth, our Democratic presidential nominee will be either an African-
American or a woman. As an African-American woman, I am the best-positioned candidate to ride the coattails of either, appealing to the same type of voters who are being energized and inspired to vote for Barack Obama or Hilary Clinton. Demographics in my district have changed. There are many more minorities than in the past. Moreover, Obama’s candidacy has broken the racial barrier, showing that a strong African-American candidate who offers hope, inspiration and competence can win all demographic groups, including women, liberals, moderates and even some conservative white voters.
Fifth, I am running a strong campaign to win. I have a national campaign manager who worked on the Kerry-Edwards campaign and other federal races. I have an experienced staff and a large, enthusiastic volunteer force. I have many friends and supporters in the community through my long and active record of community leaderships. Our campaign is doing extensive community outreach including outreach to Latino voters, African-Americans, students, educators, medical and legal professionals, business, labor, and more. Our recent fundraisers have been successful and we are taking our campaign to a national level. We welcome and invite support from readers of Daily Kos, who can learn more about my candidacy, volunteer or make a donation at www.votevickiebutcher.com.
2. What is your view on the current FISA debate, particulary in regards to telecom immunity?
I oppose warrantless spying on Americans. The government already has tools to access any information by following the law, yet the Bush administration over-reached thouse boundaries and failed to protect American citizens. We must not allow the government to invade our privacy by reading our e-mails and eavesdropping on our phone conversations without reasonable cause. Telecommunications companies that broke the law by allowing warrantless spying on Americans must be held accountable and should not be granted immunity.
3. Should waterboarding be considered a valid, and legal, interrogation technique?
No, waterboarding is torture and must never be condoned, as it is a violation of international law including the Geneva conventions.
4. Your view on the use of private contractors, such as Blackwater, in a war zone?
I am deeply disturbed by the lack of accountability of these private contractors and believe we should revisit our country’s policies to eliminate any “need” for such contractors. When we send our troops overseas for three or four deployments, we are stretching our military forces too thin. Now our government is pulling people out of hospitals, even for treatment of severe conditions including bipolar disorder, homicidal and suicidal tendencies and sending them back to Iraq. We are woefully short of personnel and our soldiers are paying the price. But turning to unaccountable private contractors is not the answer—particularly contractors with records of abuses. The role of security and other vital functions should be filled by American military personnel, not contractors unaccountable under federal law.
5. How do you feel about the Blackwater training facility planned for Potrero? I know that Potrero’s outside of our district, but it will impact residents of CA-52.
I would support Congressman Filner’s bill to restrict military contractors to military bases or other federal property, but I would go farther. I do not believe our country should be outsourcing military jobs to private contractors, particularly one with a record of violence and unaccountability such as Blackwater’s. I also believe Blackwater should be held accountable for its actions, and would oppose further federal contracts with this company.
Blackwater does not belong in San Diego County and particularly, not in Potrero. We must be sensitive to the devastation in this community from the recent Harris wildfire and should not allow Blackwater with its armory, shooting ranges and vehicle training track, all of which pose fire risks to the community.
6. Your view on the SCHIP debate?
It is wrong for our President to veto the SCHIP bill, and for Congressman Duncan Hunter to vote note on SCHIP, which would have provided healthcare benefits to 60,000 children right here in San Diego County. I strongly support making healthcare affordable and available for all Americans, especially children.
7. Who do you most admire?
I was inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr. to challenge segregation, and admired his leadership not only in Civil Rights, but standing up for voting rights, rights of working people, and calling for an end to a divisive war in Viet Nam. Today, our nation is once again torn by war, hate speech is on the rise, rights of working people are being eroded, and election integrity is a national issue. We need leaders with courage and vision to protect these hard-fought rights.
I also admire my close friend, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and Senator Barbara Boxer for speaking out and challenging the Ohio electors after the 2004 presidential election. I believe we must make election integrity a priority and require paper ballots, hand-counted at the polls on election night. Like these two brave women, I will fight to have every vote counted.
8. What do you feel is the best way to stimulate our economy?
The current administration has run up the worst deficit in U.S. history, coupled with the highest inflation in 19 years. Americans are struggling to make ends meet amid rising fuel, food and housing costs. Many are facing foreclosures on their homes. Meanwhile, wages have been eroded and many jobs have shifted overseas.
I support revitalizing our economy through creation of green collar industries to move us toward sustainability, also tapping into Amercans’ creativity and innovation. We should take steps to stop the outsourcing of good jobs overseas, by revisiting our trade agreements to include labor and environmental standards. We also need a sensible tax stimulus to help middle class and those in poverty. The President’s State of the Union proposal called for making tax breaks permanent for millionaires, giving $187,000 each to 15 million millionaires while offering a token $20 each to the 15 million poor children in America. This is upside-down thinking. A tax incentive to help working people, the poor, and seniors on fixed incomes is a better way to jump-start consumer spending short-term and stimulate the economy.
9. What is your strongest criticism of Duncan Hunter Jr.?
His inexperience. Duncan Hunter Jr. has served his country honorably as a soldier in Afghanistan, but lacks any other substantive experience needed to fill his father’s seat in Congress. Where is his experience in healthcare reform, education, business, or international relations? He is relying on his father’s name recognition to win – but as we’ve seen with the current President, that `qualification’ is no guarantee of leadership skills!
10. What are our thoughts on changing the national anthem to “Low Rider?”
While it’s tempting to poke fun at the declines we’ve seen under this administration, the better approach is to restore our nation’s image among our allies as a force for good, restore our civil liberties, revitalize our economy, and assure opportunities for all Americans—so that we can take pride in our Star-Spangled Banner.